Culture
AI and the Existence of God
AI is here and it is here to stay. Even for those who want to avoid the technology, it will prove increasingly difficult. Google, the most popular search engine, now gives its AI results first. Generally, these are handy and helpful summaries of search results. Of all the emerging uses for AI, using it to search the internet is likely one of the most popular ways the average user will interact with it. Like anything Christians use as a tool,…
Pushing Politics: The Unpardonable Sin
Tomorrow our church is hosting an event entitled “For the Good of the City: A Christian Perspective on Alberta Independence.” The event itself has generated some “discussion” on social media and correspondence to our church. With the religious zeal of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, many are indignant that our church enters the realm of public policy discussion. It is like we’ve committed an unpardonable sin and breached the impregnable wall of separation between church and state. For many, Christians…
Gun Control and Islam
The recent shooting at Bondi beach in Australia has drawn worldwide attention. The events of that day were terrible, tragic, and wicked. These mass shooting events, happening all too often in the modern era, are reminders of the sinfulness of man, the disregard for human life, the hatred of others, and the apparent powerlessness of governing authorities to stop such carnage from happening again. How should societies prevent these events from happening in the future? Immediately after these shooting there…
Canada Revives Blasphemy Laws
Did you know that Canada’s criminal code contained laws that criminalized “blasphemous libel”? This blasphemy law, part of Canada’s original criminal code, was removed by lawmakers in 2018. Canadian law has incrementally moved away from a Christian worldview for several decades. Lawmakers have repealed laws criminalizing not only blasphemy, but abortion, sodomy, divorce, euthanasia, and Sabbath or “blue” laws. Gay marriage was enshrined in law and so-called “conversion therapy” was criminalized. With a change of gods, of necessity, you get…
The Charlie Kirk Memorial
The memorial for Charlie Kirk this past Sunday was incredible. What made it so incredible is how Christ-centered it was and how many times the gospel was clearly articulated. The truth of Christ was spoken by pastors and apologists—as you would hope—but it was also clearly articulated by political pundits, podcasters, federal cabinet members and heads of state. Not only was the gospel expressed more clearly than most contemporary memorials it was likely the most watched proclamation of Christ in…
A Lament for Charlie Kirk and Prayer for the Nation
This is the transcript of the prayer by Pastor Tim Stephens on September 14, 2025. I want to pray for events this week that I’m sure you’re aware of—Charlie Kirk’s shooting and how he was assassinated. I think it was more than an assassination. I believe he was martyred for his faith. Many of you might not know Charlie Kirk. The reason why this was so significant to me and to many others is not only because he was a…
Why Alberta’s Independence Matters to the Church
This article is based on a talk I gave to a group of Alberta pastors on why the conversation about Alberta’s independence matters to the church. While this address was written for pastors, may it be an encouragement to you as well. Why the Church Matters to Independence: A History Lesson Before addressing why the conversation about independence matters to the church, it must be acknowledged that the church matters to the conversation on independence. It can be easy to…
Alberta’s Future: Part 2
Part 1 of this article is available here: https://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/albertas-future-part-1/ Let me be clear up front. I desire an independent Alberta. I have several reasons that I will articulate below. These reasons, I’m convinced, are grounded in Scripture and biblical principles. Desires themselves, however, are insufficient if they are not acted upon. For each of these desires for the good of our homeland, we should be considering how we can carry out those desires and work toward a better future today.…
Alberta’s Future: Part 1
Talk of Alberta’s independence has gone mainstream since the last federal election. People on both sides of the issue speak confidently about the possibility, or lack of possibility, of an independent Alberta. Our Premier, Danielle Smith, just released a video introducing the Alberta Next Panel where she outlines the plan for a referendum next year on several issues based on feedback from Albertans. In that video, which I recommend you watch, she makes several arguments to demonstrate that Alberta has…
Election Reflections
Today we woke up to a new Liberal minority government in Canada. While the Prime Minister has changed, we can almost certainly expect the same policies of the last 10 years under the previous Trudeau government. There will be time for further reflection and analysis, but I want to encourage you as a follower of Christ to take courage, be hopeful, and continue to strive, build, and serve. 1. Christ Is (still) King While we may participate in elections of…
Hard Times Ahead for Alberta: Tariffs, Canada, and the United States
Earlier this month the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released a report ranking Calgary as the second most vulnerable city to potential tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump. Alberta’s economy is heavily reliant on exports. It may be surprising, but Alberta’s biggest trading partner is not Canada but the United States. Alberta sends 89% of its exports to the US. That’s huge. It is even larger for Calgary. For Calgary, 96% of its economic output—worth $119 billion annually—are goods exported…
The 51st State?
It is beyond question that power in Canada is centralized in Ontario and Quebec. Alberta, on the other hand, has been ignored, alienated, and sometimes exploited by Central Canada. Talk of Western independence is seemingly on the rise with books, articles, more articles, and social media posts raising the issue. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressed the idea that Canada should become a state, arguing that Canada is not viable as a country except for its proximity with the…