Magazine, Past Issue
Mar/Apr 2026 issue
WHAT'S INSIDE:
- We’re excited to share the winners of this year’s brick building contest. Once again, we received hundreds of entries, and once again we hope that what’s featured here in the magazine will motivate you to go online to watch the contestants’ videos, which are a must-see! Check them out at ReformedPerspective.ca/bricks2026.
- Reformed Perspective’s Bucket List Book Club (the RPBLBC for short!) had its first two Zoom call meetings of the year (with 100+ participants) and it is never too late to join in. Go to ReformedPerspective.ca/BLBC to find out how to join our next Zoom call, and get more information on other books we’ll be reading this year.
- We have two feature articles this issue – the cover article on putting sports in its proper place, and "Blessed are the caregivers" on a role most of us will take on at some point in our lives, but, as with the Hoogerdyks, it may come when we aren't expecting.
We have three options for you to read the magazine. First up is the flipbook edition, with its turning pages. Below that, you can click the cover to view the pdf in your browser, or click here to download the PDF (14 mb)
INDEX: A business tithe on sales / Blessed are the caregivers / Can you build it better? Yes, you can! / Retirement: What are you retiring from? What are you retiring to? / The case against the draft / The beauty of 52 Sundays, or why we gave two years to bringing the Heidelberg Catechism to video / Carried / When sports is an idol / Life skills every high school graduate needs to know / Come and Explore: made in God's Image / In a nutshell / Proverbs: a different sort of devotional / Good, great, and gift: RP's 3 levels of best books / Why Reformed theology writes better fantasy / Great books for boys 10-13 / Business success channeled into kingdom growth / Anne deJong is taking a palette knife to the Rockies / When there is smoke... / Crossword / A theology of cleaning / How to catch Ice Age man using digital reindeer / More than the magazine / In Christ
News
Hundreds of Reformed Christians gathered on Parliament Hill to protest Bill C-9
Last week, ARPA Canada hosted a rally on Parliament Hill calling on the federal government to halt Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act. Despite cold temperatures and blustery winds, approximately 400–450 people gathered on the Hill to show their concern about the legislation.
Supporters travelled from across Ontario to take part, including more than 200 people who came from Southern Ontario by coach bus. With the help of local ARPA chapters, four coach buses were organized to bring supporters to Ottawa and back in a single day. For many participants, this made it possible to attend the rally who otherwise would not have been able to make the trip.
We were thankful to have Rev. Joel Dykstra, Mr. Rod Taylor of the Christian Heritage Party, and Christine Van Geyn of the Canadian Constitution Foundation as guest speakers.
The rally also drew the attention of federal lawmakers. At least thirteen Members of Parliament attended the event. Eleven MPs stood together on the podium when MP Jacob Mantle and MP Andrew Lawton spoke to those gathered.
Planning for the event began in January, long before it was clear when Parliament would be addressing Bill C-9. Providentially, the rally took place during the same week that the House of Commons voted to end debate on the bill and move it forward in the legislative process. The bill will now return to the House for third reading, and a vote is expected on March 23 or 24.
This brief delay provides Canadians with additional time to engage with their Members of Parliament about the legislation. We encourage everyone to contact their federal MP, whether by email or phone call. Information and action steps are available here.
Our primary concern with Bill C-9 relates to an amendment during the committee stage. While the bill, as originally introduced, raised fewer concerns than previous hate-speech bills, a Justice Committee amendment removed the “good faith religious defense” from the Criminal Code. This defense had previously provided protection for those expressing sincerely held religious beliefs.
Without that safeguard, there is concern that Christians and others could face greater legal risk for expressing biblical perspectives on moral and identity-related issues. Even beyond potential prosecutions, such legislation can create a “chilling effect,” where individuals choose to remain silent rather than risk legal consequences.
For Christians, the concern is not merely political but principled. Scripture calls believers to love their neighbors while also speaking truth faithfully and with humility. The ability to express those convictions openly remains an important part of living out that calling in public life.
Picture graciously supplied by ARPA Canada.
Today's Devotional
March 19 - Doubting the fulfillment of God’s mission for his glory
“And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”” - Genesis 15:6
Scripture reading: Genesis 15:1-6
Do you ever doubt that God will succeed in His mission for His glory, making all things new in a world where His people and His world will again dwell in His loving presence and be people and >
Today's Manna Podcast
Focusing on the Gospel
Serving #1151 of Manna, prepared by R. Bredenhof, is called "Focusing on the Gospel".
