Mom used to tell the story of a poor farmer extolling the virtues of socialism to his neighbour who was just as poor. The setting was the depression years of the 1930’s. “If everyone who has more than they need would share with those who don't have enough, what a wonderful place this world would … Continue reading My Mom’s take on socialism
social gospel
Cultural Amnesia
[First posted nine years ago.] One hundred years ago, when the Social Gospel was well on the way to infiltrating and taking control of many of the major Christian denominations of North America, my father was already 24 years old. It has lately dawned on me that because I was born when he was 50 … Continue reading Cultural Amnesia
Strange Gospel
[First posted 10 years ago.] Approximately 300 years ago there arose a line of thought in pietistic Protestantism that God’s reign would progressively manifest itself through human action cooperating with God’s action. The belief that the gospel will gradually Christianize the world, bringing a reign of peace and harmony preceding the return of Christ, is … Continue reading Strange Gospel
Sin and the heart of man
It was long the belief in major Protestant denominations that the spread of the gospel throughout the world would lead to a betterment in moral and spiritual uprightness and finally lead to a golden age, a thousand years of worldwide peace, after which Christ would return. This teaching is called Postmillennialism and there are still … Continue reading Sin and the heart of man
We still need the ambulance down in the valley
Image by Gianni Crestani from Pixabay Every time there is a disaster, someone will say “there oughta be a law” to prevent such mayhem from ever happening again. Governments are happy to oblige, but is there any evidence the laws are helping? A poem that was often recited in the Christian school which my daughter attended was about … Continue reading We still need the ambulance down in the valley
In Search of the Age of Gold
From postmillennialism to the social gospel to saving the world from weather For lo!, the days are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold, When with the ever-circling years Comes round the age of gold When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendours fling, And the whole world give back the song Which now … Continue reading In Search of the Age of Gold
Consequences of a false gospel
Several weeks ago I wrote about the effect on education of René Descartes’ belief in the ability of the human mind to discover all truth through the exercise of reason. That belief has worked its way into every aspect of Western civilization. It is found in our media, our social institutions, our ideas about business, … Continue reading Consequences of a false gospel
Mennonites don’t have a social conscience!
During the first few years that we were members of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, my wife was often puzzled about why other church members were seemingly unmoved by problems and injustices in the world that moved her deeply. One day a light came on, and she said to me, “Mennonites don’t have … Continue reading Mennonites don’t have a social conscience!
Who am I?
It was in a little church near St Marys, Ontario, that my wife and I were baptized and became members of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. After the service, the minister who had baptized us advised us to “Just be yourselves.” That was a very kind and generous welcome, but I didn’t know … Continue reading Who am I?
Get out of the bus and walk
Sunday morning. Dad had come in with pails of steaming milk and was cranking the cream separator, Mom was getting breakfast ready and I was setting the table. Over the radio came the voice of Ernest Manning, telling us again how world events were shaping up just as foretold in the book of Daniel and … Continue reading Get out of the bus and walk
Flatlander Faith 