Take Heart: A Catechism

The Peace Testimony

Originally taken from an article I had published in Ploughshares and written while studying at Highland Theological College. References and other useful resources: Acta Martyrum (Ratisborn, 1859) Cadoux, The Early Christian Attitude to War: A Contribution to the History of Christian Ethics (Headley Bros: London 1919) Constitution of the Oberlin Non - Resistance Society (www.nonresitance.org 17/01/09) Dresser The Bible Against War (Oberlin: Ohio, 2006) Dymond ‘The Early Christians on the subject of war’ (1821) An Inquiry into the Accordancy of War with the Principles of Christianity Gillman A Light that is Shining: an introduction to the Quakers (Quaker Books: London, 2003) Kurlansky Nonviolence (Jonathan Cape: London, 2006) Lock ‘Transcribers’ notes’, Pacificus A Solemn Review of the Customs of War (Oberlin: Ohio, 2007) Meyer The Pacifist Conscience (Rupert Hart - Davis Ltd: London, 1966) Molnar A study of Peter Chelcický’s Life and Translation of from Czech of part one of his Net of Faith (Berkeley: California, 1947) Pacificus A Solemn Review of the Customs of War (Oberlin: Ohio, 2007) Penn Address to the American Indians (1682) cited in Meyer The Pacifist Conscience (Rupert Hart - Davis Ltd: London, 1966) Ringma Resist the Powers (Albatross, 1995) Vanier Finding Peace (Continuum: London, 2003) Water Moral Choices Made Simple (Hunt Ltd, 2002) Whelpley Letters addressed to Caleb Strong ESQ (The Elm Street Printing Company, 1870)

Take Heart: A Catechism

There are many good Catechisms available. But, somewhere along the line Christians in many parts of the church at large seem to have lost this age old practice of simple instruction in the format of questions and answers. In no way is this little contribution meant to take away from good Catechisms already written, but rather to be a compliment to them. This is a simple way for me to share the good news with others. It is my hope that you the reader or listener may find biblical help from the simplicity of the good news.

Introduction to Righteousness of the Kingdom

The introduction to this message.

Righteousness of the Kingdom as preached at Peebles Evangelical Church

Prayer: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Illustrative Opening: Our Daily Bread on 17th February 1996 recounted this story: “When Henry Rolls was walking through his factory in its early days, he overheard a lathe operator say, “Oh, that’ll do,” as he tossed a part into a basket. The part looked all right to the casual observer, but Henry Rolls expected his workmen to use a micrometer and be satisfied with nothing less than precision accuracy. So when Mr. Rolls heard that comment, he reprimanded the man, “That may do for anyone else, but it will not do for Rolls-Royce.” God is satisfied with righteousness. Divine specifications do not allow for sloppy seconds. Jesus brought this out in Matthew 5. First He says to His listeners, “You have heard”—that’s the human standard. Then He says, “But I say to you”—that’s God’s standard. He highlights the standard by which God’s children should stand out from the world. That is the difference between The Kingdom of men and The Kingdom of God. Todays message is Righteousness of the Kingdom READ: Matthew 5:17-32

Grace Alone

My Christian Testimony (recorded before 2023).