From the Frontline

From The Frontline-Episode 116-Biblical Economics and the Christian Work Ethic

Biblical Economics and the Christian Work Ethic

During this time of economic shutdown, recession and depression, it is important for us to remember the Law of God. The Bible has much to say about economics. Most of our Lord's parables dealt with economic situations. What does the Bible teach about economics? What does the Bible teach about work? What Biblical principles should guide government? What does the Bible say about taxation? What are the legitimate roles of government? What may a government tax? What constitutes legitimate currency? What Biblical principles should guide a business? What Biblical principles should guide a family? How can we rebuild our economy after 40 days of economic stagnation and strangulation? What hope is there for the future?

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked. He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

Proverbs 10:2-4

From The Frontline-Episode 115-Disagreement, Dissent and Discernment

Disagreement, Dissent and Discernment

It is a mark of a healthy society when freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of conscience are respected and protected. One does not have to agree with someone, but one should respect the rights of others to have alternative convictions, without any fear of condemnation. Dissent can be healthy. Discernment is always necessary. Christian love does not demand conformity. It is a fruit of the Protestant Reformation to respect freedom of conscience. When Professor  Martin Luther made his bold stand before the Emperor, declaring: "my conscience is captive to the Word of God…”, he championed the principles of freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, freedom of worship and all the other freedoms which have become the foundation of Christian civilisation. Yet, today, there is a disturbing tendency to demonise dissent. Political correctness and charges of "hate speech" are threatening freedom of speech and freedom of conscience. Historically, Magna Carta and bills of rights have protected the rights of the individual to disagree with the majority. Today, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult and even dangerous to go against the tyranny of the majority. How should we, as Christians, respond? What can we practically do to restore discernment and respect for dissent and disagreement? 

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage… For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." 

Galatians 5:1,13

From the Frontline-Episode 114-God's Law or Chaos

GOD'S LAW or CHAOS

Yesterday, trucks loaded with food parcels for vulnerable communities were stoned and robbed in Cape Town’s Bonteheuwel. Lockdown has seen looting from shops and liquor stores, theft by police, vandalising and stealing from churches and trucks transporting food targeted. Yet while police have fined, beaten and arrested people for innocent activities like walking or exercising in their own neighbourhoods, many police stood idly by while food trucks were looted. What is the solution to this chaos ? 

"Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts … let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream!" 

Amos 5:15, 24

From the Frontline-Episode 113-Understanding and Redeeming the Times

Understanding and Redeeming the Times

We will be discussing the momentous and world shaking events which Christians need to understand and respond to, in a Biblical and balanced way. What lessons should we learn from these dramatic developments? How serious is the coronavirus? How can we avoid contracting the disease? How can we prevent it spreading? How accurate have the mass media reports and predictions been? How trustworthy are the political authorities who are enforcing the Lockdowns and shutdowns of so much of the economy, daily life and Church activities? How effective have measures been worldwide? Are the measures taken consistent? Are the measures always necessary? What are the implications for individuals? Congregations? Communities? Countries? Economies? What are the implications for liberty? And for the Kingdom of God worldwide? What can we practically do to redeem the time?

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:15-16

From the Frontline-Episode 112-Passover, the Passion and Pandemic Panic

Passover, the Passion and Pandemic Panic

We will be discussing how to celebrate Holy Week while in Lockdown. The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His Great Commission must be our supreme ambition.

This Friday, 10 April, marks the solemn memorial of the worst crime in the history of mankind and the most important sacrifice ever made.

This Sunday, 12 April, marks the joyful celebration of the greatest victory over sin, death, hell, satan and the grave by the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. It is vital, despite every restriction, to celebrate and boldly proclaim the life transforming Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by every available means.

We serve a risen Saviour! Death is defeated. Christ has risen! Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Christ, though he may die, yet shall he live (John 11:25).

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

1 Peter 1:3

From the Frontline-Episode 111-Lockdown and Liberty at Risk

Lockdown and Liberty at Risk

Join us as we explore the serious repercussions from the lockdown which now affects over 3 billion people worldwide. What ever happened to Bill of Rights? Whatever happened to Freedom of Movement? Freedom of conscience? Freedom of religion? Freedom of worship? Is it wise to surrender essential liberties for promised relief from a disease? What can we learn from Singapore, South Korea and Sweden concerning how they have dealt with the COVID 19 epidemic without a lockdown undermining the economy and impoverishing millions? What can we practically do? 

“To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” 

Isaiah 8:20

From the Frontline-Episode 110-Reaching Muslims Intentionally

Reaching Muslims Intentionally

Please tune in to the latest From the Frontline podcast on www.FrontlineMissionSA.org. It will be uploaded and available on our https://fromthefrontline.podbean.com from 21:00, Tuesday, 24 March. Join us as we discuss with missionaries Walter and Christel how to understand Islam and how to effectively reach Muslims with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Walter and Christel are missionaries from Germany, who, for the last 40 years, have been dedicated to reaching Muslims for Christ. Based in Africa since 1981, they have ministered throughout Africa and have many valuable insights and inspiring testimonies of lives transformed by the Word of God.

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” 

Romans 1:16

From the Frontline-Episode 109-Pandemic, Panic, Propaganda and Priorities

Pandemic, Panic, Propaganda and Priorities

Join us as we discuss the Coronavirus phenomenon, globalism, China, 5G, the New World Order agenda and the unprecedented panic reactions which threaten to cause vastly more economic damage than the virus itself. South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa claims that the Coronavirus is “the greatest threat to our democracy in history.” Is that true? What is the balanced and Biblical perspective on hygiene and diseases? What can we practically do to protect ourselves from disease and the destructions and disasters of statism, idolatry and heavy-handed state interventionism? How does the Coronavirus compare with historic pandemics such as the Bubonic plague and the Spanish Flu epidemic? What about ideological diseases? What about spiritual diseases? How can we best understand the times and use this crisis for the advancement of the Kingdom of God and the fulfilment of the Great Commission?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7

From the Frontline-Episode 108-Eschatology and Missionary Strategy

Eschatology and Missionary Strategy

Join us as we discuss the importance of Eschatology (our understanding of the future) and its influence on Missionary Strategy. The greatest era of missionary advance was the 19^th century (1801-1900). What inspired the Greatest Century of Missions? What was the Theological background in Eschatology of the missionaries of that era? How does our understanding of the future affect our strategies today? What motivated missionaries such as William Carey, David Livingstone and Mary Slessor, to boldly go into difficult and dangerous countries for the fulfilment of the Great Commission?

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the Kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.”

Psalm 22:27-28

From the Frontline-Episode 107-Global Engagement with John Boyd

Global Engagement with John Boyd

Join us as we interview John Boyd and hear directly from him, his incredible testimony, coming from a secular family, after serving as a policeman in the British South Africa Police during the Rhodesia War, his conversion to Christ and call to Missionary Aviation Fellowship. John and Tanya Boyd were missionaries in the Congo when the Great Lakes War erupted and their mission base was destroyed. Tough as the mission to the Congo was, their mission to Haiti was even harder. Learn of MAF’s key role serving the suffering during the devastating earthquake there and how John Boyd was led by the Lord to become Director of MAF South Africa and then for over 10 years, President and CEO of MAF Internationally, relocating the MAF Mission HQ from California to Idaho. Now John is involved in an exciting new project leading the Institute for Global Engagement in advocating for Religious Freedom in communist countries, such as Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Laos, China and in Muslim countries in the Middle East.

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Matthew 25:40.