For those of you who have been following my blog, I have recently been keeping Mondays as a day to tackle a question that I have been contemplating. I guess you could call it Musing Mondays. Well, with the civil unrest and heated persecution happening in Afghanistan, II've been thinking a lot about the price some are willing to pay to follow God faithfully. And I have been asking myself, "What price am I willing to pay to obey?"
Our Afghani brothers and sisters in Christ are willing to stay in their country and gather together for worship, even though the Taliban are looking for them. It's been reported that the Taliban have compiled a hit-list of known Christians that they are targeting. And that they are going door to door and even confiscating phones (looking for bible apps) in their ardent search for Christians to haul away. Is this a price that I would be willing to pay? Of course, I can't honestly know what I would do until I am faced with that situation. There's a lot at stake. It's not just my life that would be on the line, but my family. Those who are in the thick of it are fleeing to the mountains to find refuge. Would I be one of those families if I were there? Things are a bit different here in Canada. Though some pastors have been arrested, church property seized, and a bunch of Christians have been fined for their obedience – no one has lost their life. As a blogger, currently, the greatest threat to my life would be comments left by unhappy people. The future may hold more significant opposition. If the liberal party won the election and the laws they proposed were passed, I could be censored, or even thrown in jail, for some of the content on my blog. Is this a price that I am willing to pay? Some of my friends have received fines for their faithfulness to God's command to gather. I believe what they did was right both scripturally and constitutionally. With a proposed fourth wave on its way, what if Nova Scotia declares another lockdown. Would I be willing to pay the price to gather with God's people? As I type this, I am convinced that I am asking the wrong question. The question should be, "What price does God want me to pay as I follow Him?" This question has a clear answer. Jesus said to his disciples: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26). There's a few things that come to mind when I reflect on this verse. First, someone who took up their cross was carrying an instrument of death on his way to die. Jesus says here, "If you want to follow me, you need to first die to yourself." That's a hefty price! We love ourselves. I know I am prone to do things for my own reputation, promotion, and even self-preservation. This causes me, at times, to be hesitant about being bold about my faith. How about you? But in order to live for Jesus, we need to die to self. Second, a cross isn't a comfortable way to die. In fact, it was the most painful form of execution of its time. Giving up promotion, prosperity, prestige and everything else for Jesus is not easy. It's easier to go with the crowd and fit in, than to go against it and stand out. It's easier to look out for your own interests, and the interests of your family, than God's. Faithfulness is painfully unbearable at times...especially when our job, bank account, friendships, and especially life is in the line. Just ask Daniel's three friends who stood faithfully for God and was thrown into a fiery furnace as a result. Third, a person on a cross is fixed in one direction. If we want to live for Jesus, we must focused on one direction - Him! (Philippians 3:13-15) We need to find our complete identity, purpose, satisfaction and joy in Jesus alone. We need to come to the point that "To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). When that happens, we will endure opposition in its many forms. Why? Because it all pales in comparison to Jesus saying, "Well done good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23). As time goes on, things will become more difficult. And yet we are still called by God to die to self and fully live for Him. This isn't easy. It never is. So why live this way? Not simply because we are commanded to...but because Jesus is worthy of our complete obedience. If you have any question's that you'd like me to respond to, send them to me and I'll ponder them and give a response.
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Should churches use the V-passports to restrict who can attend? A couple of months ago, when the Manitoba government was implementing this document, I wondered whether this would be something we would see here in Canada. I thought the government would force the churches to do this; however, one pastor in Calgary has voluntarily implemented V-documents as a requirement for attendance.
John Van Sloten, the pastor of Marda Loop Church in Calgary, wrote an opinion piece in the Calgary Herald, laying out his defence as to why his church would require all attendees 12 and older to be fully vaccinated when the church opens for live gatherings next month. I’ve already given a case a couple of months ago as to why churches shouldn’t use V-passports as a requirement for who can attend [you can read it here]. During that same time, I also wrote about why churches shouldn’t influence or coerce people into getting the jab [you can read it here]. Since using V-documents as a requirement for church attendance has moved from the realm of theory into reality, I want to revisit this topic. Instead of rehashing things, I want to respond to Sloten’s article and dismantle his arguments. The article is split up between practical and theological reasons – starting with the practical. For me, this is never the place to start. Theology matters more than practicality. Our knowledge of God and His word is what must inform our decisions – not pragmatism. The practical arguments he gives aren’t new. First, he lays out that the church is a high-risk event. I wonder what his thoughts are with Jesus touching the lepers? Or what his thoughts are about the Afghani Christian’s gathering amid a country in turmoil? A cursory reading through the New Testament clearly shows that the church continued to gather despite high-risk events (e.g. persecution). Why? Because God has commanded us to do so, and He is worthy of our worship! If that means we get sick or die of persecution, so be it! Before Sloten presents his second practical argument, he lays down a couple of things. First, he assures those reading that this is only a temporary measure and that there are other alternatives for those who aren’t fully jabbed or have a recent negative test. He also mentions that one group will be isolated whether a church chooses to use a V-passport or not. This may sound reasonable, but there are a few problems with what he says. First, alternatives to church ISN’T church – I’ve written about this in the past (You can read it here). Second, just because it’s temporary doesn’t mean it’s right. Whether we obey doesn’t hinge on whether something is merely temporary – just ask Daniel, who continued to pray even though the edict was only for 30 days (Daniel 6:1-10). Finally, the pastor and its leadership team aren’t the ones who decide who can attend. Jesus is the head of the church (Col. 1:18), meaning he is the one who directs us in how we ought to operate. Having laid down these two things, he then presents his second practical argument. He argues that since most Albertans ages 12 and older have gotten at least one shot, this indicates that it’s something people want. People want to feel safe. So to honour their choice, he has decided to make the gathering as hospitable and safe for them. Though this may sound caring, what Sloten fails to understand is that not only are people responsible for their own health but that his duty is not to please man but God (Galatians 1:10). The question every faithful pastor must ask is, “What does God want?” And that should lead us to the Bible and not to the stats. Praise the Lord that we have an answer in the Bible. God’s design is that the sick stay home and the healthy gather (Leviticus 13). Having given two practical arguments, he then attempts to present a theological case for his decision. So, let’s tackle that. First, he says that to be a Christian is to model ourselves after Jesus, who gave up his rights for the common good and sacrifices for the sake of the weak. I’ve heard this argument before. It paints those who refuse to get jabbed as selfish people who care only about their rights. But this statement fails to factor in the totality of the situation. There are many reasons why people refuse to be jabbed. Such reasons include:
So, this is not simply an issue of rights, but an issue of conscience and safety. To say “Be like Jesus and let go of your rights” or “Be like Jesus and sacrifice for the weak” is to miss the point as to why many choose not to get it. The second theological argument which he makes is that God is pro-science and cares about our health. He builds up his line of reasoning by pointing out that historically the church had led the charge when it came to health care and understanding the biology of the human body. This statement is true, but what does this have to do with limiting church attendance to only those who are V’d? Continuing to bolster his case, he asserts that God created the human immune system, along with immunologists, epidemiologists, and public health care and policymakers. God indeed created all of these things, but again, what does this have to do with limiting church attendance to only the V’d? There are a couple of problems with this line of reasoning. First, the human immune system is remarkable at fighting off viral threats. He even admits this. So, this doesn’t help his case as to why people should get the V. He also forgets that not everyone is on the same page when it comes to the V’s. Some medical doctors and scientists are warning people of the potential harm that they may cause. Let’s be honest with ourselves; not everyone has our best interest in mind. Some are in it for the profits. Sloten is convinced that God is behind the creation and circulation of the V. After all, according to him, God is pro-science and cares about our health. I’m hesitant to say that God is pro-science. Yes, he created science, but science is that which has been proven through continual observation and testing. It is far better to say that God is pro-truth, not pro-science. In people’s minds, science is constantly evolving. And as that is the case, does God continually change his mind to keep up with “science”? Truth doesn’t change, and neither does God. And truth is found in all areas of study. There’s one final thing I want to expose. Sloten says that God cares about our health. If God cares about our health, why should we get the V? There have been severe adverse reactions to them, and there is no long-term study to prove whether it is as safe for our health as people claim. But let’s go at this from another angle. Does God honestly care about our health? Generally yes, however, God is much more concerned about our salvation and sanctification. He allowed Paul to suffer from health issues so that He would grow to depend on Him (Gal. 4:15; 6:11). He even allowed Job’s health to be taken by Satan to reveal Job’s unwavering faithfulness to Him. Our health cannot be the be-all-and-end-all of the matter. As I step back from this article written by Sloten, I am left with the impression that the culture and pragmatism are the steering wheel of his church. As Christians, we need God and His word to be what controls and steers us. Let’s take what we know and filter it through the truth of God’s Word as we navigate these choppy waters. As the US military pulled out of Afghanistan, the Taliban filled the void. This has led to many people trying to escape the country – some even trying to hang onto the wings of US planes as they left the airstrip. When people are willing to risk dying in attempts to flee a country, you get a sense of how dire the situation is.
The Taliban have sent messages to the Christian community that they know their locations. Afghani Christians for years have had to meet underground because of the severe limitations on religious freedoms in their country. Now with the return of the Taliban, any measure of security is removed. And yet, they are determined to gather, even if that means death. As I contemplated what was happening, one question that came to my mind was, “What enables Christians to defy tyrants in the face of certain death?” Maybe another way of putting it is this, “What brings about this type of courage?” For me, I think it boils down to three things – fear, faith and fellowship. Fear We often think of fear as the antithesis of courage. That is true when it comes to the fear of man, but not so when it comes to fearing God. To fear God is to find the greatest refuge. In Isaiah 8, God warns Isaiah of the coming Assyrian invasion. Oppression, destruction, and death were imminent for many- much like what is happening in Afghanistan. As God warns Isaiah, he directs him in what He should do. “Do not call everything an alliance these people say is an alliance. Do not fear what they fear; do not be terrified. You are to regard only the Lord of Hosts as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be held in awe. He will be a sanctuary; but for the two houses of Israel, He will be a stone to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 8:12-14) God instructs Isaiah not to fear what the people fear but to fear Him. That’s a strange concept to some Christians. Some churches dimmish the sheer power of God to a level of respectful amazement. But to fear God is much more than that. It includes trepidation when you contemplate how big he is and how small the universe and everything in it is. Perhaps the best way I can explain it is that the fear of God is like getting up close and personal with a lion. I’ve been to the Oaklawn Zoo a few times and saw the lions there behind a chain-link fence. Even with them behind a barrier, I feel nervous because I understand their power. If someone removed that fence, I stand no chance against its attack. It’s simply too powerful. For me, this is a glimpse of what it means to fear God. God is a lion set free that has at his disposal the power of life and death in His hands. Do you understand God’s power? Does it intimidate you? It should! When we fear God, we are more concerned about pleasing Him than our own safety (Mt. 10:27). We become resolved to serve Him with total obedience as a soldier who follows His commanding officer (2 Tim. 2:3). Could it be that our Afghani brothers and sisters fear God more than they fear man? Going back to the verses in Isaiah, we see that as we fear God, he becomes a sanctuary in our life. That imagery depicts a place of refuge. We genuinely have peace because we know that God is bigger than our circumstances, difficulties, and enemies. He is a lion that is loose and has chosen to fight for those who belong to Him. And whether we live or die, we win. Faith Fear and faith go hand in hand. When we understand the sheer power and might of God, we can trust that He can protect us. Do you remember the story of the fiery furnace? The king of Babylon ordered his nation to bow down to a gigantic gold statue made in his image. The penalty for those who dared to defy his edict was death by fire. Yet three young men chose to pay the price and stand in obedience to God. And what was it that gave them the courage? Well, note what they said to Nebuchadnezzar after being given a second chance to follow the mandate. “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). These three men had faith that God was ABLE to deliver them. How would they have known this? It’s not because they knew the future, but because they knew the past. They knew the countless times God delivered his people from certain defeat. Could it be that our Afganhi brothers and sister understand God’s awesome ability far better than we do here in Canada? But it’s not simply that the three friends trusted that God would save them, but they were resolved to not bow to the edict of the king. That’s a key component. What if after we have trusted God and stood faithfully for him, the result is that we face further opposition? Do you throw in the towel and compromise to make things easier, or do you trust that God is still good and that this trial is actually for your good? Do we trust that God will be glorified through this trial, and we will grow more in Christlikeness? Do we trust in God’s promise of eternal life that awaits all believers after their death? Courageous Christians are not supermen; they are simply average men and women who have faith in who God is, what He can do, and what He has promised. Get to know God, and you will grow in courage. Fellowship A final key source of courage is the fellowship of believers. We are inspired to live boldly when we are with others who are courageously living for God despite difficulties. An example of this is seen in the book of Philippians. When Paul was imprisoned for preaching the gospel, he didn’t stop. He kept on telling others about Jesus. And what was the result? The church grew bolder “to speak the word without fear” (Php. 1:14) You could say that courage is contagious, but it needs to be nourished. During the early church, many believers experienced persecution, much like what is happening in Afghanistan. Some were worried about gathering because of the cost attached to it. They could be spotted and killed. It’s in this context that the author Hebrews writes these words: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:23-25) When times are difficult, the church needs to gather. As we assemble, we are able to consider one another and encourage (ie. strengthen) them so that they press on in their faith without wavering. A Christian who is not engaged in a local church and surrounded by believers cannot stand against the tyranny of evil. We need people with us who know what we are going through to stir us up to carry on. Though the threat of death hangs over the Christians in Afghanistan, they are in the best place they can be. They are in a community of believers gathered together so that they can spur one another on in faithfulness. How about you? Where should you be? Yesterday, an ocean of blue swept through Nova Scotia. The conservative party won a majority government. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, the last time that the conservatives were in power was 2009 – with Premier Rodney MacDonald at the helm. That’s 12 years!
I am glad to see this change, but how it will change the landscape of our province, I’m not entirely sure. Will Tim Houston scrap the proposed Scotiapass? Will he bring us into stage 5 and fully open the province? Or will he kowtow to the unofficial health rulers in our province? Two years ago, when there was a rise of measles and whooping cough in New Brunswick, he called for legislation that would “require all students enrolling in Nova Scotia’s public school system to present either proof of vaccination or a medical exemption.” He didn’t mince words about what he thought about those who chose not to inoculate their children. In his view, it would be a senseless and selfish act that would put the lives of vulnerable children at risk. That’s the same rhetoric we hear today from governing authorities towards those who choose not to get the current vaccine. If the past is any indication, Houston may not be any different from Rankin regarding the Scotiapass. Hopefully, he proves me wrong, but what will happen if he doesn’t steer the province away from the pass? I wrote last week about the pass and the implications that come with implementing it, which you can read here. I’d encourage you to contact Tim Houston and remind him of the issues with implementing this document if you haven’t done so already. From my viewpoint, this fall will become more restrictive to at least a third of the population. Are you ready for it? Talking about elections and the fall, the federal election is just around the corner. September 20th will be the day that we find out who will be the Prime Minister of Canada. Will Trudeau continue in office, or will it be someone new? Though there may be different reasons people vote for a particular party, we should all vote with an informed mind. Don’t just look at the colour of the party – know their platforms. Understand what each party stands for and will fight for. This will take some time, study, and commitment. Don’t be lazy -do the legwork! On top of this, as Christians, we ought to compare the party platforms to what the Bible teaches. Everything, even casting a ballot, is to be done to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Readers, if the party stands against God on different moral issues – don’t vote for them! Why would you want to vote for something that God is against? Shouldn’t we vote for the party which will best represent what God’s desire is? Remember, God, and not the government, is the ruler over the earth. The government is God’s servant, and a servant is to carry out His master’s orders. Again, this is going to take time, study and commitment. You will need to study your bibles to know what God’s will is on issues of life. So let me suggest that before you vote, get acquainted with the platforms and understand God’s Word. Vote as an ambassador of Jesus, not as a political strategist. Who likes to ask questions? I’m a curious person, and I find that I often want to know what other people think. I don’t always agree, and sometimes it shows. I find that you get to know someone better when you start to ask questions. You find out their perspective, where they stand and how they have come to their conclusions. You sometimes even discover that you aren’t alone in your viewpoint, and that can be reassuring.
Starting on Saturday, I posted my first question on my new Facebook page. I plan to post a question each week where you can share your opinion and viewpoint on a given topic. Hopefully, it will encourage discussion with others, and we can strengthen and even challenge one another to think reasonably. The question that I posted on Saturday was, “What do you think will bring about the greatest lasting good in our province and nation?” Let me share with you how this question came about. As I flip through social media and see posted comments, I get the impression that some believe that we can change things in our favour depending on how loud we protest or which way we vote. As a Christian, I truly understand why we would want this. The country that we love is in a mess. It’s in a moral free fall on a collision course to destruction. I’m stunned to see the country I knew become a distant stranger. As a parent, I am concerned about Canada’s moral state as my daughter grows older and becomes more aware of her surroundings. Unless there is a revival, our nation will continue to fall morally and become more oppressive towards Christians. So, I get it. We want our nation to change and start to support Christian values and the fundamental rights and freedoms given by our creator. But will protesting and voting bring about that change we desire? Let’s be honest with ourselves. Often the results of protesting and voting don’t go in favour of Christians. Remember, the world is at enmity with God (James 4:4). Though there are some Christians engaged politically, the majority of elected representatives are not Christian. Now, don’t get me wrong. As Christians, we should vote and protest. Biblically, we are to stand for justice and defend the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:9). But what happens if, after we voted, the wrong candidate gets elected? What happens if, after we protested, the government doesn’t even bat an eye? I’m reminded of a verse in the book of Psalms. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7). Our hope as believers is not in the democratic system but in Jesus, who presently reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. All authority has been given to him, and he will bring all injustice to an end one day. As Christians, we all long for this day. And an awareness of this helps us have hope even when the world is at war against us. You see, we know that ultimately we are on the winning side. And though we may face increased opposition and unjust rulings, there will be an accounting one day. They will stand before God and be judged for their actions. They will be cast from his presence, and all who have faithfully served Christ will enter into a perfect world of endless bliss. I’m glad that I have this hope, and I long for this day, but that’s the future, and I’m currently living in a country on a rapid moral decline. What will bring about good that lasts longer than votes and protesting? There are a couple of obvious ones – prayer and repentance. Yesterday, as I was thinking about prayer, I was reminded of 1 Timothy 2:1-2. In verse one, we are called to pray for all people, especially governing authorities. In verse two, Paul gives us a reason for this – “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (v. 2). As Christians, we desire to live peacefully. It is the government, through their imposed restrictions and immoral decisons, which has stirred up conflict. The same thing was happening during Paul’s time. And what does Paul instruct the believers to do? Pray for their government. Particularly in mind would be praying for their salvation. If our governing authorities get saved, they will begin to make just laws, and the conflict will end. We need to pray for our government that they may repent. But there are things that we need to repent from as a church. We need to repent of making our image an idol. We are so worried about what people will think of us that we fear engaging vocally against certain sins in our nation. We need to repent of diluting God’s Word. Too many sermons today are motivational pep talks instead of thundering rebukes and corrections that are so desperately needed in our morally declining nation. One thing that presses close to home is that we need to repent of shrugging off our duty as parents to teach our children. Our child has been given to us by God, and God expects us to raise and train them yo know and follow Him. It’s our duty, and no one else’s, to teach our child. And this is especially true of us as Dads. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) If we want our world to change, we need for our world to know God and what He requires. And that needs to start with our own children. This will take much time, effort, commitment, and patience. It's something I am growing to learn. Though its hard work, its our duty. And its a duty that we are responsible for throughout the day from morning to evening (Deut. 6:7). And let me add that we can’t instruct our children to do something without first demonstrating it ourselves. “Do what I say, and not what I do” is just hypocrisy. As a father, I must be living out the instructions I have been given by my heavenly Father first so that my daughter will not simply hear but see how God wants us to live. So are you shrugging off your duty as a parent? At this moment, are they ready to face the world, or do they need more training to counter the false and pagan ideologies this culture gives? Do they know what God has to say on matters of race, sexuality, origins, and what constitutes life? If they don’t, they aren’t ready for the world, let alone public school. That brings me to something else. Stop handing your children over to the public school system and wondering what has happened to them. For years we have complained about what is being taught in the schools, yet we continue to send them. How crazy is that? Voddie Baucham has rightly acknowledged, “We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education and be surprised when they come home as Romans”. If we want to change the world, we need to lay a solid biblical foundation for our children. When they are confronted, they can push back with the truth of God’s Word and expose the lies and deceit that are being embraced. We need our children trained and equipped to fight the spiritual battle and rescue the perishing. We need our children fit and able in the strength of God to stir up the conscience of others. And that doesn’t happen overnight. We are to be in for the long haul. So these are just some of my thoughts on this question. I’d love to hear yours! On Monday, August 9, Premier Rankin made an announcement that really riled up Nova Scotians. If elected, he would explore the concept of adopting a provincial vaccine passport, referred to as the ScotiaPass. To say things got heated in the province, especially on social media, would be an understatement.
I've tackled the topic of vaccine passports in an earlier blogpost when Manitoba implemented theirs. You can read my thoughts on that here. However, with the recent announcement made on Monday, I want to re-examine this issue. What's the state of our province? Is there a justified reason for the passport? What's the purpose of implementing this document, and what are the implications of implementing it? These are some of the questions I want to explore. So let's get a snapshot of our province. As of August 10, there are currently 17 active cases. Of a population of 989,742 that means only 0.002% of the current population has been confirmed to have the virus. That is minuscule compared to other provinces in Canada, where it is 2% of the populace. Statistically, Nova Scotia should not be worried about the spread of the virus, especially when you add to this the fact that the province has the second-highest vaccine coverage in Canada. Currently, 76.7% of the population has already received one or more dosages. 67% have received two shots. You can see the stats for yourself here. If you've been reading my blog, you know where I stand on the issue of vaccines. My intention here is merely to work within their own narrative to show how absurd a vaccine passport is. The threat communicated by the government and media sources is the Delta variant, which has been around since early April in Canada. It's being suggested that the spread of this variant could mean an increase in hospitalizations. This has led the Nova Scotia government to push for early vaccine appointments and now the proposed use of a vaccine passport. They are doing what they can to defend themselves from this proposed threat. But does the spread of the Delta variant mean an increase in hospitalizations? The UK medical field has done extensive testing in regards to the vaccine's ability to counter the variant. It has been reported that the shot protects the individual from getting significant symptoms. So, bring in the vaccine stats. 67% of the population has been fully vaxxed, which leaves only 33% who either have received none (23.3%of that total) or one shot (76.7% of that total). I'm uncertain how many of the 23.3% include children under 12 and those who, for medical reasons, are unable to receive the shot. If anyone has the stats for this, I'd love to see that. There may have been a rise in ICU usage with the emergence of the virus, but at no time in Nova Scotia were the ICUs beyond capacity in the province. And that was before the increase in vaccines. Why do we think things will be different this time around, especially now that there is a supposed measure of protection against the virus and its variants? Think logically, not fearfully. Work with facts, not feelings. Let's think this through a little more. What protection does a vaccine passport offer? A vaccine is not a magical thing that gives 100% immunity to a person against the virus. The vaccinated can also still carry and transmit the virus and its variants to others. The passport does not limit the spread of a virus, so what exactly does it accomplish? I think it's logical to say that it serves to coerce people into getting the vaccine. The provincial government has been pushing people to get the jab for months now. Currently, they are holding us hostage at phase 4 of their 5-phase reopening plan. Phase 5 is when we start to move into the "new normal" of living with the virus. Apparently, the "new normal" involves a proof of vaccination card giving certain rights and freedoms to the vaccinated and consequently withholding them from the unvaccinated. By doing this, some people will feel they have no other choice than to get the jab, even if they are opposed or hesitant towards it. This is how the government mandates a vaccine without officially mandating it. This is dirty pool, but many of us saw it coming. Talking about dirty pool, the timing in which Rankin announced the possibility of a vaccine document was dishonorable. One week ago Strang was hesitant to implement a vaccine document of some kind because he feared it would further polarize people. However, one week later Rankin makes this announcement in the middle of an election. The advance polls opened on Saturday, and more than 47,000 votes were already cast before Rankin made his announcement. What if those who already voted for the liberal party do not favour this direction the Premier is deciding to take? They cannot recast their vote. No wonder many people are infuriated! The proposed implementation of this document holds a couple of significant implications. First, it automatically creates a two-tiered society – the vaccinated and the unvaccinated – with special privileges given to the vaccinated. Since it is in the exploratory stage, we only know that proof of immunization could be needed when dining at restaurants, shopping, visiting gyms and other businesses. We could look at how other provinces and countries are using theirs, but it's anyone's guess what Rankin has in mind. Second, it creates an environment of targeted opposition and hatred towards a particular group. A Macleans' opinion piece sent to me reveals the measure of contempt waiting to be unleashed. It was entitled, "No more carrot - bring out the stick". In that article, the writer characterizes those who refuse to get the vaccine as defiant toddlers too dumb to think logically and therefore need to be punished in order to do "the right thing." This is such an ignorant and arrogant understanding of those who haven't gotten the shot yet. There are scientists and doctors with MDs that are warning the populace about the impact that taking the vaccine may have on people. One of the creators of the mRNA vaccine has even come out to warn of potential spike protein shedding. Are these people toddlers? They are experts in their field who have been trained to think logically and critically. If someone resorts to name-calling, they don't have an argument that can hold up to scrutiny. This heated opposition is inevitable, and Rankin has already stoked the fires in the way he presented the possibility of a passport. Listen to the way he sets this up. In the news release he said, "In Nova Scotia, we have done so well, and we don't want to squander our hard work. We need to continue testing, wearing masks and getting vaccinated. But I believe a vaccination certification could help us continue to manage the virus and ensure Nova Scotians are safe and businesses can thrive." Do you see what he did? Those who are wearing masks and getting vaccinated are those who are working hard to keep people safe and ensuring businesses can thrive. Those who refuse to get vaccinated, or wear a mask, are squandering that hard work. These words set it up that the unvaccinated take the blame and are vilified, leading to further tensions between the two groups. Though this document will be viewed by many as a reward for their hard work, it is nothing more than a coercive measure seeking to punish the unvaccinated. This piece of paper will ultimately further divide our province and pit one group against another. Readers, a nation (or province) divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:24-25). Whether you are vaxxed, or not, we need to be united together against this proposed document. As Christians what should we do?
Following up with Thursday's blog post, I want to share a few more thoughts on censorship- starting with why it is uncomfortable.
Whether written or vocal, our words are a way in which we engage with others and express our values, thoughts, and opinions. To be regulated in what we can say interferes with our ability to express ourselves. No one likes to be restrained. We are convinced we have something to say, and we want our voice to be heard – not silenced. But censorship, especially backed up with punitive consequences, muzzles us. Muzzles are for animals, not for humans. Now, don't get me wrong, what we say matters. The cute saying, "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me," is simply a fairy tale. Words carry weight and have an impact on the recipient. The Bible warns us about our tongue, calling it an untamable member with the potential to do much harm (cf. James 3:5-10). The keyboard is simply an extension of the tongue – an instrument to convey words and thoughts. We need to be aware of what we say and how we say it. Our words can be a weapon or a tool, poison or medicine (cf. Proverbs 16:24). They can start a fire of put it out (cf. Proverbs 15:1-2), build up or tear down (cf. Proverbs 11:29), bring life or take it (cf. Proverbs 12:18; 18:21). There are many verses in the Bible dealing with our speech because it's an ever-present issue in our life. As you flip from one verse to another, you begin to learn that God desires for our speech to be…
Hate speech, as defined by that which stems from anger and seeks to vilify an individual, has no room in the Christian life. But who gets to define what hate speech is and who gets to regulate it? That's the crux of the matter. Look over these verses that I've referenced. You'll notice that at no point is the government mentioned as having authority to determine what we can say. Instead, in each of them, God calls the individual to self-regulate their own words. God alone has the authority to dictate and limit our speech. He alone defines what is genuinely hate speech, not the government - and He has already done that. We merely need to recognize how he has intended us to communicate. From my perspective, by the Canadian government regulating online content, they are veering from their sphere of authority, usurping God's role, and removing personal responsibility. From the government's perspective, they are seeking to stifle hate-related crimes prompted by hate speech. But is censorship the answer to this problem? Think about it, does a muzzle on an aggressive dog cause it to behave? What we need is not regulations but a new heart. Jesus teaches us that our hearts determine what comes out of our mouths. Listen to what he said to the Pharisees, which no doubt would today be marked as hate speech by our society. "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). Censorship may muzzle a person virtually, but it will never change the heart. Hateful words may be removed from the internet, but the hateful heart keeps beating. That heart needs to be removed and replaced with a new one. And that's what takes place when someone hears the gospel and responds to faith in Jesus. At that moment, God takes our incentive hate-filled self-centred heart and replaces it with a new sensitive love-filled heart that desires to honour God (cf. Ezekiel 36:26-27). When we desire to honour God, our speech changes, and we use words that are wholesome, respectful, strengthening, truthful, wise, fit and restrained. Why? Because not only is this how God desires us to talk but because God has shown us insurmountable love, grace and mercy, which we desire to show to others. Governmental regulations are not needed when this takes place. Without heart transformation, what will online regulations accomplish? Censorship without salvation is like putting a muzzle on a rabid dog. The danger persists because the heart of the problem is the problem of the heart. But this isn't the only issue, is it? To those who are awake to the spiritual battle that is taking place in our nation, the nature of the proposed regulations is easy to spot. It's not simply a suppression of hateful words but a suppression of truth, particularly the undiluted truth of scripture. And here's the thing about that - no one can win that fight! God's Word will always prevail and advance. Is God in control of even this battle? Yes. He is the one who is permitting the government to advance its agenda. God's church grows best under opposition and persecution. This activity will only encourage the faithful believers to wake up, stand up, and speak up! It will cause a generation to take their faith seriously and engage on moral and political issues with their nation. And even if their posts are removed, the faithful believer will always find a way to share the unadulterated, undiluted Word of God. Do you remember Bill C-10? It was an amendment to the Broadcasting Act and Criminal code that Trudeau’s government was attempting to push through Parliament. The bill would have regulated social media platforms’ content in a couple of ways, ensuring that the content reflected Canadian values and culture.
On the surface, this bill may look innocent, but it is problematic for the church for two reasons. First, regulation of content is nothing more than censorship. And as Canadians, we have the right to free speech. Second, Trudeau’s government believes that Christianity does not reflect Canadian values. For the church, Bill C-10 is a muzzle disguised as a bill. Thankfully the conservative party pushed back and stalled the bill from passing before Parliament’s summer recess. According to parliamentary procedures, if Trudeau calls for an election this fall, this bill would have to restart the process from the beginning. This was a victory, but it was short lived. You see, there is a war on free speech in our nation – and the thing about a war is that it is composed of many battles. On the heels of Bill C-10 was an even more aggressive bill, Bill C-36. It was introduced on June 23, 2021, in an attempt to curb “online hate.” This bill seeks to make hate speech online a crime punishable by jail time. There are a few warning bells on this bill for the church. First, the bill leaves the meaning of hatred and hate speech vague. According to the bill, “Hatred means the emotion that involves detestation or vilification and that is stronger than dislike or disdain”. The bill defines hate speech as “the content of a communication that expresses detestation or vilification of an individual or group of individuals on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination”. The grounds of discrimination are “race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability or conviction of an offense for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered." So what exactly would be labelled as hate speech? Would a sermon that is uploaded online that addresses the sin of homosexuality, transgenderism, and other moral issues be labelled hate speech? Well, this is something that would be left up to the courts to decide. If the courts deem this as hatred, this would further silence the already quiet voice of the church. Second, anyone can make a complaint and remain anonymous if they feel threatened. Though some may see this as giving the victim a measure of safety, I see this as providing a complainant more ability to accuse someone falsely. We should have the right to know who has a complaint against us so that there can be discussion and clarity on the matter. A final warning bell is that the bill proposes creating a new peace bond to help prevent hate propaganda offences and hate crimes. To prevent something is to stop something before it even happens. Have you ever watched the movie Minority Report? That’s what I think of when I read this section of the bill. Someone who thinks something will happen, even if it hasn’t yet, can apply for a peace bond to be imposed on an individual to deter that person from committing the crime. Yikes! Now, these two bills that I’ve mentioned were in Parliament before the summer recess. But Trudeau seems to be making censoring free speech a part of his platform. He promises the introduction of another bill in the fall of 2021 to regulate online social media platforms. On top of this he is also promising to appoint a chief censor, called a Digital Safety Commissioner, in the fall. The Digital Safety Commissioner will be empowered to block websites as well as make content inaccessible to viewers. They will also be responsible for proving advice on content moderation and issue compliance orders to social media platforms under the threat of $25 million fines. The fight for free speech is not over. So how does this affect the church? An online presence of the gospel on hot-topic moral issues could potentially diminish. Pastors and speakers may be hesitant to declare the truth clearly and boldly for fear of repercussions. Do you think there is something bigger happening? Think about it for a moment. For over a year, the government has imposed restrictions upon the church, forcing them to go online. Now that many churches have gone online, the federal government is hoping to regulate online content— a government that is not in favour of the church. Remember, Trudeau is on record of saying that Christianity is the worst part of Canadian society. It’s time to wake up, stand up, and speak up – for whether you like it or not, you are in a fight. And what we have to say as Christians, is what our nation needs - the gospel! "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) Yesterday I was sent an article about a Regina mayor entering a cross-dressing competition which will be held in Saskatchewan at the end of August. The money goes towards Lulu’s Lodge, a Regina LGBTQ2S+ youth home that seeks to support those embracing the homosexual lifestyle. Sandra Masters, who will be joined by two city councilors, a sitting MLA, and media personalities to dress up as the opposite sex, is hoping to raise $10,000.
Cross-dressing is not a new concept. However, where at one time this practice happened in private, it has become increasingly more public over the years in Canada. In fact, libraries and schools bring in drag-queens to read books to children. Society desires to normalize this practice, but there is nothing normal about it. In fact, God sees this practice as an abomination (Deut. 22:5). What does it say of a society that promotes what God has called abhorrent? What does it say about a mayor’s character and mindset to engage in a competition that flaunts immoral behaviour? How does this character play out when it comes to making decisions for her city? When it comes to the clothing we choose, God's will is that it must display modesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10) and gender distinction (Deut. 22:5). We are to dress in a way that shows humility, orderliness, and restraint. Yet, our culture promotes wearing clothing that flaunts our body and status and promotes practices that confuse our gender (ie. cross-dressing). Canada has been on a moral free-fall for decades. But what do we expect from a nation that has decided to reject the truth of scripture? The only thing that can happen to a country that removes God and His Word is a free-fall into greater sin (cf. Rom. 1:18-32). And that is what we see happening today at an alarming rate. This cross-dressing competition is just one of many pieces of evidence of the moral decline of our nation. So what should we do as Christians? Pray! The only way to stop the free-fall is a revival in our nation. People need to recognize their sin, fear God, turn to Him and be saved. They need a new heart with new desires, which come at the moment of salvation. Only then will people desire to walk in obedience to God and His way. So pray for our nation! And as you are praying, share the gospel! Share how their sin has provoked God’s wrath and that the only way to escape judgement is through receiving God’s gift of salvation. Let them know that this gift came with a price - the death of Jesus as he paid for our sin. Let them know there is forgiveness for all sins - even the sin of cross-dressing - and that God desires to save and forgive them. My grandpa used to say, “A spade is a spade, and a shovel is a shovel”. Apparently, the way he said it was much more colourful – or at least that’s what my Dad had told me. My grandpa’s expression is easy enough to understand – something is what it is. We are to call things for what they are, not for what we imagine them to be. We live in an upside-down world where right is wrong, black is white, and gender is arbitrary. To add to this problem, in our pursuit to be nice, we refrain from calling things for what they are. Instead of sacrificing honesty and critical thinking on the altar of politeness, we need to stand and declare what is true. So, what exactly is truth? The truth is that which corresponds to objective reality. It is something that is evident and can be observed and tested. Our upside-down world was on full display at the Olympic games on Monday, with the first-ever transgender athlete competing in the women’s weightlifting competition. A 2015 International Olympic consensus allows for transgender athletes to compete in women’s events. This ruling not only allows for unfair athletic competition but also continues to keep the world from embracing a lie. No matter how many alterations a person does with their body, they cannot change their genetic code. At the moment of conception, a person’s gender is determined by the XY chromosomes on the genetic sequence. Two X chromosomes mean the baby will be born a girl; one X and Y chromosome mean the baby will be born a boy. It’s that simple. Hubbard, the New Zealand transgender athlete, was born with an X and Y chromosome, meaning he is a male. Even though he has altered his body, his DNA doesn’t lie. As a male, he ought to have competed with the other men. What should Christians think about transgenderism? Simply put, it is the embracing of a lie. A lie is that which does not correspond with objective reality. Objectively a person’s DNA either has 2 X’s or an X and Y. This can be observed and tested, meaning that reality only consists of two genders. And this corresponds to God’s revealed word. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) Desiring to be the opposite gender, and especially taking steps in trying to change your gender, shows discontentment in how God created you. It is to say that God, the all-wise and benevolent creator, made a mistake when he created you (Psalm 139:13-16). As Christians, we need to speak up and share the beauty of their biological gender with these individuals. So take time and consider the immense value of each one.
We should never embrace, tolerate, or support the lie of transgenderism. We need to call things for what they are. Though a person may identify and desire to be identified with the opposite sex, we are to treat and view them the way God created them (ie. their biological gender). To treat them differently distorts God’s good design and even attributes unfair treatment to each gender. In Hubbard’s case, typically, a man can lift more than a woman. Scientific study shows “that women generally produce about two-thirds the amount of total strength and applied force that men produce. Women are also physically built so that they generally carry two-thirds as much muscle mass as men.” To allow men that identify as women to compete in women’s sports is to do a disservice to the talented women who have worked hard to be where they are. Thankfully Hubbard was outshined by actual women. For more info about the topic of transgenderism check out this article. |
AuthorHello! I'm glad you found my blog. My name is David Hanson, and I am a concerned Christian who desires for the church of North America to become aware and begin to think biblically of what is happening around them in society. It's time for the church to awake and speak into the current events of the day. We alone have the truth to navigate life effectively. That truth is the Word of God. Archives
May 2022
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