Posts by Tim Stephens (Page 10)
Dual Citizens, Constitution, and COVID
This year has been a cause for much reflection on the roles of state and church and their respective jurisdiction. We are citizens of the kingdom of God and citizens of Canada. I want to consider today this dual citizenship. Let’s begin by considering Paul the Apostle and the frequent opposition he faced. Paul in Philippi (Acts 16) Paul and Silas were opposed for causing a disturbance in the city through preaching the gospel. The crowds were enraged and the…
The Injustice of Lockdowns
Lockdowns, closures, and cancelations have gone on for seven months in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. In many jurisdictions in Canada (like Ontario and Quebec), restrictions are increasing. The same kind of restrictions may soon be coming to Alberta. Seven months in, we know more about the virus and the consequence of decisions designed to protect people—especially the most vulnerable. It is clear now that lockdowns, closures, and cancelations lasting months on end are not protecting our…
Someone was sick at church!
I admit it. The title to this email was click bait. As far as I know, no one at Fairview is sick with COVID or another contagious illness. Did the title make you fearful? Did you think, “I told you so!”? How did you react? My aim in writing is to remind us that we are entering fall. Cold and flu season will begin (adding to the virus already going around) and people will get sick. What will this mean…
Important Update Regarding Gathering
Starting this Sunday (August 9th) the downstairs basement will be setup with an audio/video feed from upstairs. This will allow the basement to be used as an area for those who feel comfortable with greater physical distancing, overflow when there isn’t enough room upstairs, or mothers with young children. Video will be available for the pastoral prayer and preaching, and audio will be available for the singing and for communion after the sermon.
Masks Revisited
Romans 13 and MasksRomans 13 is clear. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Romans 13:1-2). Most would understand that we ought to follow this teaching unless the government is requiring us to sin or forbidding what God has commanded. That is, “we must obey God rather…
Face Coverings
Face coverings have become a political and polarizing issue today. The range of opinions are legion yet there is a growing consensus among policy makers that masks should be mandatory in public. In Alberta, the province has shied away from making masks mandatory in public. Calgary City Council will make them mandatory effective August 1st. This new bylaw does apply to churches and other places of worship. What will our policy be as a church? As we gather for worship…
Regathering (Update)
May 28, 2020 I know that we are all eager to begin gathering as soon as possible. There was a members meeting on May 24th to discuss regathering. I heard from the members concerning my proposal to not strictly adhere to the government guidelines if they impede our worship of God (e.g., continuing to sing even though it is forbidden). I took time after that meeting to follow up and speak with those who did not speak at the meeting or were unable…
Regathering
May 21, 2020 You can click here to download the proposal to regather as a church in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The members of Fairview met together on May 24, 2020 to discuss this proposal. To watch the same presentation on video, see below.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
March 20, 2020 To Meet or Not to Meet. That is the question. I wanted to share with you the wrestling that has gone on in our minds as we deliberated over what the current COVID-19 pandemic means for our gathered time of worship. The Situation Our country and province has recently put a limit on gatherings. No more than 50 people are to meet together. This is not an attack against religious gatherings. All gatherings, sports, schools, conferences, and…
Cannabis Legal in Canada
Marijuana becomes legal across Canada this Wednesday, October 17th. As marijuana use becomes normalized—including a host of products containing THC (the active ingredient in marijuana)—how are Christians to react? Is it permissible for Christians to smoke marijuana or use any cannabis products? For these questions, like any other, we must turn to Scripture, God’s word and our authority as followers of Christ. Now, if you tried looking up smoking, marijuana, or cannabis in the Bible, your search would come up…
Why We Don’t Baptize Infants
The following four reasons give sufficient warrant to tell us that baptism should only be given to those who repent and believe and not infants. For a fuller treatment than the summary here, see the essay on the proper recipients of baptism here. 1. The “newness” of the new covenant Baptism is the sign of entrance into the new covenant. This is agreed to by both those who baptize infants and those who just baptize believers. Those who baptize infants…
The Proper Recipients of Baptism
Introduction From the time of the Reformation, the dispute has risen, sometimes to fever pitch, regarding the proper recipients of Christian baptism. The magisterial reformer, John Calvin, gave theological expression to the protestant practice of infant baptism, and on the other hand, the radical reformers argued that believer’s baptism is the proper expression of baptism in the Christian era. Today the debate still continues, and while it is regarded as a more intramural debate than it has in previous generations,…