Articles | a New Testament church

February 14, 2010November 25, 2024

“…God keep our land, glorious and free…” – Do Canadians truly mean this petition?

As the Olympic torch made its way through the streets of Vancouver just hourrs before the opening ceremony of the winter games, huge crowds of Canadians spontaneously burst into song. The song of choice, “O Canada.”

Certainly, I have nothing against the song – I am a Canadian. I have sung “O Canada” several times in my life, and I expect to sing it several more, if the Lord continues to provide me with life and breath. However, I am curious at my fellow countrymen who sing our anthem with national pride, but fail to give glory to God, whom they petition, saying, “…God keep our land, glorious and free.”

February 7, 2010November 25, 2024

Philistine foreskins dowry for David’s wife. Answering the Atheist

Inquiry:

Answering the Atheist, Philistine foreskins, king David

How many Philistine foreskins did David buy his first wife with? Was it 100 (2 Samuel 3:14) or 200 (1 Samuel 18:27)? Is there a contradiction?

February 7, 2010November 25, 2024

Faith in the LORD and His Word: Do You Believe?

The 2010 Olympics will begin in Vancouver BC. Several television networks from around the world will be broadcasting the Games. CTV provides coverage in Canda. Canadian Olympians want to quickly lose the stigma of seldom winning gold on home soil. Over the past year, CTV ran an ad campaign entitled, “Do You Believe,” focusing on Canada’s athletes, their training and their Olympic dreams. It has been an interesting campaign and has certainly captured my interest. I applaud CTV.

January 17, 2010November 21, 2024

Sincere Skepticism: Critical Thinking And Analysis For Better Bible Interpretation

For several years in the early 2000s, we featured two articles each week in our bulletin. The first addresses a variety of topics, and the second is a response to supposed Bible contradictions. Some promote skepticism about the Bible, which I am ok with, so long as it is sincere skepticism. The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible website has been a major source of these alleged errors.

The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible preface says that it will,

…help those who believe in the Bible to honestly reconsider that belief. It will help those who are unfamiliar with the Bible to resist the temptation to believe. And it will help those who have already rejected the Bible defend their position.¹

January 3, 2010November 25, 2024

Being Renewed Day By Day: Pursuing Spiritual Growth And Transformation

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. “(2 Corinthians 4:16)

As the apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth, it was with the intent to encourage those who are struggling with difficulties in this life. Of course, he was not immune to trials. He revealed in his letter to the church at Corinth that he was

December 13, 2009November 21, 2024

Important Lessons from Jesus’ Baptism You Need to Know

The Lord’s baptism is of such importance that each gospel writer has left a record of it. Mark and Luke provide sparse details, while Matthew and John use Jesus’ bapttism to strongly affirm His deity and offer an authoritative example of baptism for all who wish to serve God.

September 20, 2009November 21, 2024

Celebrating Christmas: Exploring Whether It’s Faith or Folklore

In just 5 days, Christmas will be here. People celebrate this holiday in a variety of ways, so it is important to consider how those who want to be faithful to God should celebrate it.

September 20, 2009November 25, 2024

Psychic Reading: How Deception Outshines Truth In Today’s World

Across from our booth this year at the Kingston Fall Fair was a booth where folks could get a 15 minute psychic reading an an “auracature” for $20. It was rather discouraging to see a steady stream of souls duped into paying a man who knows nothing about them to answer a question which is pressing on their hearts. At the same time, there was but a slight trickle of people expressing interest in information about the Lord’s church and what He has done on our behalf. Discouraging, and yet revealing of the delinquent nature of our society.

February 1, 2009November 21, 2024

Genesis Musings: A Fresh Perspective On Some Beginning Things

In recent months, I have enjoyed studying the details of Genesis 1-11. My primary purpose was to note the relationship between the Genesis account of creation and the etymology of certain Chinese characters, resulting in material compiled as The Genesis Echo. During my research, I discovered a few interesting but seldom mentioned tidbits from the early chapters of Genesis. Consider some Genesis musings.

October 26, 2008November 20, 2024

Let Us Focus on Purity, Obedience, and Diligence for Spiritual Growth

Everyone knows to make a good sandwich taste better, you put “lettuce” on it. To make us spiritually better, or be salt of the earth, “let us” do certain things the apostles say. Notice the emphasis on “us,” as we have been set apart or sanctified by the blood of Christ. We are the chosen people of God.