October 2008

Report on the 16th Believers Church Conference Differences between denominations can be helpful, and when it comes to discussing these differences, the Believers Church tradition has a lot to offer…

With a whole new take on the concept of denominations, the emergent church (alternately known as emerging church) is cutting across old ecclesiological boundaries. Gareth Brandt examines the remarkable similarities between…

Monique shared this testimony at Gathering 2008 in Montreal, during the opening celebration service. Good morning. I’ve come to talk to you about resurrection. Not Jesus’ resurrection, but my own.…

Steven Bouma-Prediger and Brian J. Walsh
Home is more than a roof with four walls
People who pick up Beyond Homelessness expecting to learn what it means to live on the street may be surprised that the book has as much to say about their own life as it does about the lives of street people…

MBMSI Redesigned website; Adopt a terrorist for prayer; Global food crisis; Emergency response to hurricanes and tropical storms; Abuse: Response and Prevention booklet; Carbon offset fund; Christians have fled Orissa, India; MEDA in European Market; Lutheran World Federation asks forgiveness; Add a second prayer or mediation to Ontario provincial parliament

After 19 years of serving at West Portal Church, Saskatoon, Dwayne Barkman resigned as senior pastor. The congregation marked Dwayne’s last Sunday as pastor with a celebration farewell and luncheon, July 27.

Paul Redekop
Is punishment all bad?
Professor Paul Redekop – unrelated to this reviewer – has written a challenging book with a novel thesis: “The practice of punishment cannot be justified on moral, religious, or utilitarian grounds. Just as we long ago abandoned other forms of ritual sacrifice, so we now [need] to do the same with punishment…

Alain Epp Weaver, Editor
Theology of land questioned
With an introduction and 12 chapters by five authors, Under Vine and Fig Tree explores and explains the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict in relation to biblical theologies and practical concerns. The book includes helpful resources such as maps, conflict timeline, glossary of terms, a Scripture index, and a list of further resources…

For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up  before all nations.…

The makers of the most watched film of all time have released a women’s version. Magdalena: Released from Shame knits together footage from the original Jesus film in episodic flashbacks,…

Wilma L. Derksen
Story teaches acceptance
The Emerald Angel is an adult story told through the perspective of a child. Main character Ava feels invisible to her family; she’s an unwanted child whose mistakes are chastised and whose good deeds are overlooked…