Culture of Beauty

Culture is a word we use often yet rarely consider its meaning. The English word culture, is derived from the Latin word cultura which speaks of “cultivating, tending, caring, tilling, and honoring.” We see the immediate application to farming and the caring for the land to produce a harvest—the goal of cultivation. The Latin word cultus is also part of the same word group and overlaps in meaning but focuses on the cultivation of customs of worship and veneration.

This is significant because culture is religion externalized. That is, culture—our social ethos consisting of language, manners, customs, architecture, art, food, music, fashion, education—is the religious expression of a people group. Culture is a reflection of what we worship and how we tend or care for the world around us. Understood correctly, there is a Christian culture that affects language, manners, customs, architecture, art, food, fashion, music, education and so forth. Since culture is religion externalized, we must understand the enormous impact Christianity has on culture and the impact that culture has upon the religious convictions of a people.

(As an aside, it is important to recognize that the so-called “culture war” is really a religious or spiritual war. To be indifferent to the culture war is to be indifferent to the spiritual war.)

Now, my aim in this article is more modest than tackling culture in general or in exhaustive detail. I wish to briefly consider one aspect of culture—beauty. Every culture—every religion externalized—has categories for beauty. Today we’re told that a man in drag is beautiful (see images below). After the toppling of many statues, the monuments raised upon the NYC courthouse in honor of MLK are examples of what is considered beautiful by today’s religious culture. Architecture past and present are notably—and lamentably—different. Some might scoff at modern art compared to the art yesteryear, but these are true reflections of our culture—our societal, religious affections externalized. They are evidence of the changing standards of beauty coinciding with the changing religious commitments of our society.

Article continues after images.

Sam Brinton, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy
Recent monument on NYC courthouse
Recent MLK Monument in Boston
Canada’s Parliament
Robarts Library at University of Toronto
Soviet Era Building, Georgia
Modern Art
Painting by Thomas Cole

What we must remember is that we are culture builders. The spiritual battle is a battle of truth expressed in tangible ways (i.e., in word and form). We are cultivators of truth and beauty. Our religious commitments will be externalized when we decorate our home, sing songs, make meals, engage in a vocation, send letters, practice hospitality, speak to our neighbors and fill our calendar with activities. It is not a matter of whether we “cultivate” a certain aesthetic or culture but which one are we cultivating.

God’s Concern for Beauty

Do you care about beauty? Are you seeking to cultivate beauty in and around you? Did you know that God is concerned about creating beauty?

Consider creation, God made plants for food but he made other plants and trees simply for beauty. In fact, the flowers of the field are often mentioned in Scripture as gloriously beautiful (Isaiah 28:1, 4; 40:6) although their beauty is temporary and serves no practical utility. God gave some creatures for food, others he made beautiful and majestic to demonstrate his own beautiful wisdom and glory (cf. Job 38–41). God made women beautiful in form and appearance, even giving attention to their hair to be a glorious covering (cf. 1 Cor 11:7, 15). When God gave instructions for the temple, he ordered that it be made beautiful with skillful craftsmanship. When he detailed the garments of the priest, he made them, “for glory and for beauty” (Ex 28:2). Jerusalem and the temple were built to be beautiful. Zion, in “the perfection of beauty, God shines forth” (Ps 50:2). In summary, Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

God cares about beauty. Therefore we should care about beauty. Not in the modern notion of abstraction, utility, gender fluidity, or a general disunity that is seen in modern art and architecture. But we care about beauty in keeping with God’s majesty, creational norms, scriptural insight, skill and wisdom, and with proper expressions of masculinity and femininity, while bringing glory and honor to the King and Creator of heaven and earth.

What does this mean practically?

1. The first step is to consider beauty in light of God’s revelation and develop an appetite for what God calls beautiful. Consider the music, art, architecture, fashion, furniture, and customs around you and what they reveal about religious commitments or religious affections. Set before your eyes what God considers beautiful.

2. Second, acquired tastes become what we cultivate. When we know what beauty is, we then tend and cultivate our homes, our place of worship, our workplaces, and all that we do in a beauty befitting the Lord. We adorn our lives with beauty within and without. The beauty and excellence around us testifies to the fruit of gospel, adorns the truth we proclaim, and brings glory to God.

3. Third, we must avoid the idolatry of beauty. Beauty can easily be idolized. Especially those things that God has made beautiful. The beauty of women as been idolized in countless ways and continues in earnest today. The beauty of women should be a reflection of the inward beauty of holiness not a sensual perversion of God’s propriety for marriage and sexuality (1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3–4). Aesthetics become idolatrous when they are elevated above God’s intention or not used to honor and glorify him. Beauty ought to bring glory to God and not to ourselves.

Conclusion

According to Isaiah 60, beauty will be a distinguishing mark of the new heavens and new earth. “I will beautify my beautiful house” (v. 7); “he has made you beautiful” (v. 9); I will “beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious” (v. 13). If we are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) then we bear the marks of this coming new creation. We seek now for the holiness that we will have, and we yearn and cultivate now the beauty of that future heavenly city. For he is worthy.

“The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified”.

(Isaiah 60:19–21)

Online Streaming Act

The Online Streaming Act (aka Bill C-11 or “An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts”) has garnered attention in the news and in the Christian world. It’s been dubbed by critics as a censorship bill with some warning that it will fundamentally change the availability of information in Canada through the internet and the many platforms that depend upon it.

You can read the bill for yourself here, but how it will be interpreted, applied, and enforced will be another matter altogether. Time will tell whether fears are justified and the predictions correct.

What I wish to do is give a brief analysis of the worldview or religious convictions behind this bill which will shortly become law in Canada. This piece of legislation is downstream of the religious exchange in our country from Christianity to an atheistic progressive socialism which gets its moral compass from Marx rather than Moses and its promised salvation in human government rather than Christ and his kingdom.

1. “Canadian Values” now include Queer Theory, Gender Theory, Marxism, and other “Woke” Ideologies

We hear a lot these days about Canadian values or a Canada for everyone or an inclusive, welcoming, and safe society. These terms are like a thick blanket acting as a veil to hide what is underneath. If laws are representative of values and ethics—and certainly they are—then the latest laws passed in Canada represent a new ethic and a rejection of God and his ethic. We’re assured that newer is better but there were a few new ideas that flowered in the 20th century that proved to have disastrous and deadly consequences for millions of people.

Recent bills passed in Canada are enshrining queer theory, gender theory, and neo-Marxism as Canadian values. These ideas are dangerous and destructive. The first line of our constitution states, “Canada was founded upon the supremacy of God and the rule of law.” No longer. In this bill, ironically from the office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the supremacy of God is out and queer theory, gender theory, and cultural Marxism is now in.

The proposed law states that it will update Canada’s broadcasting policy (whether traditional or online) to “serve the needs and interests of all Canadians, including Canadians from racialized communities and Canadians of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, abilities and disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and ages.”

This law seeks to make sure the information going to all Canadians is informed by the new state religion. But this promotion of SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identities) will continue to destroy marriage, the family, children, safety in public spaces, and ultimately, all of society. Ideas have consequences. Bad ideas are a disaster.

2. Enshrining Identity Politics into Law

Rather than allowing an individual stand on his own merit, be commended for his own character, or promoted for his own effort and intellect, everyone is placed into a defining group. There is black culture, white culture, or indigenous culture. There is the LGBTQ+ community, the faith community, the black community, and so forth. People are identified by their skin color, sexual preferences, or other characteristics. Then they’re lumped together and painted with a broad brush. Lines are drawn between oppressor and oppressed, the haves and have nots, the abusers and the victims. This neo-Marxist or critical theory interpretation is designed to take down the oppressor, the haves, and the abusers so that we might have a just and equitable society. This has never worked and only leads to the destruction of society rather than justice and equity. It never builds, but only seeks power to destroy.

In Christianity, skin color nor ethnicity nor gender define a person. Rather, virtues include honor, courage, valor, humility, self-sacrifice, commitment, love, and hard work define a person. In Christ, there is not one group that is privileged or treated with prejudice. But in this new bill, identity politics will continue to be promoted such that people are defined by their group rather than their character.

3. Enshrining Affirmative Action and Systemic Prejudice into Law

“Affirmative action, also known as positive discrimination, involves sets of policies and practices within a government or organization seeking to include particular groups based on their gender, race, sexuality, creed or nationality in areas in which such groups are underrepresented — such as education and employment.”

Under this new bill, the government of Canada will seek to apply this ideology to what Canadians see on TV or through the internet. The underlying assumption is that there is systemic racism and prejudice against particular groups and so affirmative action is needed to promote these oppressed groups. In other words, you fight prejudice with prejudice.

But is this the case? Are artists, journalists, singers, and musicians being suppressed because of systemic prejudice? Is there any evidence of this? In addition, has the government, through the arm of the CRTC ever helped lift someone out of their “oppression” so the world can see their true talent? In fact, what we’re likely going to see is more artists, singers, and musicians heading south to the US rather than remain in a repressive, government regulated industry in Canada. And to top it all off, what artist wants to have lingering questions in their mind whether they “made it” because of their talent or because of affirmative action?

4. Creeping Totalitarianism

There is a misnomer that totalitarianism is a form of dictatorship antithetical to a democracy like our own. The idea of totalitarianism is that the government centralizes power and regulates the totality of life. That is, public and private life, religious gatherings, media and entertainment, etcetera, all come under the regulatory rule of the government. It’s clear that each year we creep further and further into a totalitarian state.

Our government has not only presumed to define marriage, gender, and shutdown society in an effort to control a virus. But our government is giving bureaucratic ideologues the task of regulating “Canadian” values and Canadian content. Under this new law, Canadian content is not defined by where content is produced or who produced it but rather if it is in keeping with the state’s definition of “Canadian values.” How is this different than state run media in Russia, Nazi Germany, China, or North Korea? The free press and freedom of speech emerged from a Christian worldview. The doctrine of man and sin is plenty reason enough to argue for limited government and limited regulation by a few in power. We already have too much regulation and this law adds to the burden that will eventually break the camel’s back.

Questions remain on what this law means for user generated content. But it will certainly affect what Canadians will see on social media platforms and not just traditional broadcasters. Whether now or later, it is inevitable that user generated content will fall under this same rubric—for safety, inclusion, and the protection of the public of course. The totalitarian creep will continue as the state acts like a beast swallowing up everything around it.

The Christian Response?

How should we respond to such a law and the ideologies that undergird it? There are a number of ways in which we can be steadfast in the shifting culture around us. Each of these could be explored in detail, but I’ll list them briefly here.

1. Speak truth. Don’t self-censor or be forced to follow the narrative. Our role as Christians includes speaking the truth of God’s word. We have a message to declare, so let us declare it with boldness and accuracy in season and out of season. The world needs the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Find alternate sources of information rather than the “state-approved” spin. There are a growing number of alternative sources of information available. Be discerning whether it’s government-approved or from an alternative source. Some are preying on a growing skepticism toward the government that is unhealthy and we can get caught up in unprofitable discussions.

3. Be creators rather than consumers. It is easy for us to consume news, entertainment, music, videos, and on and on. Our society is consumeristic. That’s the air we breathe. As Christians, we should limit our consumption and be busy creating. Let us be culture builders who build a home, build a church, build a business, build a community and from that overflow create music, video, and art that will be a blessing to those around us. There is a Christian aesthetic or beauty that we should be building and advancing rather than consuming the products of godless modernity.

Above all, Christ is still the King of kings and Lord of lords. The nations may rage against him but they rage in vain. Let’s not despair what the world may do but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness!

To Sell or Not to Sell…

…that is the question.

In the processes of selling our facility, questions have arisen on who and who not to sell it to. Would we sell to a group that differs with us in doctrine? Would we sell to an investor to build condos? Would we sell to those who are affirming of the LGBTQ+ agenda? Would we sell to Jews? or to Muslims? Of course, we all agree that our preference is to sell our facility to another group similar to ours that will use it to continue to advance of the gospel. Yet we all know how few faithful churches there are in our city and the few we know are not in a position to purchase our current facility. Which raises another question of priority. If we do not find a faithful church to purchase our facility, would we forgo moving to a larger facility and remain where we are? How do we navigate such an issue faithfully?

While our preference has been to sell to a likeminded church, we’ve never ruled out the possibility of selling our facility to other groups. When our preference cannot be met, here are a short list of reasons why we can sell our facility to other non-Christians groups (and should sell given the right offer).

  1. The church is not the building. This oft-repeated phrase seeks to capture an important biblical truth. The church is the people of God, converted from darkness to light, united with the Lord Jesus Christ, and joined together as a family of faith to be a holy people devoted to the Lord in worship and truth. Whether gathering in homes, the catacombs, in a field, or in a building built for the church, the church is the people and not the building.[1] As such, buildings don’t apostatize nor are converted or de-converted. Our battle is not against flesh and blood nor buildings and land. The kingdom of God is where the gospel is believed and Christ’s rule obeyed.[2]
  2. The investment into the kingdom continues. The investment made into our building through donations, work days, maintenance, and so forth will still be used for the kingdom of God as it transfers from hard assets to liquid assets that will help fund a larger facility to advance the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We simply could not move to a new facility if it was not for the efforts of past generations. Part of this effort is represented in the equity of our current facility.
  3. Our battle is more offensive than defensive. The spiritual battle continues in our city regardless of locations or land. In our city there are numerous groups vying to win the battle of truth. From LGBTQ+ activists, to Muslims, to Reformed Christians, we are all here seeking to advance a cause. Of course we know that Christ will win and we should pursue what is best for his cause. However, we cannot be overly concerned with what others are doing and seek to thwart them and hinder our task. We are not playing a defensive battle, but an offensive one. If we are better able to gather as one body, proclaim the gospel, and advance the cause of Christ then we should take that opportunity. That is, moving into a new facility to advance the gospel is a higher priority that stopping someone from operating in our current facility. The enemy will continue to promote his lies in this city and so we must better position ourselves to be heralds of the truth.[3]
  4. The health of the body is paramount. As elders, our concern is for the family of faith at Fairview Baptist Church. The move is not precipitated by the extra work of two services. Rather, the central concern is our divided body. With our current space there is a lack of fellowship which hinders us more than most understand. With extended times of weekly fellowship we see opportunities for service, discipleship, encouragement, counsel, and imitation. Our worship is spiritual warfare. Our fellowship is spiritual warfare. We’ve been divided and the body is suffering as we’re hindered from practicing the one-another’s or the body to minister effectively. In the end, we’re making this move with the health of the body in mind. As a consequence, if our church is healthy, we will be a sharp instrument in the hand of our Lord to shine forth the power and goodness of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Natural Objections and Questions

1. Would the LORD be pleased with this sale to an Islamic group?

I agree that in isolation, giving money to the United Church and taking money from a Muslim group in exchange for our building doesn’t seem to bring God honor. How can it? In the same regard, in isolation, David living in Ziklag and making peace with a Philistine king doesn’t seem to bring God honor either. But considering the big picture we can see many times that the Lord uses his enemies to accomplish his purposes (David in Ziklag, Joseph in Egypt, the Pharaoh in the Exodus, Jews with Jesus, etc). God can get glory (and has) from the wicked even though they do not intend it. Can God not get glory by funding the gospel by taking money from Muslims?

Some have suggested another way that God is getting glory. Some believe that the Lord is moving us out of the community of Fairview and letting the darkness come in as a judgment. Certainly the Lord can do that and it would bring him glory, but do we really know that? We don’t know the mind of the Lord, hence the difficulty and the call for wisdom.

We do have examples in the NT on how to interact with false religions as Christians. To be certain we have no partnership or fellowship together. Yet we do see Paul argue in 1 Corinthians 8 that idols are nothing and that being in a temple and eating food offered to idols is nothing. Not all could do that without violating their conscience and so Paul exhorts those who eat in idol’s temples to be mindful of their brothers and sisters so that they don’t stumble. Then in 1 Corinthians 10:23ff Paul speaks about being invited over for dinner and eating food offered to idols. He argues that you can eat food from the meat market (v. 25) and partake in homes food offered to idols with thankfulness (v. 30). Paul argues that we can eat or drink (food offered to idols) to the glory of God (v. 31), while seeking not to give offense to others (v. 32), and fleeing from actual idolatry (v. 14). So in the first century church it was possible to eat in temples, eat food offered to idols and give thanks and glory to God while not engaging in idolatry or being partners with darkness.

The biggest concern in the first century and in my mind with this transaction is the conscience of my brothers and sisters. Please know that we were ready to walk away from this deal for the sake of the brothers and sisters in the church we knew would not be pleased. In the end we felt it best to move forward with what we’re convinced is best for the entire body, would advance the gospel and bring glory to Christ. The vote and how the rest of the process goes will be a confirmation in our mind of the Lord’s working through this (the Lord did thwart the last deal).

2. Buildings are set apart for a special use. This facility once was dedicated to worshiping the Lord will now be dedicated for the worship of idols. Such things should not be!

This is true. But it doesn’t tell the whole story.

We regard moving into the United Church a success for the gospel of the kingdom. This is due to the fact that we are moving into their old facility because they have shrunk and their influence continues to wane.

It would be totally different if we were moving into the United Church because they were flourishing and expanding to a new and larger location. We wouldn’t regard the move as a “victory” for the gospel.

The same is true for our current facility. We’re moving on because Christ is building his church. Another group is moving in because we’ve outgrown the space as the gospel is bearing fruit. The whole story is one of advance of God’s kingdom, not retreat or decline.

3. If we sell to a group like the Muslims, we’re aiding their cause.

In some respects this is true. However we don’t see Paul using this reasoning in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 as Christians were eating food offered to idols in the temples. Rather, he argued that it was a matter of conscience.

This objection is also unlikely to prevent any of us from selling our house to a Muslim family even if the man of the house was an Imam who preached every Friday at a mosque. Why? Because they are funding our move and helping our cause! The same is true in this regard. When they purchase our current facility, they are funding the gospel advance and aiding the cause of Christ.

4. The community of Fairview is left without a gospel witness.

It was common in years past for churches to be community churches or have a parish model. Members would go to the closest church, often walking. We still see this today among the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church. The church at Fairview has not been this way for a number of years. People drive from all over. While we have focused on local evangelism, most understand our missionfield to be Calgary as a city (along with the surrounding area) rather than just the community of Fairview. Our light is certainly moving away from the community of Fairview but we’re moving so that our light can shine brighter and the church can thrive as a family after been hindered from fellowship in the past few years.

Wherever you are reading this, you are a light on your street and in your neighborhood. If you decided to move because your family was growing, your street would be losing a gospel light. However, I don’t believe this is sufficient to argue that you must remain or sell your home to other believers to continue the work you are doing among your neighbors. Your greater concern is for your family. In a similar way, I see my role of shepherd caring for the health of the flock as a higher priority than ensuring a light remains in close proximity to the community of Fairview. (I still believe we can be a light and continue to call people in Fairview to repentance and faith and come and worship with us from a new location.)

In addition, the communities of Tuxedo and Highland Park have been without a clear gospel witness for a long time. Our goal of seeing the city of Calgary love Christ still continues in earnest.[4]

5. We should walk by faith and not by sight and wait for the Lord to provide something better.

We all want to walk by faith and we all acknowledge that his ways are sometimes (many times?) beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8). We have clear revelation in his word to guide us with clarity but there are some decisions that do not have the clear light of Scripture to instruct us plainly. In  my understanding of Scripture, I do not see selling our building to Muslims as sinful. But is it God’s will? That’s harder to answer and calls for wisdom and prayer.

What I do know is that the Lord has been so faithful (even through my weakness and failings as a leader). He has built his church at Fairview. Some have come to know the Lord, many have been strengthened and equipped in the faith, and the gospel has gone out in ways inconceivable to me. The Lord removed all my personal charges and in many respects vindicated our choice to remain open (even as many Christians accused us of being unfaithful and bringing dishonor to God.) The building process has been a rollercoaster ride with God closing many doors, our efforts exhausted on many occasions, and then providentially providing Northminster as a possible home for his church. When the first offer for our building fell apart, we understood this to be of the Lord. We assumed that he was doing what was best according to His plan. We don’t fully understand but trust him to lead in this process. He has led us this far, he will provide for his people.

Then this offer came in (with no other offers from Christian groups). Has the Lord led us this far by leading and guiding to now bring this offer to test us? Is this offer his provision (where his way is not our way) or is this offer a test of our faithfulness? Is he trying to say that moving is not his will? Have we asked for bread and he given us a stone that we’re not supposed to recognizes as a stone lest we bite it and break our teeth? Is this what the Lord is doing?

As we’ve prayed about it, sought counsel with those outside and inside the church, we’ve wrestled to understand the Lord’s will. We’ve considered what he may be doing and how we should be leading. In the end, we understand the Lord is with us yet we don’t understand why this group is there to purchase our building. Is it to take their money, given to push a false religion, to now fund gospel ministry? Is it a judgment upon our city or community? Is it a reflection of the spiritual battle already going on in our city and this shuffling of the chairs will put us in a better position for the battle? Is it to push the antithesis between darkness and light because many churches are just shades of grey? We don’t know. But we’re ready to prayerfully move forward trusting the Lord’s providential leading. God can work through the congregation to stop this. He can work through the inspection to stop this. He can work through their financing to stop this (like last time). May he be merciful and faithful to us even if we are being unfaithful here. We all desperately want his will to be done!

Conclusion

The elders have taken time to pray, seek counsel, and wait for some direction as to how to proceed. We are in agreement that this is best for our church and fully support moving forward in this direction for the reasons cited above. The decision is not easy but we trust that the Lord will lead and guide his people.

[1] It is true that Scripture does refer to the church as a “building” in Ephesians 2 and 1 Peter 2. But in those passages it refers to the spiritual temple where we are living stones built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. The church is also described as Christ’s body—with him as head—and Christ’s bride—with him as groom. In all these metaphors the church is not a building, not brick or mortar, but people made holy by the blood of the Lamb gathered together in unity around Christ and the gospel.

[2] Still, it can be disheartening to walk into a building that was clearly a church but is now a store or temple of false religion. While this doesn’t tell the whole story (maybe the church flourished and outgrew this facility), the optics can be saddening. In our case, the current architecture of our facility is not “churchy.” Without steeples, vaulted ceilings, archways, or stained glass it doesn’t provide the optics that a church has closed and another religious group has stepped in.

[3] It’s important to note that gathering as one body is not to ease the burden of running two services. Our worship is warfare and gathering as one advances the cause of Christ. The fellowship, unity, and care of the body is greatly hindered by being divided. Many do not know the familial nature of the church that spends the Lord’s Day together in worship and fellowship. It is important that we heal the division that has occurred in the body over the last few years due to space constraints.

[4] It should be noted that compromised “Christian” groups can push people away from the gospel and harden them to the true gospel. We believe in the importance of the clarity of the gospel rather than the compromised message of Worldly Wiseman mixed in. It can be better to have an antithesis to the gospel rather than a dangerous look-a-like that leads many to a false sense of salvation (see 2 Peter 2). It is not hard to see that many false churches are hardening people from the true gospel. They may preach the Bible (in part) yet do great damage to the kingdom of God. Wolves in sheep’s clothing are more dangerous to the flock than wolves without the façade.

Alexander Leighton

While many Puritans faced persecution, shamming, banishment, and even death, not many experienced it to the level of Dr. Alexander Leighton (1568 – 1643). Leighton was a Scottish medical doctor, teacher, and Puritan preacher who gained attention by writing “An Appeal to Parliament; or Zion`s plea against Prelacy” which was to call out the unbiblical acts of the Anglican Church. He hoped that parliament would see the error of their ways to rescue the nation from the bishops. He provided many examples of where abuse was taking place as the bishops were longing for personal gain and expelling God-honoring ministers. Leighton’s writings were also directed towards Charles I and Archbishop Laud’s views of the high church structure and the power dynamics of the church and state. 

Archbishop Laud was the Archbishop of Canterbury. One part of Laud’s initiatives, given by King Charles I, was persecuting Puritan clergy and requiring them to conform to the ideals of worship in the Anglican Church. Laud took great joy in this and longed to do what he could against those who were against the established Church of England. Men who defied Laud were presented before either the court of the High Commission or the Star Chamber, which did not allow for witnesses or appeals.

Laud had his sights set on Leighton and wanted to make an example out of him, Once Leighton’s writings became known in parliament Laud would do everything he could to stop him and strike fear into other Puritans. On 29 February 1629, while walking to church, Leighton was seized by a gang of armed men on a warrant issued by the High Commission Court and forcibly taken to Archbishop Laud’s house. Laud’s influence and power sent Leighton to Newgate Prison. There was no trial and proper examination. The prison conditions were deplorable; Leighton was not confined to a cell but to a rat-infested open pit in the prison yard with no shelter to protect him from the damp winter elements. This sentencing included solitary confinement for fifteen weeks and denied any visitors. It is contested that he was poisoned because when he was eventually allowed medical attention, they noted that his hair was falling out and his skin was shedding. 

Outside of the prison, on the orders of Laud, hired men broke into Leighton’s home and ransacked it, roughly treating his wife and holding a pistol to his five-year-old son threatening to kill him if they were not told where his father kept his books and papers. They took anything that could have some sort of evidence against Dr. Leighton, and the home was left in shambles, and anything they saw of value was taken away, including clothing, household equipment, and furnishings.

In 1630, Laud wanted to make an example of Leighton (five months after his initial arrest) and despite clear medical evidence and lack of legal representation, he was forced to attend the Star Chamber court. The Star Chamber was the secret court of the king which denied people the right to appeal and have witnesses. He was tried and convicted without having any opportunity to make any defense. Leighton was pronounced guilty, and Laud requested the harshest punishments possible. Two of the many accusations placed against Leighton were sedition and treason. 

The sentence handed to him under the approval of Laud included being degraded from his orders in the ministry, being brought to Westminster to have his ear cut off, one side of his nose slit, and being branded on one cheek. He was to stand in the pillory and be whipped at a post, and some time afterward he would be carried to have the same punishment on the other side of his body. On top of physical torture, he was required to pay a fine of £10,000, and suffer perpetual imprisonment. Upon hearing this sentencing, Laud pulled off his hat and raised his hands to heaven, and “[gave] thanks to God, who had given him the victory over his enemies.”

Some commissioners believed the sentencing would not be carried out and would only serve as a warning to anyone against standing up to the episcopal church. One night, a commissioner complained and viewed the possible torture as barbaric, especially by a bishop, but Laud wanted it. 

The night before Leighton was to be whipped, two of his friends snuck into the prison and helped him escape the prison. When the authorities discovered he had escaped, they wrote a “Hue and Cry Against Dr. Leighton.” Which called upon all people to be on the lookout for him, and it was not long before he was captured and brought back to prison for torture. In November of 1630, the hangman cut off one of Leighton’s ears, slit one side of his nose, and with a hot iron, branded one of his cheeks S. S. for Sower of Sedition. Afterward, he was put in the pillory for two hours for public mocking and experienced intense cold temperatures. After the two hours, Leighton was tied to a post, having his back exposed, and whipped with a triple-cord thirty-six times. After the torture, he was dragged back to prison. A week later, he had the second half of his punishment dealt with in the district of Cheapside in London, where the other ear was cut off, the other side of his nose slit, and then branded on the other cheek. Leighton was set up along the pillory and whipped a second time. Due to his wounds from the torture, he could not walk, so he was carried back to prison and kept for ten weeks in deplorable conditions. These were all too familiar for Leighton as he was back in the dirty prison yard, having no shelter, and the only company of rats and mice. After ten weeks, he was placed in a small prison cell to carry out the remainder of his sentencing. 

Leighton’s punishment did not go well within the kingdom, as many people stood against the parliament, especially with the treatment of Leighton. Samuel Rutherford wrote letters to Leighton encouraging him to keep his eyes on Christ and his eternal home, knowing that his suffering had a purpose. Leighton was in prison for eleven years until the king called parliament back into session to finance wars. Parliament quickly reacted to limit the power of King Charles I and his bishops. 

In 1640, Leighton appealed his sentencing to parliament, and many wept when they read aloud what had happened to him. They motioned to remove him from prison and live in a “comfortable place.” Unfortunately, when Leighton was finally released from prison, he was so malnourished that he could not walk and was blind and deaf. Parliament stated that what was done to Leighton was illegal and reformed laws in an attempt to never have that from happening again. He was awarded £6,000 for damages, but it is believed that he never received the money. 

Not much is known about his life after prison, and his exact date of death is debatable. What is known about Dr. Leighton, was that he was a man who stood by his convictions. He saw unorthodox teachings of the Anglican Church and the state veering out of its lane in the 1600s. Dr. Alexander Leighton did not have the faintest idea of what his little book would cost him and he could have capitulated at any time during his imprisonment, but he counted the cost and was willing to be a light for Christ during a very dark time in history.

Richard Sibbes

Richard Sibbes was called “Heavenly Doctor Sibbes.” He was known for his God-honouring preaching and living as if heaven was always before his eyes. 

Richard Sibbes (1577–1635) was born at Tostock, Suffolk, of old England. As a young boy he loved his books and was uninterested in following his father’s trade as a wheelwright. Instead, Sibbes went into academics where he received a Master or Arts at the age of 25. During his years of studying he sat under the teaching of the Puritan William Perkins. A year after his studies, in 1603, he was converted under the preaching of Paul Baynes. Sibbes spent his life faithfully ministering at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge and at Gray’s Inn law school.

During his lifetime, the “Heavenly Doctor” helped many people through conversation and preaching. He prevented Thomas Goodwin from falling into Arminianism and encouraged John Preston to focus on Scripture rather than “witty preaching.” Sibbes viewed preaching Christ as a vehicle to “woo” people with Gospel by focusing on heart matters.

Sibbes was unique for his day. His writing and ministerial styles had a compassionate pastor’s heart. The Doctor desired to free his listeners from the damage that some ministers and political leaders were doing in his day as they were using the Law against the people.  Sibbes understood the message of the Gospel is love and one of the key categories of that is freedom. Freedom and assurance of being loved by God while at the same time being unlovely. One area that was unique of Sibbes, compared to most Puritans, was his ability to discuss the mind and will, specifically that the mind and will are merely instruments of the affections. This offered the perspective of how nature and grace are both involved in a person’s conversion as seen by God working through the affections by drawing those that are saved to share in God’s values through a transformed heart. The “fallen will,” is opposed to God and his rule due to sinful passions wanting to replace God. However, in the act of salvation the Holy Spirit comes to the elect to make known God’s love which then stirs up new affections and thoughts to have the will embrace God’s ways.

The Doctor knew the importance of unity in the face of adversity, especially those with Puritan convictions. By standing for the truth of God’s Word he challenged the ministers of the day who were “sinful [in their] lukewarmness.” He said, “a curse lies upon those, that, when the truth suffers, have not a word to defend it.” For making such a claim, Sibbes was reprimanded in 1627 and in 1632, along with eleven other Puritan ministers, he was sentenced to banishment. However, the sentence was never carried out, but Sibbes lived to see many of his close friends (Samuel Ward, Thomas Goodwin, John Cotton, Thomas Hooker, and others) either imprisoned or forced into exile in Holland and New England. 

Sibbes recognized that people’s actions are an outward manifestation of the heart, which shows what a person is like deep down inside. The Doctor wanted to impact the desires of the people and not only provide superficial behavioral modifications. He did so in a manner that impacted people by using the truth of the Gospel to “melt” the heart of his hearers. He did not want to create a ministry that cultivated hypocrisy, but genuine followers of Christ whose heartfelt desires are for Christ not for sin.

History highlights Richard Sibbes as a kind man who was of a mild, quiet, and peaceable spirit. He is one who enjoyed much sweet communion with God, and reading his works one can feel that “warmth” he had towards God. Richard Sibbes encouraged his hearers to live “under the sunshine of the Gospel, and as you hear of Christ’s love you are drawn to him.” 

C.H. Spurgeon, “Sibbes never wastes a student’s time, he scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands.”

To learn more from Richard Sibbes, read “The Bruised Reed.”

Pride Check

Sermon Excerpt: Your biggest problem is your own sin from the sermon Behold the Covenant. To watch the entire sermon, click here.

Pride Check. Consider the following questions which expose the fruit of pride in our lives.

Do you want to be well-known and important? Do you want to impress people? Don’t you do this with the clothing you wear, the vehicle you drive, the place you live, your house, the money you earn, food you eat, who you know, and what you know? Are not we driven want people to be impressed with us and give us approval? Do you like to talk about yourself? Are you deceptive in speaking about yourself, stretching the truth to put yourself in a better light? or not mentioning other things that would make other think lesser of you? Do you want recognition or credit for what you do? Are you bent out of shape when people don’t credit you or acknowledge your work or effort? Do you want to be self-sufficient? Do you want to be independent? Are you insecure or sensitive? Are you easily offended? If yes, then this is the fruit of pride!

Do you compare yourself to others? Do you feel deserving for what you have? Do you feel deprived of what you think you should have? Are you ungrateful? Are you envious of others? Is it hard to admit you don’t know something? Do you interrupt people? Do you wait for someone to finish speaking without listening carefully just so you can say what you want next? When you listen to a sermon, are you thinking that others need to hear this? Are you unteachable? Have you listened to many sermons and read much truth but are relatively unaffected? Do you have a hard time admitting that you’re wrong? To you resent people who correct you? Are you easily irritated or angered? Are you prone to conflict with others? Do you have a history of broken relationships? Are you critical of others? Are you judgmental? Are you self-willed or stubborn? Are you unaccountable? And finally, are you right now working on a defense because you think you’re pretty humble and have reasons why some of these sins show in your life? This is all pride and the fruit of pride.

This is just a small sin is it not? You’re more sinful than you’ve ever realized. The good news is, the God who speaks the earth into existence, and who gives life, has given his Servant, his Son, to bring light, life, forgiveness, and freedom from pride and sin. Praise the Lord!

Loaves and Fish Offering

You can watch the announcement of this offering from Sunday, November 4th or read the content of that announcement below.

Jesus had been teaching all day and 5000 men along with women and children were hungry. They had no amenities, no provisions, and were in a desolate place with little resources (see Luke 9:10–17 and corresponding sermon “5000 Reasons to Depend on Jesus”).

Jesus told (and tested) his disciples, “You give them something to eat.” In response, they had three solutions:

Solution 1: Can’t do it. This was not really a solution, but their first reaction to the need abandon the mission. “Master, you must send them away. We can’t feed them.” Jesus didn’t accept this solution.

Solution 2: Bring what we have. Their second plan was also not really a plan (at least not in their mind). They told Jesus that they have no more than five loaves and two fish. They believed this to be a huge shortfall and simply impossible to meet the need at hand.

Solution 3: Seek help elsewhere. Their third solution was to head into town for help. They suggested going to buy food for all the people. But who would pay for that? Again, they thought this was unrealistic but it was their best and final option.

This event, like the rest of Luke 9, has a clear lesson: Disciples depend on Jesus!

When Jesus sent out his disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God he sent them with no provision (Luke 9:3). He was teaching them a lesson on dependence. (He would provide through the hospitality of his people.)

When the disciples returned (Luke 9:10), they did not graduate from dependence to independence. In fact, as disciples we grow to be more dependent upon the Lord rather than less.

When I preached though this text I said, “When we consider the task before us, as households, as a church, we are all too aware of our lack. We lack money. We lack supplies. We lack intelligence. We are too few in number and the people around us are too many. The needs are overwhelming. The enemy is working. We are hundreds of people in the midst of more than a million. In every earthly metric, we lose. According to every earthly metric, we can’t. The task Jesus calls us to is beyond our ability….”

“But this Christ! This one who fed the 5000. This one who died and rose from the dead. This one who cares for his own and has compassion on the multitudes. This one who is the shepherd of the sheep, leading and feeding. This one who is King of kings and Lord of lords. This one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This one whose kingdom will spread from shore to shore and to the ends of the earth. This one is with us. This one is for us. This one will provide. This one will care for his own…. This is the Christ we serve! Jesus will take your little loaves, your little fish, your ‘no more than’ and accomplish great things.”

Today we have a need before us. After hundreds of hours of searching, putting in offers on three different facilities, fasting each week, and praying constantly, we believe the Lord has answered by providing a church building at 3311 Centre St. N. It is not perfect, but it is good. It is not the ministry, but it will support the ministry. It is not the kingdom, but it will serve as an outpost for the kingdom of God. It will facilitate the multiplication of ministry, fellowship, education, cultural engagement and evangelism for years and decades to come.

At this point, we lack more than one million dollars. This is beyond our means. We have a similar dilemma as the twelve disciples with 5000 men along with women and children to feed. That was beyond their means.

We can go with Solution 1: Can’t do it. We can say, “The Lord has brought too many. We cannot accommodate everyone. We must abandon the mission.”

Or we can opt for Solution 3: Seek help elsewhere. We can go straight to the bank so that we can borrow to buy. Whether buying food for all those people or buying the building to support these people, the bank or some lender would help. It’s certainly a more practical way, a common way, an earthly way. This debt could be paid back over the next 10 years.

Or, we can go with Solution 2: Bring what we have. In this case, we would seek the Lord in prayer, depend on him, and bring to him our “loaves and fish.” Our “no more than,” our finances that we have, and see what he will do with it.

As elders, we’re not ruling out other solutions fearing that we might presume upon the Lord and constrain how he will answer prayer, but we believe it best to bring our loaves and fish in dependence upon him rather than aborting the mission or seeking help elsewhere. The need is great, we lack what is necessary, so we will bring him what we have and see what he will do with it.

On December 25th, Christmas Day, we are going to designate the offering as a loaves and fish offering. From children to seniors, from singles to families, we want everyone to bring t heir “loaves and fish” as an offering to the Lord. We will all bring our “no more than” and see what the Lord will do.

Please pray daily, pray privately and pray with your family. When God answers these prayers, great will be our rejoicing. It will be a milestone in our children’s lives, a box of bricks marking God’s faithfulness to his people.

The Lord of the harvest has multiplied his church, so let us depend upon the Lord trusting that he will also multiply our meager gifts for his glory.

For the latest building update, click here.

A Call to the Lord’s People to Give Generously

* Updated: November 15, 2022. Congregation approval received on November 13. Praying for the sale of our current facility and praying for the Lord to provide all funding necessary. Full update below.

Background

“What they meant for evil, God meant for good” (Genesis 50:20).

In June 2021, after mounting pressure related to COVID mandates and restrictions, AHS and Calgary Police locked us out of our building and imprisoned me. I spent 3 weeks in jail and our church building was seized for the month of June. Undeterred, the gathering flourished. Two important lessons were illustrated: (1) the church is not the pastor, and (2) the church is not the building. Taking away one, or both, will not stop the church from gathering and the truth from advancing. In fact, through tests and trials the church strengthens and grows.

Through the summer of 2021, as more continued to join us, we rented different facilities until restrictions returned in the fall. With no rentals available, we returned to our current facility with multiple services, oftentimes squishing in or spilling over into the overflow space in the basement. We prayed and searched in earnest for a larger place to accommodate the growing church, support discipleship and fellowship, and be an embassy of God’s kingdom in the city. After exhausting every lead, we continued to wait upon the Lord to provide in his timing. In late October a suitable church building became available and our offer to purchase was accepted!

On the evening of Sunday, November 13th, 2022, the church gathered at the new facility (3311 Centre Street N) to sing and then vote as a congregation to approve the purchase. We tested the acoustics and opened the evening by singing “Rejoice, the Lord Is King.” (You can listen to the last stanza of that hymn here.) Eighty-one percent of our members were in attendance with ninety percent voting in favor of purchasing the new facility. With the clear support of the members we’re ready to move to the next phase. First, we’ll list our current facility for sale and pray that God would direct the right buyer to us. Second, we’ve created a building fund to help pay for the new facility. We’re asking the Lord to provide $1.25 million so that we can move in without any debt.

We ended the evening by singing the Doxology together. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

A Call to the Lord’s People to Give Generously

As we pray for the Lord’s continued provision—and we must pray—we must also be prepared to be used of the Lord to answer those prayers. In Exodus 35 when the Lord commanded the construction of the tabernacle, Moses said, “Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord’s contribution” (v. 5). That is, when we ask for the Lord to provide, he doesn’t create money out of thin air or drop it down from the clouds. He stirs the hearts of his people to give—and they give generously and abundantly until the need is met. (In Exodus 36 Moses had to restrain the people from giving further because they had already brought more than enough.)

While a church building is far different than the tabernacle, there are parallels. A church “facility” facilitates worship, teaching, evangelism, fellowship, prayer, discipleship, and many other God-honoring ministries. It serves as a hub, connects to many spokes, gets rubber to the ground, and moves forward the kingdom of Christ. So what can we learn from Exodus 35 and the “building fund” there?

1. It is the Lord’s contribution. Six times it is mentioned that the contribution of funds and gifts were a contribution to the Lord (vv. 5, 21, 22, 24, 29).

These funds are to do the Lord’s work and not to build a monument to ourselves. Does the Lord really need our contribution? Yes and no. No, he doesn’t need anything, but he chooses to give to us so that we might give to him with thanks and participate in what he is doing in the world. First Corinthians 3:7 reminds us, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” Yet it is through those who plant and water that God produces a full harvest so that “we are God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor 3:9). Let’s be planting and watering where God is giving growth so that we might be partakers in his harvest!

2. It is a free will offering. Exodus 35 speaks of those with a “generous heart” (v. 5), “everyone whose heart stirred him” (v. 20), “everyone whose spirit moved him” (v. 20), “a willing heart” (v. 22), “whose hearts stirred them” (v. 26), “whose heart moved them” (v. 29), and “a freewill offering” (v. 29).

The Lord doesn’t need to exact from his people. Rather, our hearts are moved to give to the Lord freely and use what has been entrusted to us for his service. The Lord doesn’t need 50/50 draws, catered dinners, pressure tactics, guilt trips, or other contrived schemes to bring his provision. The Lord puts it into the heart of his people to give, and they freely give to the Lord.

3. Those who could, gave. In Exodus 35:24 it says, “Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord’s contribution.” It also says, “every one who possessed blue…” (v. 23); “every one who possessed acacia wood…” (v. 24); “every skillful woman spun…” (v. 25); “the leaders brought onyx stones…” (v. 27); “all the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work…”

Everyone who could make a contribution made a contribution. This is not a call to rely on the rich (the proverbial 1% which many believe should pay for everything). This is a call for everyone to consider what they have to give and to put it into the Lord’s service. You can’t give what you don’t have, but that didn’t stop everyone from bringing something to give. For some of you, the Lord has provided for you in this season so that you can give a greater contribution to the Lord.

4. It is a joy to give and see God receive thanksgiving. The Apostle Paul doesn’t hesitate to draw on the themes already seen in Exodus 35. Paul took up a collection from the churches in Galatia, Ephesus, Corinth, and Macedonia to provide for the needy saints in Jerusalem suffering due to a famine. As he asks for generosity among the saints, he writes, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:6–7).

What does he mean by reaping here? Is this prosperity theology? He explains and says, “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God” (2 Cor 9:10–12). He affirms that it is God who gives and we return a portion of what he has given to us. And what we return to him is used of him to help the saints and bring thanksgiving to him! That is, as God’s people give generously through the Lord’s provision, God’s people are moved to joy and God receives the thanks for taking our meager gifts and producing a harvest of righteousness.

When the disciples were told to feed the five thousand, they stumbled in unbelief. In the end, it was a few loaves and fish that fed a multitude. In the hands of Christ, our few loaves and fish redound to a great provision where the saints are fed and he receives all glory and thanksgiving. I know we’re tempted be like the disciples and think, “The need is too great!” But are we forgetting whom we serve? A few loaves and fish in the hands of Jesus can feed a multitude. Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). Let’s bring our loaves and fish and see what the Master does among us. Rather than depending on a loan, let’s depend on the Lord by bringing what we have and trusting him to provide. So let’s pray and trust that the Lord will stir the hearts of his people to give freely and generously.

Oh, may we see the Lord provide in such a way that there is an overflowing in many thanksgivings to him!

—Tim Stephens

P.S. I can’t recall a time when I’ve made an appeal to the church to give like this. In part, that is because we’ve been blessed by the generous giving of previous generations. We had the ability to meet these past two years because we owned our own property. This was not our own doing but was due to the generosity of those who went before us. It is our time to give such that this generation and future generations might have the same blessing we’ve enjoyed. To God be the glory!

Click here to learn more about giving to the church. A special designation can be made for the building.

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, ‘Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.’” (2 Corinthians 8:1–15).

Not Guilty!

After a trial on September 15, 2021 where I took the stand to make my defense on two counts of violating the Chief Medical Officer’s COVID health orders, the written decision was given yesterday by the judge. In short, the judge found me not guilty.

Here is a legal summary of all tickets/charges so far for me and the church:

  • 3 PHA violations for failing to wear a mask—all withdrawn.
  • 2 PHA violations for exceeding capacity limit—both withdrawn.
  • 2 PHA violations for failing to physical distance—went to trial, acquitted on both counts.
  • 1 contempt of court charge—spent 3 days in jail, then withdrawn.
  • 1 criminal charge for violating a court order—spent 18 days in jail, then withdrawn.
  • 1 PHA violation against the church—waiting to schedule trial.

Some might wonder why so many charges were withdrawn by the crown prosecutor before going to trial. Our convictions are such that we would never make a plea deal. We were ready to make a trial defense for every charge. I’m convinced that the crown recognized the weakness of their case and that the health orders and court orders used to scare many into compliance were overly broad, hurried into use, and do not provide the legal right for the government to regulate the worship of the church with lockdown measures that have proved harmful and ineffective. The same resolve that was required during COVID lockdowns must continue in the court proceedings that follow.

While I have been clear about masks, distancing, and capacity limits, this last ruling was not a ruling on those issues per se. That is, the judge’s ruling was not on whether the government mandates were constitutional or not—we are still awaiting that decision in another case. Yesterday’s ruling (which you can read in its entirety here) was strictly on two counts of violating public health orders as it relates to physical or social distancing. The crown argued that it was my responsibility to enforce, compel, and encourage physical distancing as people came to gather for worship. The judge disagreed. He understood that I was only responsible for my own actions. In the evidence submitted by the crown (pictures of our church gathered to worship), I was behind the pulpit and distanced from the congregation! Based on this, the judge acquitted me. While this is a small victory, I understand this to be the special providence of God. In God’s plan it was this judge presiding over the matter who seemed to have no desire to continue the heavy handed use of the law to punish dissenting opinions.

As I reflect on recent events, I’m certainly pleased with the outcome yet realize there is work to be done. This work is not primarily political or legal—these are important but they are downstream from the real issue. The work to be done is theological. Our society with its laws, mandates, and opinions reflect a change of “god” with corresponding views of authority and humanity that will lead to dystopia unless there is repentance. No longer are we a nation built upon the supremacy of God and the rule of law, but we are seeking to do away with God and his law to enshrine the shifting and harmful opinions of sinful man and his selfish machinations. (Chemical castration and genital mutilation of young people today is one example of reaping the godless ideas that have been sown—man is attempting to create himself in his own image and likeness.) The need of the hour is the proclamation of the good news of the kingdom of God and for his kingdom to be manifest in our churches, households, and society.

Beyond the work that needs to be done in the midst of this spiritual, religious, and cultural battle, we must take time to rejoice and be thankful in our God. I thank God that the past few years has clarified the Lordship of Christ over every realm and person for countless individuals. I’m thankful that the gospel has reached new places and new heights. I thank God for those saved from eternal death, forgiven in Jesus, and now have the hope of eternal life. I thank God that the church was tried, sifted, and strengthened. I thank God for the growth in holiness, prayer, worship, obedience, and love in so many followers of Jesus. I thank God that he has been glorified and that his kingdom has advanced. He is our refuge and strength. He is the one who vindicates the oppressed and establishes them upon the rock. He is the one who lavishes his mercy and grace. May he be praised for the all that has transpired the past few years!

    “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
    Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
    Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
    Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
    In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” (Psalm 37:1–11).

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Every year at this time Christians discuss together what they do for Halloween. Do you celebrate it? Do you try to use it as an outreach? Do you avoid it and denounce it?

What makes matters more complicated is that there are more opinions than questions. It is my aim in this article, not just to add one more opinion, but perhaps inform your opinion with a perspective rarely heard in these discussions.

Origins Debate

Discussions about Halloween among Christians quickly get into the origins of the event. I won’t delve into the details here but typically the arguments go like this: Halloween has Satanic origins therefore it should not be celebrated today. For those who contend that it is fine to celebrate today either: (1) contest those origin stories (there are plenty after all), or (2) argue that the origin (even if nefarious) is far removed from today’s celebration.

I’m convinced that the origins debate is a red herring. Our days of the week derive their names from Norse gods yet I know very few who would object to use those names on account of their idolatrous origins. The same argument can be made for months (Roman gods/emperors), and other holidays/events on our calendar.

Trivializing Spiritual Realities

In all the Halloween discussions I rarely hear how Halloween can trivialize evil themes like demons, ghouls, witches, evil spirits, and so forth. While some may use this occasion for some occultic practice, the majority would affirm that Halloween is not a celebration of evil, but a time to get dressed up, get some candy, and have a little fun with the kids. That is, the majority of people see Halloween as a fun time that trivializes and mythologizes the very real reality of spirits, demonic activity, and the unseen warfare that Scripture affirms as happening today. Halloween teaches children that such things are make believe when the Bible says they are true. Halloween teaches children that such things are “fun” and “harmless” when the Bible says they are evil and deadly.

In the end, as Christians we should all agree that we should not celebrate, promote, nor trivialize evil spiritual realities.

A Path Forward

Regardless of all the arguments and opinions, every Christian needs to chart a path forward on what to do on the evening of October 31st. Here are three options:

1. Redeem It. Some choose to use Halloween as an opportunity to make the gospel known. What some mean for evil, we’ll mean for good. This can be done in a variety of ways like handing out tracts (tract or treating?), decorating with Christian themes, or dressing up your child as Moses rather than a monster.

2. Avoid It. Some choose to avoid it. After that first door bell ring the family heads into the basement and turns out the lights. There are others ways in which this can be done to avoid it all together.

3. Replace It. Some choose to replace it by celebrating something else. An example of this is to celebrate the Reformation since October 31st is when Martin Luther posted his Ninety Five Theses and started a firestorm we call the Protestant Reformation.

Christians won’t handle this in a uniform way (cf. Romans 14). That’s ok and we should still love each other.

I have leaned toward the third way and our church has hosted a Reformation Celebration for the last number of years. On a night with so many reminders of darkness, we celebrate how after darkness there was light. Post tenebras lux, “after darkness, light” was a Latin reformation slogan describing how the light of the word has broken into the world darkened through the absence of that word. We use this evening to learn more about the past and equip for a revival of light in our own day of darkness. (Of course, we do this while having fun with candy and food too.)