Department: Author: Linda L HanstraAs I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect t
Department: Author: Shiao Chong제가 이 글을 쓰는 현재 (10월), 배너는 모금 목표액인 $450,000을 향해 가는 가운데 이미 3년 연속으로 $400,000을 달성했습니다. 여러분 모두의 후한 기부에 감사드립니다. 우리가 더 많은 금액을 모금할 수록, 사역분담금에서 덜 의지할 수 있습니다. 여러분의 강력한 지지는 왜 우리 교단이 우리의 다양한 관점을 드러내는 공동의 포럼이 필요한지에 대해서 여러분이 잘 이해하고 계심을 보여준다고 믿습니다.그러나 공정한 포럼을 조성한다는 것은 우리가 가끔 사람들에게 인기
Department: Author: Shiao ChongAl momento de escribir este artículo (octubre), nuestros esfuerzos de recaudación de fondos para alcanzar nuestra meta de $450,000 han superado la marca de los $400,000 por tercer año consecutivo. Gracias a todos por su generosidad. Cuanto más dinero recaudamos, menos
Department: Author: Cornelius Plantinga Jr.Years ago, the 7-year-old son of our Roman Catholic neighbors found out Santa Claus was a myth. He was shaken. He confronted his parents: “Is there anybody else we believe in who isn’t real?”Periodically, unbelievers will claim that belief in God is like b
Department: Author: Liz BrownThink for a minute: do you know someone who comes from another country? Maybe you have family living in a different country. If you know someone like that, ask them how they celebrate Christmas! Not everyone celebrates Christmas the same way we do here in Canada or the
Department: Author: Religion News ServiceAs I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily ref
Department: Author: Rev. Art Schoonveld Several years ago, while on a visit to my hometown in the Netherlands, my former principal told me how he remembered seeing my mother on more than one occasion walk across town to bring food and clothing to a poor family. Out of her own poverty she reached o
Department: Author: Dean R. HeetderksI’ve heard the term deepfake applied to video. I would think just fake would be bad enough. Why deep fake? And why should I care?Deepfakes are artificial videos created—often with the help of artificial intelligence—by combining separate elements of audio and vi
Department: Author: Corey Van HuizenI think human beings have always been interested in being able to predict the future. Whether it’s through crystal balls, reading palms or cards, or simply cracking a tasteless cookie in search of a good fortune, people have always looked for ways to reassure the
Department: Author: Mary Li MaRecently I watched a six-part documentary, “Living Undocumented,” on Netflix. Life stories of eight families who are affected by the threat of deportation under the current immigration climate were woven into a touching, yet agonizing presentation. The complicated soci
Department: Author: Rod HugenI’d been asked to pursue a position that would take me away from the church I had helped start and decided it was only right to submit the decision to the leadership of our church. We gathered together and spent an extended period of time in prayer seeking God’s will. A
Department: Author: In the wake of horrific revelations of sexual abuse in society and in the church, we stand in solidarity with those whose lives have been forever harmed by abuse. At the same time, churches are wrestling with how to be Christ-like to those who have abused others. As part of that
Department: Author: Shiao ChongAs of the time of writing (October), our fundraising efforts toward our $450,000 goal have broken the $400,000 mark for the third year in a row. Thank you all for your generosity. The more money we raise, the less we need to draw from ministry shares. Your strong supp
Department: Author: Emily Joy StrobleMy Thanksgiving traditions include cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, and the question, “So Emily, anybody special in your life?” As a single young adult, I sometimes wonder if my most significant contribution to holiday meals is not sweet-potato casserole
Department: Author: Douglas J. SchuurmanCan you have a calling if you don’t believe in a divine Caller?Many of my students ask whether you can have a calling if you do not believe in God. Can there be a calling without a Caller? As more and more secularized students come to the college where I teac
Department: Author: Henry De MoorOur council meets only six times a year and basically just rubber-stamps everything presented to it by the Executive Committee of four: two elders and two deacons. The consistory and diaconate meet once a month but just follow the lead of these four, thus basically
Department: Author: Extra BlessingsI want to thank you very much for the articles in the September Banner about the body of believers helping parents who have higher education costs due to the abilities of their children (“Extra Costs Bring Extra Blessing,” Sept. 2019). As we promise parents at bap
Department: Author: Rolf BoumaMy parents have set up bequests to each of their grandchildren in their will. Some grandchildren are very responsible and will use the money wisely, but we’re afraid others will just spend it on wasteful things. Is it smart to give money outright like this to young peo
Department: Author: Melissa KuipersAs I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect t
Department: Author: Shiao Chong"No sabes lo que no sabes." Escuché esta frase recientemente y me llamó la atención. Como alguien siempre tentado por el orgullo intelectual, veo como el Espíritu Santo me recuerda a menudo las limitaciones de mi mente. Es cierto, no sé lo que no sé, y eso debería pro