BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
236th Edition – March 30, 2025
THE AIR WE BREATHE
Some of our bodily functions are so familiar to us that we seldom think about them yet if we did, they would show us more of the wonder of God’s creation. One of these is the air we breathe.
Eight billion people on this earth automatically breathe in and out all the time. Just think of the amount of air that has to be provided to meet humanity’s need, not to mention the animal kingdom which breathes the same air.
But we tend to neglect thinking of these things as did the Babylonian king, Belshazzar. “The God in whose hands thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, thou hast not glorified” [Daniel 5:23].
The air we breathe is a marvel of God’s creative ability. The bulk of it is made up of two gases, nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) with trace elements of argon and carbon dioxide. The origin of nitrogen is mostly from space while oxygen comes mainly from plant life on earth.
These gases need to be mixed in exactly the correct proportions in order for us to breathe and, coming from different origins, this is far from simple. The question is who, or what, governs the composition of breathable air? The evolutionist has no real answer for this, but the Christian believes in the all-wise work of God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
He alone is the Founder of life, and He alone is the Sustainer of our life on earth.
SOLA SCRIPTURA
A Latin phrase meaning “Scripture alone” that expresses the Reformation doctrine that the Bible is the sole and sufficient authority by which all matters of faith and practice may be settled.
The corollary of this proposition is that nothing but what is established by the clear authority of Scripture can bind the conscience of a Christian. Luther expressed the Sola Scriptura in his immortal statement before the Diet of Worms when he said that his conscience was captive to God’s word.
Councils could err and had erred. Popes could err and had erred. Only Scripture could not err and therefore it alone could be finally authoritative. In contrast to this, the Roman Catholic church adds tradition and the church’s magisterium to Scripture in its definition of authoritative divine revelation.
In proposing Sola Scriptura, the Reformers were reflecting the plain teaching of the Bible itself. Christ and His disciples consistently appealed to the written Word in confirmation of
THE WAYS OF GOD
Like the eagle in the air,
Like the fox deep in his lair,
It is hard to understand the ways of God.
But I know that He is wise,
That I’m precious in His eyes,
So, I’ll trust Him ‘neath the chastening rod.
When I’m in the valley deep,
When at night I cannot sleep
And it seems there’s none to help in my need.
I will turn to God’s own book,
On His promise I will look;
To the quiet waters He will gently lead.
When I’m suffering again,
On the lonely bed of pain,
From a malady of body or of mind,
I’ll remember how He bled
As He hung there in my stead,
And I’ll praise Him for I Know He is kind.
When. I stop to count the cost,
When it seems that all is lost,
And the way ahead is dark, cold and drear.
Then I’ll bow my head in prayer,
For I know, that He is there.
I can feel Him; I can feel the Saviour near.
[Rev. James McClelland].
THE SOUL WINNER’S CREED
If each saved one, won one,
And each one won, won one,
What hosts would be won,
When everyone won had won one.
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” Proverbs 11:30
