A Universalist preacher, who believed that no one would be excluded from heaven, held a series of meetings in a rural town. He was a gifted speaker and many people came to hear him. At the close of the meetings he announced, " Now if you would desire, I would like to come each Sabbath … Continue reading The Universalist and the Quaker
preaching
The difference between worship and entertainment
Worship is an act of homage, reverence and devotion paid to a deity. Entertainment is something that offers us amusement, excitement and a diversion from the mundane problems of our life. Worship is something we do; it implies an active participation in the act of worship. Entertainment is an activity where we are merely spectators. … Continue reading The difference between worship and entertainment
Timidity in the pulpit
If spiritual pastors are to refrain from saying anything that might ever, by any possibility, be misunderstood by anybody, they will end – as in fact many of them do – by never saying anything worth hearing. Incidentally, this particular brand of timidity is the besetting sin of the good churchmen. Dorothy Sayers
The foolishness of preaching
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is … Continue reading The foolishness of preaching
How can we be sure that Christ arose?
There are people in our day who say that Jesus never existed. However, there are references to Jesus in first century writings by both Jewish scholars and Roman officials. No one from that era ever denied that Jesus was a real person. The gospels are eye witness accounts and the authenticity of their accounts on … Continue reading How can we be sure that Christ arose?
Obeying the Great Commission in a time of persecution
This is my only joy and the desire of my heart, that I may extend the borders of the kingdom of God, make known the truth, reprove sin, teach righteousness, feed the hungry souls with the word of the Lord, lead the stray sheep to the right path, and win many souls for the Lord … Continue reading Obeying the Great Commission in a time of persecution
Is the trumpet giving an uncertain sound?
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (1 Corinthians 14:8-9) The issue in question when Paul wrote those … Continue reading Is the trumpet giving an uncertain sound?
Why I go to church on Sunday
It's not because the Fourth Commandment demands it. The Fourth Commandment says nothing at all about worship. It's not because the ceremonies of the church are a means of imparting the grace of God. I was a member of a liturgical church in my youth, and took part in the Eucharist every Sunday, as much … Continue reading Why I go to church on Sunday
Spiritual starvtion and suicide
[This was written 33 years ago, as you will note by the reference to the IRA hunger strikers.] "But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat" (Matt. 14:16). Jesus was out in the hills of Galilee, and the multitudes came there to him to be healed and to learn … Continue reading Spiritual starvtion and suicide
The suicide of civilizations
I have been pondering the thoughts that Jacques Ellul expressed in Presence au monde moderne. I don’t know if this book has ever been translated into English, as most of his other books have. This book was first published in 1948, shortly after World War II. The following excerpts are my translation. “Thus we see … Continue reading The suicide of civilizations
Flatlander Faith 