Darren Roorda

Thanks for the comments, Keith. As a matter of fact, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) was an equal partner and encourager to this "fluff." You see, in a cultural setting like Canada where "religion" in and of itself is often minimized, forgotten, or deliberately ignored, the concept of fighting for space to validate religion in any form is important. Augustine says that humans [all humans] have restless hearts until they find rest in God (Confessions, Book 1). I believe it. That some people chose to find a pseudo-religous answer in other faiths motivates me to speak to the truth in Christ, but at the same time to fight for a legitimate opportunity for the freedom of religion in our country, Canada. To do otherwise, would be to shoot our own religious construct - Protestantism - in the foot. That is why Bruce Clemenger (President of the EFC) thanked all of us in a video meeting yesterday as Evangelical leaders for signing the document. You can find a mirror copy of their release of the same statement here https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Communications/Official-statements/March-2020/Religious-leaders-publish-joint-response-to-COVID.

Eric, I would encourage you to read the reply I wrote to Keith, above. As well, I would note in the chain of Christian thinking throughout history that Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin and 21st century reformed thinkers such as RC Sproul and others affirm that "all truth is God's truth." 

In Calvin's commentary on Titus 1:12, for example, Calvin states: “All truth is from God; and consequently, if wicked men have said anything that is true and just, we ought not to reject it; for it has come from God.” He expands on this idea in his Institutes of the Christian Religion:

Therefore, in reading profane authors, the admirable light of truth displayed in them should remind us, that the human mind, however much fallen and perverted from its original integrity, is still adorned and invested with admirable gifts from its Creator. If we reflect that the Spirit of God is the only fountain of truth, we will be careful, as we would avoid offering insult to him, not to reject or condemn truth wherever it appears (II.2.15)

But where that leaves us as Protestant leaders when a statement like this comes out is a posture of being careful that we do not affirm that which is clearly not true. I suspect that is why some may read this kind of a statement as "fluff" like Keith Knight uses. But, really that is the church being careful and not over-speaking.

In terms of process, that means that we as Evangelical leaders were given at least a week to preview and suggest edits to this statement so as to ensure we remained faithful to our fundamental Christian beliefs yet affirm that which is commonly true.

I hope this helps.

Brian, you don't know this, but it was I who asked for scripture to be, at minimum, referenced in this work because I so desire its inclusion. But it was not meant to be for the sake of a shared religious purpose. You know, the people Christ calls me to love even when they are a long way off from the truth - sort of like Paul "becoming all things to all people so as to win a few." You know the passage, I am sure.

As for my testimony - that is not the point of this communique. Nonetheless, know that my testimony to Christ as the only source of salvation and hope for anyone's life is crystal clear but again, is not the point of this paper.

I will take my time answering further considerations when they are laid out clearly, articulately and with thoughtfulness about a culture you understand.

Thanks for your communicaiton.

What more info would you need? I'll be happy to give it to you as such a wise man, Ken. Good to hear from you. I hope things are well post BCRC. Blessings,

Darren