https://g3min.org/book-review-the-puritans-in-africa-by-w-de-klerk/
Cantrell offers some insightful commentary regarding Afrikaner Theology and how it devolved into Apartheid. I'm not sure I buy the True/False Calvinism distinction though. First, there's the issue and question of Calvinism which is broad and difficult to define. Second, there is the Dutch Calvinist legacy and its heavy emphasis on an integrated culture - seen particularly in the thought of Abraham Kuyper.
https://mitchchase.substack.com/p/to-lead-quiet-and-peaceful-lives
It was refreshing to find this author focusing on the Neronic context of Paul's letter to Timothy. It's a critical point and one the seriously undercuts many of the common assumptions that reign in the Evangelical and Dominionist sphere.
The fact that these Evangelicals in Austria are reaching out to politicians did not particularly surprise me – but it does concern me.
https://churchandfamilylife.com/podcasts/6390cc89fad8bafe3a9ec787
At about the twelve minute mark we come to:
5. Be on a Budget
Budgets are very helpful, but contrary to the narrative being
provided, there are people who spend years trying to get that money set aside
for tires or whatever and can never get there. Life keeps happening and because
the margins are too tight, they can't meet those goals. Others have volatile
incomes – shift workers whose hours change every week, or those who are
self-employed. A sickness can throw everything off and then while you're trying
to get it back on track – a car repair comes up that you can't pay for.
Sometimes it can take months to get back on track, but by then something else
has likely happened. These people are not necessarily doing anything wrong –
they're simply struggling.
https://churchandfamilylife.com/podcasts/6390cc89fad8bafe3a9ec787
Contrary to its claims, this podcast seemingly exists to
proclaim the insufficiency of Scripture because not only is the doctrine of the
New Testament ignored when it comes to money, its applications and attitudes
about mammon, possessions, and worldliness are rejected and replaced by an opposite
set of values.
This represents the latest
installment of blind Evangelical leaders leading the blind. It was reposted at The
Aquila Report whose editors apparently thought it profound. And yet it
represents the kind of fatally flawed thinking that is not just misleading but
is becoming destructive.
If these people want to impact culture, this isn't the way.
This isn't being salt and light. This is capitulation. I'm not a Sabbatarian though
I will say the Church has always met on Sundays are there are doctrinal reasons
for doing so. It's not essential as the Church can certainly meet on other days
as well – and should. But Sunday worship, the first day of the week in
connection to the Resurrection, is ancient and found in the New Testament
itself.
I must say that I have a special loathing of all the 'Home
and Garden'-type television programmes. I don't have regular television but
I've seen them on occasion and I've seen clips via YouTube and the like. As one
who has connections to the world of home remodeling I can say the effect of
these shows has been disastrous. It has been very beneficial for the Big Box
outlets and the industry which sponsor the shows but in terms of society and
ethics – they have been destructive.
https://www.opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=504
According to the guidelines provided by the OPC, the pastor
is to be 'free from worldly care and employment'. And yet what this translates
into is that the pastor should make a salary commensurate with that of an upper
middle class professional.
Despite Trump's near panicked claims to the contrary, the witnesses that testify to have heard him say as much are credible. Trump's selfishness and self-absorption know no bounds. He cannot conceive of anyone believing in anything greater than one's self – let alone believing in it so strongly that they would be willing to sacrifice their lives for it. And thus to the bafflement and irritation of those serving under him, he as president of the United States impugned the memory of fallen soldiers buried on French soil.
