IShowSpeed in Africa: The Danger of Internet Idols

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— Joe Shoko

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The media is awash with posts of a young man named ‘IShowSpeed’. Presidential motorcades had to be unleashed to accommodate him on his African tour, where he vowed to visit over 20 African countries in a short space of time, with the aim and agenda to show the world that Africa is not as backward or archaic as they presume it to be. 

The allure produced by being in the presence of people of renown is not new to our day. The Queen of Sheba trekked from faraway lands to listen to the wisdom of Solomon in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the adoring crowds heaped praises upon King Herod after he gave a powerful speech. Two thousand years later, who is this man who has gripped the young and old and managed to make them ‘follow’ him whilst he does crazy stunts on his 3-5 hour live-streams? 

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SUCCESSOR: The Transparency of Theodore Beza

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Watch Theodore Beza video here

The “Reformation Wall” is a monument in Switzerland that honors four great men of the Protestant Reformation. These theological giants were called “reformers” because they worked diligently to change and improve the corrupt church of their day.

The four men standing upright upon the wall—from left to right—are William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza and John Knox. With the exception of Calvin, Beza was considered the most celebrated theologian among the French Reformed, using the brilliant mind God had given him to spread the gospel throughout Europe.

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MARTYROLOGIST: The Rigor of John Foxe (Ep. 32)

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The term “rigor” comes from a Latin word meaning “stiffness”. Rigor mortis is the stiffening of a body’s muscles and joints a few hours after death. A man who shows rigor is thorough, exhaustive, and accurate. He is not flexible with the facts, soft with the truth, or fast and free with the details. 

This trait serves historians well, who mustn’t be careless with the truth but diligent, not easily bent to another’s opinions. John Foxe stands as church history’s greatest martyrologist, the name for a historian who studies the lives of those who were killed for their faith. Some Christians value Foxe’s Book of Martyrs above all other human books because it details so carefully the lives and deaths of some of Church history’s greatest Christians. 

Foxe was a man of courage and godliness, who showed meticulous attention to detail and, in doing so, provided the greatest record of Christian martyrs ever written. 

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Helping the Poor: Wealth Creation or Wealth Redistribution

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— Tim Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

What a stark contrast between the two G20s: November 2025’s G20 here in Johannesburg prioritised climate change and redistribution of wealth to reduce inequality, which has never worked.  All this is driven by the socialistic, flawed philosophy of globalism.  

2026’s G20 will focus on “economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations” – prioritising wealth creation instead of redistribution.  Which approach will prove more helpful to the poor?  

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The Courage of John Knox (Ep. 31)

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On the Reformation Wall in Switzerland stands the Scottish Reformer John Knox, with the Genevan trio of William Farel, John Calvin, and Theodore Beza to his right.

Though little is known of his early days, Knox became Scotland’s greatest reformer—known for his bravery and fearlessness. As a fiery prophet of Calvinistic doctrine, the implacable Knox fought hard against the errors of his day and was unafraid to stand alone. He once said: “One man with God is always the majority.”

Not one to mince words, Knox once said that the celebration of the Catholic Mass was worse than drinking a cup of poison. Thus, John Calvin called him “God’s firebrand”, pointing to the indominable courage of this great Scottish reformer. 

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How Inerrancy Improves Preaching

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Churches break apart. Marriages shatter. Governments fracture. Friendships splinter. But the Scriptures cannot be broken (Jn. 10:35). This means they cannot fail. They cannot be incorrect. In every affirmation they make, the Scriptures are inerrant (without mistakes) and infallible (incapable of error).

This should not be difficult for Christians to accept, since God hates lying (Pr. 14:5; 19:22; Ps. 63:11; Ac. 5:3; 1 Jn. 2:21) and is himself incapable of lying or deceiving (Pr. 30:6-7; Num. 23:19; Ps. 89:35; Heb. 6:18).

Just as in the Word one sees perfection within the human and divine natures, so within God’s Word one sees flawlessness. Jesus believed in inerrancy, confirming its veracity by quoting the Old Testament and affirming that Scripture could never pass away (Mt. 5:18).

Inerrancy is not an ivory tower doctrine for eggheads, a belief secluded from any real-world relevance. This article of faith wears running shoes, or in this case, a suit and a tie. Here are four ways inerrancy improves preaching. Continue reading →

A Religion of Fear

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— Brino Kumwenda

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

There is pervasive fear among Africans, including professing Christians.  It is fear that is based on the African Traditional Religion and the misinterpretation of Scripture.  This is why modern-day prophets run the lucrative business of inflicting or solidifying fear in people and presenting themselves as men and women of God, who have the power to set the people free from their slavery of fear. 

The people run to them and are more than willing to “sow a seed” and buy their anointed objects like water and oil so that they can be set free. The business is thriving because traditional Africans have these fears and believe that mediums such as witchdoctors can set them free from them. 

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The Discipline of John Bradford (Ep. 30)

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Though heroes should be household names, many of the greatest giants in church history have been forgotten. One example is John Bradford, who is remembered primarily for his martyrdom, though his godly life of spiritual discipline should be equally revered. 

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The Politics of Blame

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— Lennox Kalifungwa

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

There is a sense in which complaint is the resignation and abdication of responsibility. This unqualified assertion will likely prompt the retort that affliction and pestilence are commonplace, and that people should be free to express their discomfort without fear of moral shaming.

Yet this expected retort ought to earn the response that trouble neither nullifies nor exempts a person from responsibility; in fact, it provides an opportunity for duty to be constructively exercised and applied.

To begin an article with such philosophical dialogue may not be ideal in some books, and yet it is necessary to confront the unfortunate spectacle that has been enshrined in the dogma of this modern world.

We live in a world that not only promotes, normalises, and celebrates irresponsibility but has effectively politicised and institutionalised it.

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The Faithfulness of Rowland Taylor (Ep. 29)

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One would think that the Catholic Church triumphed when it burned the Reformers at the stake. Instead, thousands of people who were once enemies of the gospel turned from their errors and became friends of the cross when they saw the bravery of devoted Christians in the flames.

Rowland Taylor, of the 16th century, lives on as one of the famous Marian martyrs—the name given to the Christians that Queen Mary killed during her bloody five-year reign. Taylor wrote no books, not a single sermon of his remains in print and no large headstone marks his grave.

In some ways, his life has been forgotten. And yet, Taylor’s testimony still stands as a monument of faithfulness today when we consider the endless commitment he showed to his calling, his wife, his children, and his Lord. 

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Why Don’t Nigerian Black Lives Matter?

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— Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The organisation known as Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a violent, dangerous, Marxist movement. It is fiction, a sham, and a lie to believe that BLM really cares about black lives. Consider just two examples to support this claim: BLM’s outspoken support of abortion in the US and their deafening silence concerning the murder of black Christians around the world. 

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Should Every Man Bear His Own Burden?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: Everyone should help carry the problems of others, but on the final day of judgment, each believer must answer for himself.

Problem: Paul seems to contradict himself, telling believers to “bear one another’s burdens” in Galatians 6:2, then saying “each will have to bear his own load” (6:5).

Explanation: There is no discrepancy between v. 2 and v. 5 because Paul is urging the Galatians to “bear” different items, in different ways, at different times.

In vs. 2, the apostle commands believers to help their fellow brothers carry their “burdens” (Gr. baros) , which are oppressive weights and heavy loads. These difficulties may include battles with sin, physical ailments, family problems, mental challenges, financial hurdles, or demonic oppression. Is your sister depressed because of chemotherapy? Help her carry the load. Is your brother overwhelmed with lustful temptations? Put your broad shoulders to use. Continue reading →

The Submission of John Calvin (Ep. 28)

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John Calvin, the great French reformer, stands as the most significant leader in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. Unlike Luther, Calvin dreaded quarrelling.

Though he was reluctant to speak about his personal life and avoided public attention, his long tenure as pastor in Geneva teaches us how a supposed “chance” event can change history and how humble submission to wise counsellors can lead believers aright.  

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Gender-Based Violence: A National Disaster?

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— David de Bruyn

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In the run-up to the G20 conference, various lobbyists in South Africa were calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare Gender-Based Violence a “national disaster”. Eventually, this was conceded, and the Department of Social Development posted the announcement on its website

What is meant by this declaration? What difference will it make? And what does it say about the beliefs of a large number of South Africans?

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Does the Blood of Animal Sacrifices Take Away Sin?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament only symbolized the need for Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice, to take away sin.

Problem: Dozens of passages in Leviticus say that animal sacrifices made “atonement” and forgave sin (e.g. Lv. 4:31, 35), while Hebrews 10 says it is “impossible” for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (v. 4).

Explanation: In the Old Testament, a holy God established the sacrificial system to show that He would forgive sinners that had repented in their hearts (Num. 15:27-28). The various blood sacrifices never contained the power to remove or forgive sins but rather pictured the purging of sin as the animals were burnt upon the altar. The death of an animal showed the seriousness of sin. Continue reading →

The Correspondence of Heinrich Bullinger (Ep. 27)

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The first generation of the great Protestant Reformers laid a sturdy foundation upon the Five Solas and helped the Church pull away from the theological abuses of the Roman Catholics. When men like Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli died in the first half of the 16th century, they were followed by the second-generation of Reformers who carried on their work.

With the exception of John Calvin, Heinrich Bullinger may have been the most instrumental of the succeeding generation which sought to exalt Jesus Christ through the faithful preaching of His Word. 

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The Admiration of Philip Melanchthon (Ep. 26)

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The 16th century in church history saw a three-pronged revolt against the heresies of the Roman Catholic Church. In one corner stood the Reformed Reformation, led by John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox. Conrad Grebel, Felix Mantz, Balthasar Hubmaier and the Anabaptists were another branch that rebelled against the papacy.

The final group that rose up against the pope were the Lutherans, led by Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. The powerful personality of Luther overshadowed his friend, but Melanchthon was a giant of the faith in his own right, modeling not only careful theological acumen but the warmth of godly admiration and friendship. 

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The New Archbishop & the African Church – Some Warnings  

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— Lukonde Mwila

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Since Anglicanism is now more African than English, what happens in Canterbury has ripple effects from Cairo to the Cape.  The gravitational “centre of Anglicanism has shifted to the Global South, particularly sub-Saharan Africa”, with over 63 million baptised Anglicans in Africa compared to some 23 million in all of Europe!

Church history contains Anglican heroes of our faith – like J.C. Ryle, J.I. Packer, C.S. Lewis, and William Wilberforce.  However, it is a Church today marked with a growing stain of compromise since its foundation.  Anglicanism was essentially born out of Queen Elizabeth’s desperate attempt to unite a nation that was fragmented by Protestantism and Catholicism. 

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The Risk of John Hooper (Ep.25)

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The most foolish mistake the Catholic Church made during the reign of Bloody Queen Mary was executing John Hooper, one of the boldest champions of the Reformation. Though he was burned at the stake in 1555 after enduring nearly an hour of fire that would not enflame, it was said that Hooper died as quietly as a child in his bed. 

Yet his death was not forgotten, and his cause could not be quieted. By torturing a man for his faith, the church in Rome reached millions with the message of the gospel, where Hooper’s sermons could not. 

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The Focus of William Tyndale (Ep. 24)

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In 1535, William Tyndale, the man that gave us our English Bible, awaited in jail his execution. At root, it was Tyndale’s love for the Scriptures that imprisoned him behind those steely bars. Isolation in a blacked-out dungeon can drive even the strongest of men insane. Yet Tyndale remained perfectly polite and congenial until the very end.  

In his early forties and bursting with talent, Tyndale had become the first man to translate the Bible into English from the original Greek and Hebrew. Now, while rotting prison, he took up his pen to write these words: “My overcoat is worn out, my shirts also. I ask to be allowed to have a lamp in the evening, for it is indeed wearisome sitting alone in the dark.” 

What drove Tyndale to such measures of fortitude was his unswerving focus to deliver the Bible in English. Nothing could sidetrack him from this goal. John Foxe said that Tyndale was “singularly addicted” to knowing the Bible, a trait for which we remember him to this day.

Might Your Phone be the Problem?

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— Richard Peskett

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

There is an old spiritual song called, Give me Jesus. Here is the first verse:


In the morning, when I rise,

In the morning, when I rise,

In the morning, when I rise,

Give me Jesus.

When most Christians wake up in the morning, their mantra is not, “Give me Jesus,” but rather, “Give me my mobile phone.”

Did you know that the average mobile ownership in Africa, according to a recent survey of 34 African countries, is 84%? Telcom operators are targeting Africa with affordable phones to increase their use. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that South Africans spend more time on their screens than any other nation in the world. How much time is this? The report states that the average South African spends 58.2% of their day in front of screens, “with 22.5% of their day dedicated to scrolling social media.” Can this really be true? A recent guest in our home averaged over 10 hours a day on their phone.

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South Africa’s Unemployment Crisis

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— Charles Russell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

According to the recently released quarterly labour force survey, South African unemployment stands at a staggering 33%. Using the expanded definition (i.e., including those who have abandoned their search for employment due to discouragement), the rate is 43%. Nearly 1 in every 2 people looking for a job cannot find one (for the 33% and the 43%).

Not only is this the worst rate in Africa, where the average unemployment is around 9%, but it is also the highest in the world, equal to eSwatini at 34.4% at Dec-24). South Africa is in a crisis.

Before the Christian is tempted to panic, as many of us are, God is still in control – even in this unemployment pandemic.

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The Accommodation of Martin Bucer (Ep. 23)

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The tango is a popular form of ballroom dancing made famous in South America. Both partners must move in perfect unison for the dance to work. The phrase “it takes two to tango” means cooperation is required from both parties for an activity to work. 

In a similar way, Scripture exhorts Christians to labor and strive to accommodate one another. But along the way, we must avoid two mistakes. First, don’t seek peace at all costs. That is, don’t change your biblical convictions just to enjoy a ceasefire. Second, don’t view peace as a one-way street. There are others involved who must agree. Martin Bucer, the great Reformer from Germany, was not perfect in his partnerships with others. Yet, he labored so relentlessly for unity that he serves as an excellent example for the Church.  

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Missionary Minds: Van Zyls in Thailand

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Missionary Minds is a series of ten questions with missionaries around the world.

Nico Van Zyl, his wife Roxanne and their son Nicolas, are serving as missionaries in Thailand with Timothy Two Project International. They focus their evangelism, church planting, and leadership training among the Thai people.

Pray for the strenuous process of language learning, that they would persevere until they can speak fluently and teach in Thai and find joy in the process. Also pray for their spiritual growth, their Timothy Two projects in Thailand, India, and Myanmar and for their new church plant, Sovereign Grace Fellowship, constituted in August 2025 with ten members. 

1. Finish the sentence: Do not become a missionary if…

You think you are going to learn a new language and master it in a year or two. You are in it for the long haul. Think about learning a new language as getting a degree or an advanced degree. If we want to do missions effectively, we need to put in time to learn the heart language of the people. This is by far the most difficult thing to do for me and probably one of the most rewarding, I believe, in the end. 

We need to focus on investing time in the local language so we can make the gospel understandable and make sure the locals understand the gospel is not only for Westerners and that they don’t need to learn English to worship God effectively and truly.

That is also why Protestants believed and believe in translating the Bible into local languages. This has escalated since the Reformation and especially since William Carey went to India in 1792.

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Can a Christian Vote for the DA?

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–– Evan Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

On 13 October 2025, the Democratic Alliance, also known as the DA, participated in the “Joburg Pride” march, celebrating what the DA’s Rainbow Alliance called “the beauty, resilience, and strength of Africa’s LGBTQIA+ community”. 

The largest party in South Africa is the ANC, whose policies and actions have brought South Africa to its knees. The party most known for resisting the ANC in ways that have achieved practical results for the good of South Africa is the DA. The DA stands for the free market and against the ANC’s hyper-racial and socialist policies. 

However, the DA does not oppose abortion, allowing the murder of innocents to continue unabated. It proudly supports homosexual relationships in every form, contributing to the breakdown of the families which form the bedrock of society. Scripture clearly describes these positions (also endorsed by the ANC) as bringing God’s judgment on a nation. The DA government in Cape Town also distinguished itself in the Covid-19 era by stringently enforcing “lockdown” measures. 

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The Versatility of Miles Coverdale (Ep. 22)

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It may surprise the reader that England was one of the last nations in Europe to receive a Bible translation in their own language.

It wasn’t for fame or fortune that Miles Coverdale compiled the Scriptures in English. In the preface to the Coverdale Bible, he wrote: “It was neither my labor nor desire, to have this work put in my hand: nevertheless, it grieved me that other nations should be more plenteously provided for with the Scripture in their mother tongue, than we.”

Coverdale translated and compiled the Bible into English during a time when participating in such a project would get you killed. And yet he was willing to work on a host of translation projects in a plethora of challenging settings, such that God used this selfless attitude to produce the first complete English Bible ever printed.

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The Danger of Date-setters

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Recently, a man from South Africa named Joshua Mhlakela predicted that the rapture of the church would occur between September 23-24 of this year. He made this claim after supposedly receiving a vision about Christ’s return. In his TV interview, which has since received hundreds of thousands of views, Mhlakela claimed to be a “billion per cent sure” the Lord would return on those dates, though the dates continue to change. South African singer-turned preacher Danie Botha made a similar false claim about the Lord’s return.

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The Evil Extortion Epidemic

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–– Joe Shoko

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In most African countries, when citizens see the police, they turn the other way or pass them begrudgingly. Instead of feeling safe and secure around their supposed protection unit, people would rather risk driving into the drainage ditches, fleeing from their assailers. This is the reality that every Zimbabwean, believer or non-believer, must live with: the fact that they are likely to be arrested, extorted, and harassed on trumped-up charges.

It is no secret that Zimbabwe is one of the most corrupt countries in Africa. The logic follows that a country with leaders who selectively apply the law is policed by lawless men and women. In 2017, for example, the head of police was arrested for failing to prove how he acquired his seven-million-dollar mansion and other properties, despite being a mere civil servant. 

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The Resilience of Hugh Latimer (Ep. 21)

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The godly virtue of resiliency begins small and grows with time. Boys with just a little strength now may become men of great fortitude tomorrow. Large oaks begin by seed. Floods start with drops. A frog was once a tadpole. A lion was once a cub. 

Cowards fear man, not God. They fear offending. They fear the consequences of exposing others’ sins. They worry the truth may bring them unemployment, poverty, imprisonment or even death. Proverbs 29:25 says: “The fear of man lays a snare.” Cowards are trapped. They can’t move. They say, “What will others think?” 

Cowards are the sail on a boat. Popular opinion is the wind. They go where the world tells them. Courageous men, on the other hand, do what is right. They are resilient regardless the outcome. When cowards bow, heroes stand. When cowards whisper, heroes proclaim. When cowards run, heroes stand firm. They do not quit. They persevere amidst trials. Why

In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul teaches that despite his afflictions and difficulties, these weaknesses do not disable him. He gives four word pictures to show that his infirmities give him more strength. He’s “afflicted” but “not crushed”; he is “perplexed” but not “driven to despair”; he is “persecuted but not forsaken”; he is “struck down but not destroyed.” The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that will help us survive our trials (v. 7). God makes us weak so he gets all the credit amidst our resiliency, as shall be seen in the life of Hugh Latimer.

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Can We Unite With Catholics & Mormons? Gospel Purity & Civic Duty

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–– Tim Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In preparation for November’s G20 Summit to be hosted in South Africa, an Interfaith Forum was recently held in Cape Town to unite religious leaders to “strengthen peace-making efforts” in global conflicts.  The All Africa Council of Churches accounts for some “200 million Christians” across the continent.  In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder and a conservative resurgence in the USA, there are new calls for reconciling Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, and others (especially when both the 2nd and 3rd in command are devout Catholics—Vance & Rubio).  Meanwhile, others are calling for believers to come out and be separate from any political alliances with unbelievers.

How do we resist the temptation of ecumenism yet remain engaged in society? We’ll look at legitimate and illegitimate cooperation with unbelievers, all hinging upon the purpose for which we are uniting.

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