Michael Pahl
@mwpahl.bsky.social
anabaptist-mennonite • follower of jesus and his way of love • phd (nt) • treaty one • he/him • mc manitoba em, opinions here ≠ mcm • www.michaelpahl.com
This is just...sad. It's tragic. Genesis 1-2 isn't about the how and when of creation, but the who and the why—like all ancient origins myths. And many Christians have been fine with evolution since Darwin first proposed it.
I suspect that Ken Ham has created more atheists than he has Christians.
I suspect that Ken Ham has created more atheists than he has Christians.
November 7, 2025 at 2:58 AM
This is just...sad. It's tragic. Genesis 1-2 isn't about the how and when of creation, but the who and the why—like all ancient origins myths. And many Christians have been fine with evolution since Darwin first proposed it.
I suspect that Ken Ham has created more atheists than he has Christians.
I suspect that Ken Ham has created more atheists than he has Christians.
I play violin in this terrific community orchestra. We've got a concert coming up Sunday, and it's gonna be good. If you're in Winnipeg or area, come on out!
November 4, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I play violin in this terrific community orchestra. We've got a concert coming up Sunday, and it's gonna be good. If you're in Winnipeg or area, come on out!
I'm adding this to my pile of evidence to support the idea that there are two basic visions for humanity and human societies out there:
1. A segregationist vision.
2. An integrationist or pluralist vision.
I know which one the New Testament points toward (it's not the first).
1. A segregationist vision.
2. An integrationist or pluralist vision.
I know which one the New Testament points toward (it's not the first).
October 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I'm adding this to my pile of evidence to support the idea that there are two basic visions for humanity and human societies out there:
1. A segregationist vision.
2. An integrationist or pluralist vision.
I know which one the New Testament points toward (it's not the first).
1. A segregationist vision.
2. An integrationist or pluralist vision.
I know which one the New Testament points toward (it's not the first).
Maybe this is an extreme. But it nicely illustrates a reality I've been noting for over a decade: Christianity is polarizing into two broad camps, each with a different Jesus, a different Spirit, a different gospel (2Cor11:4). Both claim biblical support, but they read their Bibles very differently.
![Screenshot of a social media post and response.
The post: "Jesus is my king, and that's why I protested [at the No Kings Day protests]."
The response: "You don't serve the same Jesus I do. Jesus has always been against, homosexuality, abortion, stealing from the wealthy to pay for the poor. Jesus hates all sin, but you all justify sin and say Jesus is okay with it. That's why you don't serve the same Jesus, I do. You all cry about immigration, but doesn't Heaven have a border? Does anyone get into Heaven without a relationship with Jesus? They sure don't. But I thought Jesus was for borders... Again, you do not serve the same Jesus I do."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ejwn4tgzlblh6xrks3xbgrel/bafkreidxea2uuufguucaru5vixf4mmnqpzg5p4pzmako2fcqxw6jmedmay@jpeg)
October 20, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Maybe this is an extreme. But it nicely illustrates a reality I've been noting for over a decade: Christianity is polarizing into two broad camps, each with a different Jesus, a different Spirit, a different gospel (2Cor11:4). Both claim biblical support, but they read their Bibles very differently.
You know, even if the Flames finish 1-81, it's still mission accomplished: beating the Oilers in Edmonton in the opening game of the season. #LifeAsAFlamesFan
October 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM
You know, even if the Flames finish 1-81, it's still mission accomplished: beating the Oilers in Edmonton in the opening game of the season. #LifeAsAFlamesFan
Poor Aaron is getting schooled on Canadian humour...
October 8, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Poor Aaron is getting schooled on Canadian humour...
And people wonder why Canadians don't want to come to the US anymore...
October 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM
And people wonder why Canadians don't want to come to the US anymore...
Many people know about Godwin's Law, which points out how glibly people describe their opponents as "Hitler" or "Nazis."
What many people aren't aware of is that Godwin himself has said, "Yep, Trump is acting like Hitler."
What many people aren't aware of is that Godwin himself has said, "Yep, Trump is acting like Hitler."
October 1, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Many people know about Godwin's Law, which points out how glibly people describe their opponents as "Hitler" or "Nazis."
What many people aren't aware of is that Godwin himself has said, "Yep, Trump is acting like Hitler."
What many people aren't aware of is that Godwin himself has said, "Yep, Trump is acting like Hitler."
This is a bald-faced lie. According to 2024 stats from Statistics Canada, just over 85% of reported hate crimes were against Jews (68%) and Muslims (17%).
October 1, 2025 at 1:18 AM
This is a bald-faced lie. According to 2024 stats from Statistics Canada, just over 85% of reported hate crimes were against Jews (68%) and Muslims (17%).
Every Child Matters.
September 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Every Child Matters.
🇨🇦 this is your biennial call for the Rapture—happening tomorrow!* Don't miss out! Sign up today!**
(Though if you do miss out, there will be another Rapture happening in two years or less. Watch for it!)
* 12pm Eastern, give or take. Half past in Newfoundland.
** Offer not available in Quebec.
(Though if you do miss out, there will be another Rapture happening in two years or less. Watch for it!)
* 12pm Eastern, give or take. Half past in Newfoundland.
** Offer not available in Quebec.
September 22, 2025 at 9:07 PM
🇨🇦 this is your biennial call for the Rapture—happening tomorrow!* Don't miss out! Sign up today!**
(Though if you do miss out, there will be another Rapture happening in two years or less. Watch for it!)
* 12pm Eastern, give or take. Half past in Newfoundland.
** Offer not available in Quebec.
(Though if you do miss out, there will be another Rapture happening in two years or less. Watch for it!)
* 12pm Eastern, give or take. Half past in Newfoundland.
** Offer not available in Quebec.
On the Finkelstein Formula, named after political strategist Arthur Finkelstein (screenshot from thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...)
September 5, 2025 at 1:13 AM
On the Finkelstein Formula, named after political strategist Arthur Finkelstein (screenshot from thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...)
Look how mature I've become: I've just seen people who were wrong on the internet and I scrolled past without a second thought.
August 23, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Look how mature I've become: I've just seen people who were wrong on the internet and I scrolled past without a second thought.
Which raises the question: when *should* Christians speak out prophetically about morality within society?
The Bible points to the answer in hundreds of verses: when the poor, the widow and orphan, the immigrant and refugee—any of the most powerless and vulnerable in society—are in danger of harm.
The Bible points to the answer in hundreds of verses: when the poor, the widow and orphan, the immigrant and refugee—any of the most powerless and vulnerable in society—are in danger of harm.
August 18, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Which raises the question: when *should* Christians speak out prophetically about morality within society?
The Bible points to the answer in hundreds of verses: when the poor, the widow and orphan, the immigrant and refugee—any of the most powerless and vulnerable in society—are in danger of harm.
The Bible points to the answer in hundreds of verses: when the poor, the widow and orphan, the immigrant and refugee—any of the most powerless and vulnerable in society—are in danger of harm.
How did Jesus read his Scriptures? What might that tell us about how we as Jesus' followers should read ours? Check out my most recent book, "The Word Fulfilled: Reading the Bible with Jesus."
www.commonword.ca/ResourceView...
www.commonword.ca/ResourceView...
August 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
How did Jesus read his Scriptures? What might that tell us about how we as Jesus' followers should read ours? Check out my most recent book, "The Word Fulfilled: Reading the Bible with Jesus."
www.commonword.ca/ResourceView...
www.commonword.ca/ResourceView...
Here's how Wikipedia describes "the American Dream." It's never been a real possibility for all Americans or wannabe-Americans, but it's even further from reality now than it ever has been.
August 8, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Here's how Wikipedia describes "the American Dream." It's never been a real possibility for all Americans or wannabe-Americans, but it's even further from reality now than it ever has been.
Say hi to Schoko, the newest member of our family!
July 19, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Say hi to Schoko, the newest member of our family!
I'm back from a couple of weeks away, including a few days with this view. Could have used a few more days away, tbh! But I'm grateful for some time surrounded by trees and water, with beloved people and good food.
July 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I'm back from a couple of weeks away, including a few days with this view. Could have used a few more days away, tbh! But I'm grateful for some time surrounded by trees and water, with beloved people and good food.
Another Mennonite Church Canada Gathering is in the books!
This is the artwork commissioned for #MennoGathering2025: the church, flowing out of the life of God in the earth-water-sky tones of the world. The piece is covered with small circles, each with an individual participant's fingerprint.
This is the artwork commissioned for #MennoGathering2025: the church, flowing out of the life of God in the earth-water-sky tones of the world. The piece is covered with small circles, each with an individual participant's fingerprint.
July 5, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Another Mennonite Church Canada Gathering is in the books!
This is the artwork commissioned for #MennoGathering2025: the church, flowing out of the life of God in the earth-water-sky tones of the world. The piece is covered with small circles, each with an individual participant's fingerprint.
This is the artwork commissioned for #MennoGathering2025: the church, flowing out of the life of God in the earth-water-sky tones of the world. The piece is covered with small circles, each with an individual participant's fingerprint.
Look who I caught up with at #MennoGathering2025!
July 3, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Look who I caught up with at #MennoGathering2025!
To search for evidence for God betrays a certain understanding of God: that God is a being like other beings who leaves behind traces like other beings. What evidence does a God leave behind who is the one in whom all things exist, who is the ground of all being, besides the reality of being itself?
June 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM
To search for evidence for God betrays a certain understanding of God: that God is a being like other beings who leaves behind traces like other beings. What evidence does a God leave behind who is the one in whom all things exist, who is the ground of all being, besides the reality of being itself?
My wife has been nurturing this thistle in our front yard just to see how big it will grow. It's pretty impressive!
(Person included for scale.)
(Person included for scale.)
June 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
My wife has been nurturing this thistle in our front yard just to see how big it will grow. It's pretty impressive!
(Person included for scale.)
(Person included for scale.)
🎶 "One of these things is not like the others" 🎶
June 6, 2025 at 6:41 PM
🎶 "One of these things is not like the others" 🎶