What are the signs of a “false teacher?” It is one of those terms that Christians throw around too easily. Regularly, when you get down to it, it is actually shorthand for, “A person who disagrees with me on some disputable matter.” We can turn anyone into a false teacher, even if their teaching or conduct does not warrant it. To use the phrase this way is dishonouring and, to be honest, lazy. It’s something people reach for when they... Read more
In what can only be a newsflash for everyone, my marriage is not, in fact, perfect. I think it’s really good, don’t get me wrong. But we don’t agree on everything. We agree on most of the big things, which is one reason we got married. But there are other less important things that we don’t see eye to eye on. This being the case, nonetheless, we don’t fight constantly. We don’t get divorced, or even threaten it. Our home... Read more
What’s wrong with emotional worship? Absolutely nothing. Recently my wife and I watched “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” the new biopic about Whitney Houston. As with literally all musical biopics that I’ve ever seen, afterwards it sent me on a rabbit trail of Spotify and YouTube searches, as I always forget how many good songs artists have until I hear them performed in these movies. One scene in the movie was Whitney’s famous national anthem performance at the... Read more
Should Christians swear oaths? “I swear to God!” “I swear on my mother’s grave!” “I swear I’m telling you the truth! I swear!” We use such statements when we are trying to convince someone that we are being honest (especially if they are not believing us for whatever reason). These are not “oaths” in the traditional sense, but nonetheless, serve our purposes as we discuss this Anabaptist distinctive today. Jesus said the following in the Sermon on the Mount: 33 “Again,... Read more
“Aren’t we supposed to be feeling better by now?” So came the question from a pastor friend of mine recently. The effects of COVID-19 on our churches was the conversation. And after all, the worst of the effects of the pandemic on our churches have been over for a while now. But of course, as most of us are learning, even if we are more or less “done” with the pandemic’s effects our day-to-day life, we are most certainly not... Read more
Hang around Christians long enough, and soon enough you’ll likely hear some talk about “the world.” We Christians need to be careful about the Christianese-y side of that phrase – people outside the Church often don’t know what we mean. Are we talking about the planet? Like, earth? People within the Church also don’t always know what we mean. Especially the way we use it. “The world” is bad. The world is evil. The world is opposed to... Read more
This week is Passion Week. Image via Pixabay Christians by the millions, of all different tribes and tongues and nations across this world, will take time to reflect upon and connect with the Suffering Saviour. Our view of kings, of rulers, of leaders is that they come in strength, with royal majesty, with riches, and overcome by force. Our King, our Ruler, our Lord does not do these things in the typical way. Although strong, He is “crucified in weakness”... Read more
I recently ate at a restaurant and had the unique experience of seeing 1st Corinthians 13:1-8 written out on the wall, in both English and Greek. This is the infamous “love” passage, oft-used in wedding ceremonies. As I sat there eating, my eyes kept coming back to one part of the passage: “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge…but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1Cor 13.2) Image via Pixabay Gift of prophecy... Read more
A prayer to be prayed before opening up the Bible: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! I come to You today as I present myself before Your Word. I believe that all Scripture is God-breathed, and reveals to me Your nature, Your will, and Your ways. I know that I cannot comprehend it on my own, and I ask for the Spirit of God to open my eyes, my ears, my heart, and... Read more
Surely every Christian has asked the question, “What will Heaven be like?” Image via Pixabay In terms of the details, we are given precious little in Scripture, outside of a few accounts of people in the Word who experienced the fulness of Heaven (e.g. Isa 6; Rev 4-5; Rev 21-22, etc.) – although there is debate over how literally to take those passages. In the apostle Paul’s experience of being “caught up” to Heaven, he described it as a place... Read more
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