Reviewed by Robert Larmer. It is impossible in a short book to cover comprehensively so vast and complex a subject as metaphysics, so Hasker wisely confines himself to four: (i) free will versus determinism, (ii) the mind-body problem, (iii) the nature of the world, i.e., realism versus idealism, and (iv) God’s relation to the world. … Read more
Covenanting Liturgy
By Calvin Brown. This Covenanting Liturgy is based on Hebrews 11 and the Covenanting Prayer. It should be read with enthusiasm, feeling and growing intensity. The sense is that as we help one another remember the faithfulness of God exhibited among his people we more and more identify with them until we become one with them in Spirit and are willing also to make gladly the commitment that they did. … Read more
Celebrating Our Cross-cultural Evangelistic Missionary Heritage: The Centenary of James Ira Dickson
By Rev. Dr. A. Donald MacLeod. The tireless efforts of James Dickson, a Canadian Presbyterian missionary, were seminal in the advancement of Christianity in Taiwan, especially among the hill tribes. His wife, Lillian Dickson, began the Mustard Seed Mission, emphasizing sturdy church buildings, adequate child care, orphan protection, and vocational training. … Read more
The Revival of Storytelling
By Fred Ash. There is a revival afoot, a return to the simplicity of storytelling by which one person sits (or stands) before a group of listeners and tells them a story — no fancy equipment, no elaborate props, no information technology, just a storyteller and her voice. … Read more
Closing the Back Door of the Church
By John C. Zimmerman. Every church has a back door. Formerly active members slip through this door, often unnoticed, on their way out of the church. The key to closing this door is found in the care we give to our members. … Read more
Prayer, by Hans Urs Von Balthasar
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. This may be a theological book but it is theology as poetry, theology as a way of understanding the language of the Scriptures as much as the doctrine of the Scriptures. … Read more
Leading God’s People and Caring for God’s People, by Stewart Matthew et al
Reviewed by Peter Bush. These are handbooks for the training of elders, with chapters focusing on helping elders develop their leadership skills, enhance teamwork within sessions, and become pastoral care-givers in their districts. … Read more
College Leaders Respond to Some Questions
The questions are about the most important thing that graduates will take away with them, how colleges are addressing the matter of the church in decline, assumptions about the level of Christian formation that entering students have, the biggest challenge facing the colleges, and new initiatives at the colleges. … Read more
“Unless the Lord Builds the House …”
By J. H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. We all need to work at our marriages and family lives every day of our lives. Thank God that He is there to sustain and help us. If He builds and we build, what a building it will be! … Read more
’99 Travel Highlights
Calvin Brown, the Executive Director of The Renewal Fellowship, presents pictures of his recent trip to Manitoba … Read more
Josh’s Promise (A Modern Parable of Grace)
By Ivan S. Gamble. A parable illustrating the truth that it is by grace that we have been saved, through faith … Read more
Contemporary Worship at St. Paul’s, Ottawa
By Sarah Lee and Mark Richardson. At St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, contemporary worship emphasizes God and his Word, and shapes a space where people can worship in spirit and in truth, in a spirit of freedom. Although aimed at younger people, many seniors appreciate it and even prefer it over the traditional service. … Read more
Is Christ the Only Way?
By Clark H. Pinnock. The ideology of pluralism fills the air of Western culture and puts tremendous pressure on Christian claims surrounding the uniqueness of Christ. This ideology stems from secular humanism … Read more
The Magnificent Promise: The Unifying Power of Prayer, by Helen Smith Shoemaker
Reviewed by Shirley Charleson. There is a great proliferation of books on the subject of prayer; this is understandable. Helen Smith Shoemaker, the author of The Magnificent Promise, points out in her introduction “When you pray”, Jesus says, not “if you pray.” … Read more
Impressions of the 117th General Assembly
Bob and Olive McBay reflect on the decisions and atmosphere of the General Assembly as first-time attenders. … Read more