A Historical Response of Reformed-Evangelicals to Plagues

It has now been close to twelve months since COVID-19 was officially declared to be a worldwide pandemic. During this time, we have seen—amongst many other things—international air travel come to a halt, the cruise line industry virtually destroyed, and church services in every country have either ceased meeting in person, or been greatly interrupted. What can we learn from those who have gone before us in this regard?[1] One of the most helpful resources I have recently discovered on the topic at hand is that by Theodore Beza—John Calvin’s successor in Geneva (1519-1605)—whose short, A Learned Treatise of the...

Mark Powell

Thank God and Roll Up Your Sleeve

Neil Chambers

Christmas in The Valley of Vision

Tom Habib

COVID-19 and the Persecuted Church

Honoria Brennan

5 Principles for Thinking Through a Return to Church

Stephanie Jane Judd

Singing and Not-Singing in COVID Season

Rob Smith

Of all the restrictions necessitated by the COVID pandemic, one of the most frustrating, at least for most Christians, is not being able to sing together—either because we’re unable to meet together or because it’s not deemed safe for us to do so even if we are able to be together. Of course, not being able to sing together hasn’t killed us, and it won’t. But it has deprived and diminished us and, understandably, is deeply painful to many. Not being able to sing together has deprived and diminished us So, like the writer of Psalms 42-43, we are right...

Singing and Not-Singing in COVID Season

Rob Smith

Churches, Give People a Message of Hope

Murray Campbell

Tom Holland is the Spiderman of historians. His latest conversation with Glen Scrivener is well worth the listen for it includes more than a few intriguing thoughts in the web of ideas. I really appreciate his thoughtfulness and honesty. It was this reflection by Holland that especially struck a chord with me. He said, “I felt that over the course of this year the churches have been a letdown. I think that the experience of pandemic, it sets you to asking why is this happening … it raises profound issues of theodicy.” He mentions one moment that stood out to him,...

Churches, Give People a Message of Hope

Murray Campbell

Bitter Hearts and Sweet Water

Sam Oldland

The local church I love and serve has been meeting online for 30 weeks. 30 Sundays preaching to a camera. 30 weeks of uncertain concern over the spiritual health of church members. 30 weeks of unfolding grief over many plans and hopes we carried into this year. 30 weeks in, and I find a new (for me) sinful attitude grasping for a foothold in my heart. Bitterness threatens to eclipse thankfulness, cloud my hopes for the future and shorten my temper. But thanks be to God! Because of his gospel I can deny bitterness any foothold, running instead to the...

Bitter Hearts and Sweet Water

Sam Oldland

Innovative Evangelism: Bringing the Gospel to TikTok

Taryn Hayes

In March 2020, at the onset of the COVID crisis, I wrote a TGC-AU article imploring us all to think outside of the box as we sought to find new ways of doing church and ministry at home, with our families, and from our computers. The article closed with these words: The opportunities for gospel work, care for those in need, and personal spiritual growth are boundless. Every one of us, whether single, married, young or old, employed or not, stands at a threshold of gospel opportunity. Let’s share our ideas and spur one another on toward love and good...