Western Standard opinion editor Nigel Hannaford said God has given the answers to issues Canada is facing. “The problems we face are how we can live out our faith in a society that, led by our government, has abandoned absolute truth and no longer shares or echoes our values,” said Hannaford in the Thursday keynote speech at the Calgary Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Calgary.“And the answers God has already given us are the same ones he ever gave to every company of Christ followers from the very start.” Hannaford said these answers are “to imitate Jesus Christ in how we live and to be loyal to him above all.” If people want to follow Jesus, he said no matters should come between them. He acknowledged people should love as Jesus did, be faithful as he is and love the truth. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. As Christians in Canada, he said they have had it easy for a few hundred years. Christian beliefs and Canadian law lined up well most of the time. Now Christians are asked to commit to a matter that is untrue or risk losing their jobs, incomes, homes, friends, families and children. He asked people what will they do. While people might believe Canada is a Christian nation, he said it is not. In 1982, the Canadian government adopted the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that led to a foundational change in how courts interpreted laws. Where nine Supreme Court of Canada judges once had to reflect the truth-based traditions of common law, their job now has turned into interpreting the law with the country’s consensus. As Canada evolves, the Supreme Court judges have been asked to treat the Charter as a living tree. The Sixth Commandment is thou shall not kill. Doctors used to be guilty of murder if they killed people. Canadian medical assistance in dying (MAiD) activist Sue Rodriguez wanted to have it done many years ago. The Supreme Court declined to legalize MAiD because the public was not ready for it. The same issue came back less than 20 years later, but the Supreme Court decided the opposite. In the view of nine judges, public opinion had changed and so should MAiD’s legality. He said this scenario means what Christians believe might be acceptable to their neighbours today, but not tomorrow. In fact, it might be illegal. Biblical truth is love loves life, and God urges people to choose it. People cannot make the case for MAiD from the Bible. He pointed out Christian doctors are left in a predicament about MAiD. They can choose to carry it out against their consciences or risk losing their jobs. Every time people say yes to a lie or let an untruth pass without comment, he said the lie gets stronger. Before being expelled from Russia, writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said people should live not by lies. If people want to change Canada, Hannaford said they “must get out of the Christian bunker and be a light to those around us.” Christians have to love every one. “We do not win hearts and souls through force, logic, or argument, but with love,” he said.Faith Beyond Belief Director of Content Shafer Parker introduced Hannaford by saying he turned to God during a crisis in his life. “And through faith in Jesus Christ, found his life transformed,” said Parker. “Later, when his pastor dared him to obey God’s word even when he didn’t fully understand why, Nigel accepted the challenge.” While it was not easy, Parker said he has found every sacrifice has been repaid with joy and glory. They became friends 15 years ago, and he attested he is a man who practices what he preaches. Hannaford was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Alberta government in May. READ MORE: WS's Hannaford receives Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for community work“This was a complete and utter surprise,” he said. “I don't know how I deserve it, but I do like it.”
Western Standard opinion editor Nigel Hannaford said God has given the answers to issues Canada is facing. “The problems we face are how we can live out our faith in a society that, led by our government, has abandoned absolute truth and no longer shares or echoes our values,” said Hannaford in the Thursday keynote speech at the Calgary Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Westin Calgary.“And the answers God has already given us are the same ones he ever gave to every company of Christ followers from the very start.” Hannaford said these answers are “to imitate Jesus Christ in how we live and to be loyal to him above all.” If people want to follow Jesus, he said no matters should come between them. He acknowledged people should love as Jesus did, be faithful as he is and love the truth. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. As Christians in Canada, he said they have had it easy for a few hundred years. Christian beliefs and Canadian law lined up well most of the time. Now Christians are asked to commit to a matter that is untrue or risk losing their jobs, incomes, homes, friends, families and children. He asked people what will they do. While people might believe Canada is a Christian nation, he said it is not. In 1982, the Canadian government adopted the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that led to a foundational change in how courts interpreted laws. Where nine Supreme Court of Canada judges once had to reflect the truth-based traditions of common law, their job now has turned into interpreting the law with the country’s consensus. As Canada evolves, the Supreme Court judges have been asked to treat the Charter as a living tree. The Sixth Commandment is thou shall not kill. Doctors used to be guilty of murder if they killed people. Canadian medical assistance in dying (MAiD) activist Sue Rodriguez wanted to have it done many years ago. The Supreme Court declined to legalize MAiD because the public was not ready for it. The same issue came back less than 20 years later, but the Supreme Court decided the opposite. In the view of nine judges, public opinion had changed and so should MAiD’s legality. He said this scenario means what Christians believe might be acceptable to their neighbours today, but not tomorrow. In fact, it might be illegal. Biblical truth is love loves life, and God urges people to choose it. People cannot make the case for MAiD from the Bible. He pointed out Christian doctors are left in a predicament about MAiD. They can choose to carry it out against their consciences or risk losing their jobs. Every time people say yes to a lie or let an untruth pass without comment, he said the lie gets stronger. Before being expelled from Russia, writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said people should live not by lies. If people want to change Canada, Hannaford said they “must get out of the Christian bunker and be a light to those around us.” Christians have to love every one. “We do not win hearts and souls through force, logic, or argument, but with love,” he said.Faith Beyond Belief Director of Content Shafer Parker introduced Hannaford by saying he turned to God during a crisis in his life. “And through faith in Jesus Christ, found his life transformed,” said Parker. “Later, when his pastor dared him to obey God’s word even when he didn’t fully understand why, Nigel accepted the challenge.” While it was not easy, Parker said he has found every sacrifice has been repaid with joy and glory. They became friends 15 years ago, and he attested he is a man who practices what he preaches. Hannaford was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Alberta government in May. READ MORE: WS's Hannaford receives Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for community work“This was a complete and utter surprise,” he said. “I don't know how I deserve it, but I do like it.”
