I just spent 20 minutes on social media. It reminded me why I've spent hardly any time on social media the last couple of weeks. Keeping fighting the good fight, people. Nonviolently, of course.

Red flag: when someone talks about beliefs "essential" to Christianity or "the heart of the gospel" which are not found in any New Testament confessions or gospel summaries, or early Christian rules of faith or creeds.

This is just...sad. It's tragic. Genesis 1-2 isn't about the how and when of creation, but the who and the why—like all ancient origins myths. And many Christians have been fine with evolution since Darwin first proposed it. I suspect that Ken Ham has created more atheists than he has Christians.

I play violin in this terrific community orchestra. We've got a concert coming up Sunday, and it's gonna be good. If you're in Winnipeg or area, come on out!

Our puppy, after she has been ambushed yet again by our cat.

If you're a Canadian trying to understand Trump 2.0 and how it affects Canada, here's a helpful article. (Probably also helpful if you're an American just trying to make sense of what's going on...) www.readtheline.ca/p/alex-muir-...

I'm adding this to my pile of evidence to support the idea that there are two basic visions for humanity and human societies out there: 1. A segregationist vision. 2. An integrationist or pluralist vision. I know which one the New Testament points toward (it's not the first).

Hearing both sides equally isn't balance if the weight of evidence heavily favours one side. Hearing both sides equally isn't balance if the weight of power heavily favours one side. Truths the media needs to learn. Truths I am still learning myself.

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed" (John 20:29). If you're a believer today, that's you. That's me. Specifically blessed by Jesus.

Blue Jays!

Maybe this is an extreme. But it nicely illustrates a reality I've been noting for over a decade: Christianity is polarizing into two broad camps, each with a different Jesus, a different Spirit, a different gospel (2Cor11:4). Both claim biblical support, but they read their Bibles very differently.

"Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you'" (John 20:19). The resurrected Jesus' first words to his gathered disciples: "Peace be with you." Words so important he repeats them (John 20:21). May God's peace be with you—peace within you, peace among you, peace around you.

I had a terrific time this morning worshiping with Whitewater Mennonite Church in Boissevain! A wonderful Jesus-centred community in a great town.

"When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself" (John 6:15). Jesus still does this, every time we try to make a "Christian nation." #NoKings

"They are defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus" (Acts 17:7). For Anabaptists, there are #NoKings but Jesus. And he's a king unlike any other. He gives himself for the world, and he gives his kingdom to the poor and the poor in spirit.

With anti-DEI rhetoric once again making its way from Trumpland to Canada, and especially the lie that "DEI" means "hiring unqualified people," it's time to tap the sign. ⬇️

"When Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him" (Luke 24:30-31). This is one way Jesus still reveals himself to us: in the breaking of bread, gathered together around the table.

"Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing'" (Luke 23:34). Of all the hard sayings of Jesus, this might be the hardest. Forgiving one's crucifiers. While hanging on the very cross they just crucified you on. Lord, have mercy.

You know, even if the Flames finish 1-81, it's still mission accomplished: beating the Oilers in Edmonton in the opening game of the season. #LifeAsAFlamesFan

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for many things, and one of them is living in Canada. Despite its flaws, which are real and at times seem overwhelming, Canada consistently ranks among the top countries in the world in terms of safety, political and economic stability, overall wellbeing, and more.

Growing up, I always wondered how people in Germany in the 1930s could allow fascism to take hold. In particular, as a Christian, I couldn't understand how *Christians* could allow that to happen. Now, watching the rise of fascism next door, I have at least a partial answer. ➡️

Jesus: "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over" (John 18:36). The kingdoms of this world are founded on violence—political violence, state violence, economic violence. God's kingdom is not.

"Lord, should we strike with the sword?" we ask. Jesus rebukes us: "No more of this!" (Luke 22:49-51). "The Lord, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier" (Tertullian, 160-220 CE).

I've been sick the last three days, mostly oblivious to the world. Coming out of the fog, I'm more determined than ever to present a vision of Jesus that is faithful to Christian scripture and thus runs counter to prevailing Christian nationalism. We white Christians in North America need Jesus.

I'm grateful for a ceasefire in Gaza, and praying that it moves toward a lasting peace. More than that, that it moves toward a just peace for Palestine.

Poor Aaron is getting schooled on Canadian humour...

And people wonder why Canadians don't want to come to the US anymore...

October 7. Two years ago, Hamas militants killed nearly 1200 people in Israel, kidnapping 250. Since then, in response, Israel has killed 65,000 people in Gaza, nearly half women and children, displacing almost the entire population of 2.2 million. Remembering. Grieving. Praying. Trying to hope.

There are Christians who hold orthodox beliefs, engage in regular worship, and look to the Bible to shape their faith and life. And there are Christians who strive to follow Jesus, empowered by the Spirit and compelled by God's love. Often these are the same people. But not always.

Christian nationalism bases many of its theological and ethical ideals on the Torah, not the Gospels. But even there they get it wrong. The Torah points toward a society in which the poor are cared for and immigrants are treated as neighbours.

Jesus was "very sad and troubled" (Luke 22:44). "Very sad and troubled" = "in agony, deeply anxious." Yes, Jesus experienced deep sorrow, even deep anxiety. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses..." (Heb 4:15).

Congratulations to Sarah Mullally on being named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader for the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. May she have much wisdom and grace as she leads this diverse body of Christ.

Horrified by the attack on a synagogue in Manchester, on Yom Kippur of all days. Antisemitism, and antisemitic hate crimes, have been rising around the world. May we stand together against bigotry in all its forms, and the violence that follows in its wake.

"Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another," Jesus said. "This is how people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). Not "have correct theology." Not "separate from sinful people." Not "stand firm for biblical values." Love one another.

Jane Goodall has died. I was fascinated by her work with chimpanzees as a kid (who wasn't?), reading about her in National Geographic. Later, it was her work, as much as that of any theologian, that prompted me to de-centre humanity in my theology (an ongoing task). Thank you, Dr. Goodall.

Many people know about Godwin's Law, which points out how glibly people describe their opponents as "Hitler" or "Nazis." What many people aren't aware of is that Godwin himself has said, "Yep, Trump is acting like Hitler."

This is a bald-faced lie. According to 2024 stats from Statistics Canada, just over 85% of reported hate crimes were against Jews (68%) and Muslims (17%).

So, that meeting today with all the generals? That was weird.

Every Child Matters.

Canadian Christian here. As a Mennonite, I don't think much of national borders and national identities. But I have no interest in traveling to the US. Why? My top five reasons: 5) growing fascism 4) growing fascism 3) growing fascism 2) growing fascism and, most importantly: 1) growing fascism

If the fascist shoe fits... (Written in 2003.) ratical.org/ratville/CAH...

#WarRavagedPortland Check it out. The destruction is almost total, the devastation almost complete.

I'm looking forward to joining Covenant Mennonite Church in Winkler tomorrow for worship! They're doing a worship and preaching series on the kingdom of God, and tomorrow we'll be exploring the signs of the kingdom. What is it that shows the reign of God is truly among us?

"Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). When we share in the Lord's Supper, we are remembering Jesus—recalling his life, his teachings, his death, his resurrection, recommitting ourselves to following his way of self-giving love.

Popular evangelical understandings of the gospel tend to focus almost exclusively on Jesus' death, even a specific interpretation of his death. They also tend to focus on avoiding hell and going to heaven. But this is not how the New Testament describes the gospel: michaelpahl.com/2025/09/25/w...

"And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to Jesus in the temple" (Luke 21:38). Followers of Jesus, how often do we make listening to Jesus one of the first things we do each day? (Confession: for me, not often enough...)

Feeding the hungry. Satisfying the thirsty. Clothing the naked. Caring for the sick. Welcoming the stranger. Visiting the prisoner. These are the basis for Jesus' judgment of "the nations," the peoples of the earth (Matt 25:31-46). How well have we done these things collectively?

Even greater than the anxiety is the grief. So much grieving, daily grieving the sufferings of the world. And yet I know that even as I grieve, God's Spirit grieves with me, in sighs far deeper than words. #KyrieEleison #MaranaTha

🇨🇦 this is your biennial call for the Rapture—happening tomorrow!* Don't miss out! Sign up today!** (Though if you do miss out, there will be another Rapture happening in two years or less. Watch for it!) * 12pm Eastern, give or take. Half past in Newfoundland. ** Offer not available in Quebec.

I see many evangelicals highlighting Erika Kirk's forgiveness of her husband's killer. A beautiful, Christlike moment. I don't see many expressing alarm at the blatant Christian nationalism, the violence-inciting rhetoric, the "I hate my opponents." I know some of you are appalled—please speak up!