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Author: Mark Penninga

12 Apr 2021 Live Not By Fear: A Call To Exude Hope Amidst a COVID-Infatuated World

Posted at 14:32h in Blog, Public Theology 1 Comment
8 Likes

  This blog post was originally published in a print edition of Christian Renewal and is reposted here.   There are times when I see massive challenges on the horizon and can’t help but worry. Like the spies who scouted out Canaan and reported back to the Israelites, I can feel as small as a grasshopper compared to what I’m facing (Numbers 13:33). I’m not alone. Throughout this country, I see Christians who made it through the past year with more gray hair and lines of worry on their faces. Many are recognizing what...

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10 Dec 2020 God’s Commission to the Civil Government and the Church (FT Pt. 1)

Posted at 15:28h in Blog, Fundamental Freedoms, Public Theology 1 Comment
3 Likes

Part #1 of 4 in an adaptation of the ARPA Canada Fall Tour 2020, Defending our Christian Legacy of Liberty. Part #2; Part #3; Part #4 Freedoms are often tested in the crucible of national turmoil: war and terrorism, plague and natural disaster. During the COVID crisis of 2020, we have seen unprecedented limits on our fundamental freedoms: freedom of religion and conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association. So, it was fitting that we could address these issues during Fall Tour 2020 – Defending Our Christian Legacy of...

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25 Jun 2020 Ruth the Can Collector: The Case for Restoring Old Testament Gleaning Principles

Posted at 09:58h in Blog, Economics, Environment 1 Comment
0 Likes

If Ruth the Moabite lived today, she would probably have resorted to collecting empties from recycling bins and on the sides of roads to feed herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Few Bible stories warm my heart like that of Ruth. When Ruth moved to Israel from Moab with her mother-in-law Naomi, she was vulnerable on a number of levels: widowed, without children, a foreigner, and the caregiver of her mother-in-law, who was also widowed.If Ruth the Moabite lived today, she would probably have resorted to collecting empties from recycling bins and...

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31 Dec 2019 A year-end message from ARPA’s Executive Director

Posted at 10:54h in Blog, Organizational News 0 Comments
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As this year and decade comes to a close are you feeling somewhat fearful about the state of our nation and the world? If you have been following our work you will have good reason to be troubled by recent developments. A Quebec court undermined already weak protections for human life by striking down a limit on assisted suicide. In response, Canada’s federal government promised to broaden Canada’s euthanasia law in the new year. We saw a pastor arrested in Toronto for publicly bringing the message of God’s grace to sinners....

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07 May 2019 First-Ever BC God and Government Conference a Success

Posted at 14:54h in Action Story, Blog, Events 0 Comments
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“It is a rather audacious title for a conference – God & Government,” remarked Rev. Rob Schouten as he opened the inaugural BC God & Government.  Although the title did apparently cause some consternation for the BC Humanist Association, the approximately 55 attendees who took part in this event were edified by quality training that, when translated into action, will be a blessing to our governments and the broader public (including those who think they are better off when God and government do not mix in any way). Not only was...

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08 Apr 2019 You are invited to the Anti-Revolutionary Party!

Posted at 10:38h in Blog, Politics 0 Comments
0 Likes

“Lasting recovery is only possible when there is a blessing on the preaching of the Word. It can expose any worldly wisdom.” If you came to one of ARPA Canada’s fall tour presentations last year, you may remember hearing this quote that I attributed to Groen Van Prinsterer. Although he lived way back in 1801-1876 and was active in a different (Dutch) political context, his writings speak powerfully to our 21st century Western world. Groen’s clear-headed call for faithful Christian political engagement is more than relevant. It is much-needed correction for...

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05 Mar 2019 Even in a world with chemical abortion, Canada still needs an abortion law

Posted at 11:21h in Abortion, Blog 1 Comment
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In “Why abortion pills have changed the future of pro-life activism in Canada” Marie-Claire Bissonnette challenges the pro-life movement to take stock of changes in how abortions are being done. I heartily thank Marie-Claire for asking hard questions about current pro-life strategies. We all benefit from respectful and honest analysis, and the lives of the pre-born depend on our effectiveness. Chemical abortions (via abortion drugs) are making abortion seem much less messy and unpalatable, Marie-Claire says. So, she argues, prolife strategies that rely on graphic images of aborted children are increasingly...

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19 Feb 2019 Why ARPA Canada is honoured to assist with organizing a March for Life in Toronto

Posted at 15:34h in Abortion, Blog, Events 0 Comments
0 Likes

From ARPA Canada’s first day in 2007, our strategy has been to devote as much time and energy as possible to working proactively in achieving what is possible. We are an association for ACTION. And, by God’s grace alone, these past 12 years have shown us that far more is possible than we even imagined. From our first day, we have tried our best to work alongside others who share our convictions, and that remains a priority moving forward. Our mission is not to build up our organization, but to advance...

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08 Jan 2019 ARPA Canada – Plans for 2019

Posted at 16:23h in Blog, Organizational News 0 Comments
0 Likes

In our weekly staff call this Monday morning, I read from 1 Corinthians 3:11-13: “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” As we look into a new year with hopes, plans, and maybe also some anxiety or fear, we do well to...

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