BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
245th Edition – June 1, 2025
VISIT OF THE KING AND QUEEN
The big news last week was the brief visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Ottawa. They came in on a Canadian government plane on Monday and left on the same plane on Tuesday. The purpose of the visit was to read the twenty-five-minute Throne Speech to mark the beginning of the current parliament.
While it was nice for the King to take time out of a busy schedule, and considering his health issues, one wonders at the cost of all the pomp and circumstance involved.
Charles is a constitutional monarch. As such he performs representative and civic roles but does not exercise executive or policymaking power. According to polls, about 60% of Canadians agree that Canada’s relationship with the monarchy is useful as it helps to differentiate Canada from the United States. Hence the hastily arranged royal visit.
The Bible has two books named Kings which list details of the forty kings of Israel and Judah. Unlike constitutional monarchs, these were kings with absolute power over the two countries. The Christian’s duty is to pray “For kings, and all that are in authority” [I Timothy 2:2]. The reason? “That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE IN POLITICS?
There is considerable diversity of opinion about this question. Some earnest believers say that because we are citizens of heaven we ought not be involved with earthly politics. Others say it is acceptable to stand for office in their area.
It is obvious that not all Christians are open for political office and the majority have neither the desire for nor are they qualified for the cut and thrust of political debate.
The answer to the question lies somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. God’s Word says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice:but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn”. [Proverbs 29:2].
Who are the “righteous” here if they are not God’s people? So, we draw the conclusion that if an individual Christian, after much prayer, feels led of the Lord to better his community by being in government, let him pursue that calling. That way he will be there to ensure that the laws of his country, province or municipality will be agreeable to the law of God.
The Christian should have a godly impact on all society, politics included. Daniel, the prophet, was carried to Babylon during the Judean exile in Nebuchadnezzar’s day. He distinguished himself by being faithful to God throughout his long life. He was engaged in the politics of Babylon under three kings and succeeded “because an excellent spirit was in him” [Daniel. 6:3]. He is a good role model for Christian politicians.
INTERNET OUTREACH
At the annual general meeting of the Toronto church held on May 28, the pastor, Dr. Larry Saunders, introduced the various departmental reports for the church and school. Happily, they were all positive in nature which spoke of their healthy state.
One very interesting report was of the church’s internet outreach which was brought by Elder, Jonathan McAnally. He reported that last year on SermonAudio there were over 76,000 downloads from 101 countries which means reaching that number with the Gospel. The countries reached included China, Germany, Ireland, Singapore and the United Kingdom as well as Canada and the United States and others.
We rejoice in the ministry of SermonAudio which has now sent out 2.5 million sermons all over the world. Its founder, Steven Lee, grew up in the Toronto church, where he came to know the Lord before his family moved to Greenville.
We are reminded of the Lord’s preface to His second coming. “This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” [Matthew 24:14].
Surely, that day is fast approaching with the work of SermonAudio and other like-minded internet platforms. We are happy to be a very small link in that great chain of events to come.
