Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.… This is… Continue reading Democracy on its way out?
Rejoicing, recounting, remembering, reflecting! What an evening it was! The convention centre in Perth was packed with 2300 voices praising God in song and words! I don’t think I ever heard that many voices at once singing in unison from the psalms and hymns: Come thank the LORD, his goodness praising (Psalm 118), O LORD… Continue reading Celebrating 60 years of reformed education
There is hardly any government that does not borrow money to finance its desires. It is not done today, to increase taxes. In a democracy, increasing taxes almost certainly is political suicide. Instead of staying within its means, the government often decides to borrow money. Easy, of course. Keep everyone happy. The problem? The next… Continue reading Should the government guarantee higher taxes for your children in return for lower taxes for you?
Lots of stories go around on the internet, on Facebook and other social media, or are being forwarded by email, preferably to all the contacts in your address book. Those articles, which speak about dreadful things government authorities and other organisations are doing, whether it is in the USA or in our own country or… Continue reading Outraged all the time: why Christians can’t be
Reformed Perspective runs an interesting article written by Rob Slane, about a discovery by scientists at Princeton University. These scientists published findings which could forever change the way we think about biological sex. Until now, it had been assumed that the sex of a person was determined by how a person felt. But now researchers… Continue reading Princeton scientists announce discovery of “sex chromosome”
ARPA Australia reports some other marriage-related news: • The WA Education Minister, Sue Ellery, has backed the board of John Forrest Secondary College for writing a letter to tennis legend Margaret Court in which they told her she could no longer be a tennis mentor and role model for students because her views “concerning family… Continue reading Marriage under attack
With same-sex marriage set to be legalised, there is still no consensus on how religious freedom will be protected. Some conservative politicians (including Mathias Cormann and Peter Dutton) are pushing for religious freedoms to be protected in separate legislation and debated next year. A second group (including Matt Canavan, Scott Morrison, Eric Abetz and Andrew… Continue reading No consensus on protection of religious freedoms
As was predicted, the legalization of same-sex-marriage (which still has to happen) will not be the end of the crusade of the gay-movement against Christianity. Now they are going after the faith-based schools. Australians are not allowed to have different opinions than theirs, and what is the best way to change the opinions of future… Continue reading WA: Faith-based schools under threat
(Reported by ARPA Australia) Victoria will become Australia’s first state to legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide, with a bill passing the state’s upper house 22 votes to 18 after a marathon 28-hour sitting. From 2019, Victorians who are deemed to be terminally ill with a life expectancy of less than six months will be able… Continue reading Euthanasia in Victoria, not in NSW
The ABC (20 October 2017) reports that Victoria’s controversial voluntary euthanasia legislation was passed in the Lower House of Parliament 47 votes to 37. The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill will now go to the Upper House. The ABC states: “In most cases — estimated to be about 150 a year — the lethal dose would… Continue reading Surprising Responses to Euthanasia Bill
It is a year ago now that Mr. Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States. A lot has happened in one year. We notice that, still, the mass media are out in full force to vilify Mr. Trump. They do whatever they can to show him as the worst president ever. One… Continue reading The Devil’s Ministry of Propaganda
ARPA Canada lawyer, John Sikkema ARPA lawyer John Sikkema appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada last week, making arguments as an intervener in the so-called “Wall” case. That’s the one where the Supreme Court has been asked whether secular courts have authority to intervene in matters of ecclesiastical discipline. The arguments are being heard… Continue reading The Supreme Court as Reformed Synod?
The Canadian Reformed Seminary (CRTS) in Hamilton, Canada, organized a project, this year, which is called ‘Celebrate 1517’. For this project, CRTS created a number of opportunities in the arts. Part of this project was to have ‘commissioned music’ which can be performed by bands and orchestras. Mr. Kent Dykstra in British Columbia composed “Arise”.… Continue reading Celebrate 1517 – Music
Facebook has been criticized a lot by Christians. However, that does not seem to decrease the use of Facebook among them. Granted, Facebook can be used in a good way. It has its benefits. But sometimes I cringe when I read some of the posts. Very personal conversations going on in the comments. Sometimes parents… Continue reading Facebook: Big Brother watching over you?
Andre Schutten, Director of Law and Policy of ARPA Canada, reports on the proceedings at a Justice Committee meeting of the House of Commons in Canada, as the committee debated the amendments to Bill 51 and the clause on s. 176 which gives enhanced protections to worship services in Canada’s Criminal Code. The government of… Continue reading Canada: Criminal Law protections for worship services saved
A fundamental shift As mentioned in the previous article the right understanding of the history of Western Civilization is under serious threat in Australian universities, school, media and the arts. The vital big picture developments and crucial events in history are downplayed and replaced by trendy politically correct subjects; this corrupts the understanding of the… Continue reading “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes” – Part 2
(1) See J H Van den Berg, Dr. Gedane Zaken. G F Callenbach. The Netherlands. 1977. (2) Blanchard, John. Does God Believe in Atheists? Evangelical Press Darlington UK. 2000. p 121 (3) Blanchard, John. Pop Goes the Gospel, p. 84 (4) Quoted in The Dallas Morning News, Oct. 29, 1978, p. 14A).
In one week, the USA saw a terrorist in New York killing 8 people, a man “nonchalantly” walking into a Denver Walmart store and fire a handgun at shoppers, leaving three dead, and at least 26 people killed in a “church massacre” in Texas. And this all only one month after a 64-year-old man in… Continue reading Culture of Death
A recent discussion around the Consistory table revealed that the elders in Smithville are concerned about the ease with which our Young People (and some not so young) strike up a romantic relationship with a person outside the church. As a result of that discussion, the elders have encouraged me to republish a Bit to… Continue reading Dating – who?
Some time back in May, I think it was, those responsible for organizing the graduation event for the Guido Class of 2016 asked me provide the parents’ address to the students. I take the liberty to share the resulting address via this Bit to Read. The ceremony was held last week Saturday, October 1. Mr… Continue reading Nothing but your Best
