Category Archives: Teaching

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

What’s Happening in Canada – Part 02? You Need to Know.

 

What’s Happening in Canada? Part 02 Churches on Fire – Literally

In a time where we are seeking the Lord for revival and reformation, there are literal fires happening in churches of Canada – ones that burn down buildings and threaten life. First, there was the jailing of pastors in the province of Alberta: Artur Pawlowski, Tim Stephens, and James Coates (Pawlowski has been subject to ‘contempt of court’ charges and vigilante harassment). Their crime: holding church services during Covid restrictions, even though essential businesses stayed open and were crowded.

Following this, came a spate of church fires. As of this writing, around 50 churches in Canada have been vandalised and ten completely torched. Most disheartening are the arson fires of migrant churches. St. George Coptic Church in Surrey, British Columbia, and Calgary Vietnamese Alliance Church, Alberta, were burned. St. George serves 500 families and feeds the homeless. There was a failed attempt to burn it a few days earlier, but this did not lead to better policing protection. What makes these particular fires heartbreaking is that the Egyptian Copts and Vietnamese Christians fled countries where religious persecution is a way of life. They came to Canada to find religious freedom. Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine that they would face persecution in their adopted country similar to homelands they left.

Unfortunately, it appears that the media has been complicit in these attacks, both by what they have said and what they have not said. In fact, according to one source, the venom against Canadian Christian churches is being ‘media-fuelled.’

It has been known for a while that Canada between 1863-1998 sent indigenous children to Catholic and Anglican church schools to help them assimilate into Canadian society. Conditions could be poor and children died of disease or malnutrition. The churches were either negligent or had limited resources to combat the problem, especially in rural areas.

NOTE: This was neither an unknown situation nor was it only newsworthy this year. The Canadian government issued an apology in 2008 and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also did something similar in 2017. Although some graves may have been discovered, or rediscovered recently, it appears that there is more to the story that meets the eye.

So where is the outrage against the churches coming from? Not from the indigenous tribal leaders – they have condemned the arson in no uncertain terms. Indeed, indigenous Canadians are distressed by the church burnings because it is their church that has been vandalised.

The main protagonists are from the political Left, especially the media, who are masters of semantics. Media sources speak of ‘mass graves’ but the more accurate term is ‘unmarked graves’ (which includes graves were the markers are worn down or taken away). Just that phrase ‘mass graves’ alone was enough to give vandals a pretext to attack churches.

In short, we are seeing ‘anti-Christian hate crimes’ occurring in Canada

Media complicity is also found in silence. The American mainstream media has said next to nothing about the church burnings, newsworthy as they are. The sole exceptions were Tucker Carlson and Shannon Bream of Fox News.

The arsonists have received official cover, too. The head of the British Columbia civil liberties association uttered the phrase: Burn it all down. Other people of profile have tweeted their support of the arsonists. Even Prime Minister Trudeau has been less than helpful in this regard. It took him nearly a week before he said anything. Yes, he did condemn the arsons as ‘wrong’ and ‘unacceptable.’ Yet, within the next breathe he said he ‘understood’ the anger against the Catholic Church and federal government. As Raymond Ibrahim said, ‘So attacks on Christian churches are ‘unacceptable’ – but they’re understandable.’ Considering that these two words neutralise each other, Trudeau’s stance is impotent, his words meaningless.[1]

Of course, Trudeau should both condemn arson and support true justice for indigenous Canadians. But by giving more time focusing on the leftist recycled grievances instead of the damage and pain of church arson, he has inadvertently giving a political voice to arsonists, who are partaking in nothing less than criminal behavior.

Remember that the far Left wants big government and equity, while abolishing private property, nuclear family, and the church. These are the impediments to their long march.

How are we to respond? Canadian Christians should make their voices heard in their provincial capitals and in their parliament in Ottawa. British and American Christians have strong, codified rights in religious freedom. Nevertheless, this does not mean there will not be violations. When freedom of religion is infringed, it should not be tolerated. The push back should be now, or else it will be much harder to do so later.

Finally, Australia, a blessed and free country, has no written legal protection of religious freedom. Currently there is a bill in federal parliament called Religious Discrimination Bill. If you value your liberty to worship, don’t just email or write your parliamentarians – call them. It only takes a minute and has been known to be the most effective way for your voice to be heard – literally.

Next time, we will inspire you with some success stories in the fight for religious freedom.


[1] Raymond Ibrahim, Torching of Canadian Coptic Church ‘Unacceptable’ but ‘Understandable,’ Front-page Magazine, August 4, 2021.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

IN A MATTER OF MONTHS: A BRIEF MIDDLE EAST UPDATE

 

 

What a difference a few months can make. In the first half of 2021, there has been changes of government in the United States and Israel, and Iran has a new president. This part of the world, once dominated by great empires, then slumbering as a quiet backwater, has come front and centre in international attention.

IRAN: Let’s take a moment and focus on Iran, the world’s leading Shia Muslim country (the Shia represent 15% of global Islam and Sunnis 85%). This proud ancient nation has hegemonic ambitions in the region. Its means of gaining power is to make a ‘Shia crescent’ from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean. In one sense, it has already succeeded: four countries, to various decrees, are under Iranian oversight, including Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. The latter two countries are on the Mediterranean. Ultimately, Iran wants to export their revolution to the Sunni Arab nations.

Ebrahim Raisi is the newly-inaugurated president of Iran. His critics call him a ‘hardliner’ and ‘mass-murderer’ for his role in suppressing opponents of the regime, especially in the earlier years of the Islamic republic, which was founded in 1979 after ending a 2,500 year old monarchy.

LEBANON: Lebanon in particular is in the most dire condition of its history, with its currency devalued 90%, high unemployment … and then the August 2020 Beirut blast! This special nation, where Christians and Muslims are legally equal, is under the thumb of Iran.

In the last few years, Sunni Arab countries like the Gulf sheikhdoms, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, all quietly gravitated towards Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu as a counterweight, and nuclear umbrella, to Iran. This became even more apparent during the Trump administration, which spawned the Abrahamic Accords between Israel and Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and Morocco (the first Arab peace agreement with Israel since the 1994 treaty with Jordan; it’s the first multi-parties agreement, too).

Now, there are credible reports that Jordan is gravitating towards Iran and even Saudi Arabia is softening to its arch rival. Why the shift?

Two factors to consider:

1.       The Biden Administration: This administration has gone 180 degrees from the Middle Eastern policy of Donald Trump. First, they announced a unilateral withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. While there may be good arguments to leave a 20 year old combat zone, from Arab and Israeli eyes it makes the US and its allies look weak and unreliable. The current administration has restored funding, cut off by the Trump Administration, to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, without pre-conditions. It has eagerly sought to return to the Iran nuclear agreement, signed in 2015, yet cancelled by Trump in 2018. This means the lifting of sanctions on Iran and release of money. These actions have emboldened the Islamic Republic, undermined regional confidence in the US, and thus made nations like Jordan seek rapprochement with Tehran. Also, after several years of ceasefire, Hamas in the Gaza Strip felt emboldened enough to fire over 4,000 rockets into Israel. These things represent an unwelcome shift.

2.       The Bennett-Lapid Government: After twelve consecutive years of Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, a new government led by Naphtali Bennett (a former protege of Netanyahu), took office on 13 June 2021. Netanyahu became leader of the Parliamentary Opposition. Bennett, leader of the New Right Party, is more conservative than Netanyahu, however, he chose to lead of coalition of leftist parties, including the Arab bloc. His main partner is Yair Lapid, head of Yesh Atid (there is a future), who serves as foreign minister. Though described as a ‘moderate,’ Lapid pretty much sides with the Left on major issues. Netanyahu and the conservative Opposition, and probably some of Bennett’s own voters, are furious with him for siding with the Left. (Remember, a similar situation happened after the Australian federal election of 2010, when the Gillard Labor Government remained in power because of a coalition with two ‘conservative independents,’ Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott, to the aggravation of their respective constituencies).

What is the new government’s standing with the international community? In one sense, it is currently good. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodogan, a frequent vocal critic of Israel in the Netanyahu years, called new Israeli President (as of July 7, 2021) Isaac Herzog and had a lengthy chat. Lapid, as foreign minister, has already dealt with his counterparts in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and soon will visit Morocco. Bahrain’s prince called to congratulate the new government. In addition, after 19 years suspension, Israel has been given again its observer status with the African Union.

No question, Netanyahu made great strides at reaching out to the Arab world, while ignoring the consistent demands of the European Union (e.g. two-state solution, redivision of Jerusalem). Projecting strength, Israel offered the Arabs assistance on air defence, high tech, and cyber security. Yet, at the same time, Arab connections were kept low-key and there were few ‘photo op’s’ between Netanyahu and Arab leaders.

It is possible that the new government – which is fragile and its chances of survival to full term slim – may go ‘above ground’ in its diplomatic moves. Yet, by adopting dovish leftist policies, it makes Israel look less strong, less robust, and thus leading allies like Jordan into the arms of Iran. It may have been the twin-perceptions of weakness in the US and Israel that emboldened Hamas in the latest conflict.

The Book of Zechariah, chapters 12 and 14, predicts that in the very last days before the coming of Messiah, Son of David, Judah and Jerusalem would be the epicentre of international focus, controversy, and eventually, conflict. This is clearly coming to pass.

In any and all cases, it is time, as always, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6)

 

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Hard-Working Servant Messiah: Why Study the Gospel of Mark – Part 01

 

 INTRODUCTION TO THE 

     GOSPEL OF MARK 

It was the first of the four gospels to be written; it is also the shortest. Yet the Gospel of Mark is an indispensable account of the life, ministry, and death of Jesus the Messiah. It is very action packed; indeed, Jesus is rightly seen as a hard-working, active Messiah who preaches to the poor, heals the sick, casts out devils, raises the dead. As the Gospel of Matthew initially reached out to the Jewish people, with a great emphasis on fulfilled prophecy, Mark targeted the Romans – who respected power and action rather than Greek-style philosophising.

GREEK NAME OF MARK

Kata Markon – According to Mark. ‘

AUTHOR OF MARK

‘Mark’ may have been his Roman surname, since he was known as Yohannan or ‘John Mark.’ He was from Jerusalem and his mother Mary had a large house where believers met for prayer and fellowship. Mark may have been the young man in who followed Jesus to Gethsemane with a bed sheet wrapped around his body. Once discovered, he fled from the scene naked (Mark 14:51-52).

Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey, but deserted them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). When the second missionary trip was being organised, Paul and Barnabas disagreed so vehemently over the inclusion of Mark that they split (Acts 15:36-40).

John Mark was blessed with high-profile mentors: first it was Paul (Acts 13:1-13), then Barnabas (Acts 15:39), and finally he found a father figure in the apostle Peter, who refers to him as his ‘son’ (1 Peter 5:13). Even Paul had a change of heart over John Mark; in his last recorded words, he wanted the very one he rejected for the second missionary journey … to be brought to him, since Mark was ‘profitable for the ministry ‘(2 Timothy 4:11).

Despite his set backs, John Mark persevered and became the true ‘comeback kid.’ His greatest contribution was writing the gospel that bears his name. Because of Mark’s very close association with Peter, who would have shared with him many things, his Gospel is considered ‘the gospel according to Peter’ – what Peter would have written if he wrote a gospel. Church tradition says that he became the great apostle to Egypt and Africa.

PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN MARK

The four gospels have ‘metaphors:’ Matthew is a lion, representing the kingly Messiah;

Luke has the ‘perfect man,’ John is the eagle, emphasising the heavenly and spiritual of his Gospel. Mark is the ox, representing a strong, energetic, hardworking servant of the Lord.

THEME OF THE BOOK OF MARK

To present an active, robust, dedicated-to-duty Messiah; when Jesus comes into the picture, things get done quickly. The key word of Mark is eutheos (Greek), used 42 times, which means ‘immediately’ or ‘straightaway.’ Jesus is shown as a Man on-the-move in teaching, preaching, moving in spiritual gifts, and faithful to the end.

Because Mark is targeting the Romans, there is less emphasis on Jewish things like reference to the Law, holy days, fulfilled prophecy, and genealogies. The portrait of Christ in Mark is one to whom the Romans could relate to and respect.

KEY VERSES OF MARK

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? — Mark 8:34-37

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many — Mark 10:43-45

 

TO BE CONTINUED

 

 

 

 

 

Articles, Bible, Education, Faith, Prophecy, Teaching

The Eighth Commandment: More Than Ever – Part 03

 

The Eighth Commandment is so central to living a God-honoring life. It simply tells not to steal. Yet, stealing is practiced more and more, by the poor, the powerful, and those in-between. Theft is now on an industrial scale and uses variety of methods.

Covetousness can lead to stealing (we will learn more about this in the Tenth Commandment); defrauding people of what is rightly their’s is also stealing. Stealing does not merely involve the tangible; theft of intellectual property is just as real as taking any three-dimensional object. Large governments can cast an envious eye on private property wondering how to extract more revenue to pay for pet projects or a growing bureaucracy. While the Bible does accept taxation as an accepted practice of human government (give unto Caesar what is Caesar, Christ said in Matthew 22:21), there is a reason tax-collectors were despised in His day; they took more than they required and kept the difference. That’s why a penitent Zacchaeus offered to restore foretold to anyone he defrauded (Luke 19:8).

Other things to consider in upholding or violating the Eighth Commandment include:

Failure to pay: Failing or refusing to pay what one owes is theft. It’s one thing to be unable to pay and work out a repayment plan; it’s another thing to refuse payment altogether. Psalm 37:21 tells us the wicked borrow and do not pay again.

Co-Signing, guarantor or suretyship: If there is one thing that the Book of Proverbs warns against is surety or co-signing a loan (Proverbs 6; 22:26). Never agree to take responsibility for someone else’s debt; the horror stories of what follows are endless.

Contentment: We are commanded to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5), for godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). The lack of contentment leads to covetousness, theft, and sorrow.

Get a job: The New Testament tells us to steal no more, but do an honest day’s work and you will have something to give to the needy (Ephesians 4:28); stated more starkly, … if any would not work, neither should he eat’ — 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Imagine how much better off things would be if those who are able to work would do so.

Key to All Ten Commandments

How central is the prohibition against stealing? Does it really contain the other nine commandments? See for your self.

First Commandment: We are to worship and serve no other gods, except the Lord God Himself. Violating this steals the primacy that the Lord our God deserves in our lives; in other words, God should be Number One, period.

Second Commandment: The prohibition on idolatry. Worshipping the creation or a created thing steals the focus and glory which belongs to the invisible God.

Third Commandment: God’s Name is higher than any other and brings salvation (Acts 4:12). Using God’s Name in vain is stealing the reverence and awe it rightly deserves.

Fourth Commandment: Desecrating the sabbath steals the rest and refreshment intended for the individual. The focus on God, faith, and family, which should be our highest priority, is taken away, too.

Fifth Commandment: Dishonoring your parents, whom you can see, mirrors and amplifies dishonour of the Heavenly Father, whom you cannot see. Both the earthly and heavenly are denied the respect, gratitude and credit they rightly deserve.

Sixth Commandment: Murder is the stealing the life of another person.

Seventh Commandment: Adultery is the theft of someone’s intimacy, trust, virtue, vow. It is the vile breaking of the holy covenant and commitment that was promised on the wedding day. Marital love is stolen and carnal lust is put in its place.

Ninth commandment: False witness is another form of lying, and a major form of betrayal, stealing one’s reputation, dignity, livelihood, and peace.

Tenth commandment: Covetousness is the down payment for possible theft, defrauding another and endangering one’s soul, as do the violations of any of the other commandments.

If we will remind ourselves that theft in all its forms is wrong, and teach others likewise, think how much better off this world would be.

 

NEXT TIME: We will learn about the Ninth Commandment – and how precious truth really is.