Date: 7/4/21 Written by: Marlin Sommers “Slaves, submit to your earthly masters.” The injunction jars us. We know the evils of slavery. We wonder why the early church did not loudly and roundly condemn slavery. Why do the New Testament letters instead tell Christians how to live within the context…
A Look at Romans 12 and 13
A Look at Romans 12 and 13 June 5, 2021 Written by: Stephen Russell In today’s highly partisan environment it is easy for American believers to be carried away with the passionate belief that politics can be the solution to our nation’s problems. If only we could elect the right…
Planting an Anabaptist Church in a City
May 2, 2021 Written by: Allen Roth How does a twenty first century Anabaptist go about planting an Anabaptist church in a city? Is it even possible? First of all, let’s remember that Jesus Himself promised: “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18, emphasis mine). In the Great Commission, the…
The Lord’s Supper as Fellowship
The Lord’s Supper as Fellowship April 3, 2021 Written by: Marlin Sommers What happens at the Lord’s supper? What is the nature of this important Christian practice? Understandings vary widely. One view of the supper, which I consider both extreme and oversimplified, is that the loaf and cup become literally…
The Expression of Music
The Expression of Music March 7, 2021 Written by: Daniel Allgyer Music is an expression of the heart. Listen to the heart in the following scenes: A little girl, sitting on the hearth, happily singing, “With Daddy in the family, happy, happy home.” A youth group, circled in front of…
Covid19 Restrictions and Christian Brotherhood
February 14, 2021 Written by: Jerry Wadel As we all know, there are various opinions on how we should relate to the government and the various restrictions that have been put in place. As none of us have any experience with dealing with a pandemic before, we find ourselves in…
A Crisis Wasted?
February 6, 2021 Written by: Jerry Wadel It began for many of us like a rather normal year. There was the usual anticipation of spring and summer. Suddenly it seemed our world had become a quandary of unknowns, and a frantic search for facts and reason. We had witnessed flu…
Choosing Translations for Bible Study
January 2021 Written by: Marlin Sommers A preacher should have as much money in his library as in his pickup truck, or so says a pastoral advisor to my church. Those charged to regularly teach the scriptures need good tools for study. So do the rest of us. Not all…
Studying the Word of God
Written by: Frank Reed The Bible waits to be mined for its treasure. God intentionally hid some of these treasures so that they are only obtained by those who really desire Him and seek His truth. Those who seek, find; to those who knock, the door to the Scriptures will…