The horrors of Hallowe’en
Autumn can be a glorious time. We rejoice in fall colours, fresh starts, and relief from the summer’s heat. October is the peak. While the month begins with a rapid build-up to Thanksgiving, it quickly turns dark. This essay is a statement against Hallowe’en that explores the reality of the darkness in which depression and anxiety are endemic, souls are lost, and spirits are troubled, tossed about and tempted by the lies and lures of Satan. … Read more
Mired in Christendom but moving forward
Inside the uneasy theological symbiosis in the belly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada Christendom died a long time ago. But the church still operates as if it were alive. I say that because – … Read more
Mission: Orthodoxy
Tips and tales from the world of conservative, confessional friends. We’re better and stronger when we work together. That’s the ethos which propelled the formation and growth of conservative renewal movements in various mainline denominations. … Read more
Church planting: small communities
Small groups can achieve what large communities can’t. Part 3 in a series on church planting. … Read more
The Drumbeat in Advent
God gave the tools of culture to be used to lift our hearts to a loving connection with the Creator. … Read more
Lifting clergy burden
The Protestant Reformation, particularly in England, marked a major change in how pastoral care was done in churches. Up to that time, clergy in the Roman Catholic church focused their efforts on the sacraments: the worship service, confession, marriage, extreme unction and so forth. The priest was not the active component to such ministry, it was chiefly based on the grace bestowed by … Read more
Systems and Systematics
In this increasingly fractious world, the need to be grounded on systematic theology is greater than ever. … Read more
Reflections on faithful church life
Biblical teaching, lay leadership, and care for others are essential ingredients of faithful church life. … Read more
The Art of Healthy Dust-Shaking (3)
Is there ever a time when Christians should shake off the dust from their feet toward other Christians? Sometimes, a parting of the ways is inevitable – even in the church. … Read more
Bavinck in Brief: A Presbyterian Lifestyle
Sin’s consequences are powerful, but human will can be trained and reinforced. … Read more
Creative licence caution
There are many excellent television shows online these days that have a solid biblical foundation. What could go wrong by watching them? … Read more
Christ is the prescription for a sin-sick world
There are many things weighing the younger generation down. There is the ridiculous rise in the cost of living – especially housing. There are all the jobs that are contract rather than full-time with benefits and pensions. And because many of them are constantly plugged in – always in front of a screen of some type – they are being filled with doom and gloom from a multitude of issues. … Read more