Frontier Faith by Stephen Bly and podcast

No Frills Faith On The Frontier

Life out in the boonies helps simplify many things, such as lifestyles and frontier faith. On the frontier, you’re on your own, often isolated. Whether medical or law enforcement emergencies, you take care of it yourself. You don’t fit any set patterns except find what works.

What Frontier Faith Means

Frontier faith doesn’t rely on theory and opinion. Blunt advice out of proven experience appreciated. Forget the therapy of feelings approach. Truth treasured above all else. Sometimes that causes offense, but it can save from error and wasteful detours.

Long discourses on systematic theology rate next to useless. Whether you’re Methodist or Baptist, Pentecostal or grew up in a strong Catholic home, all are considered sinners, saved by grace. We need the simple gospel stated in a timely, clear fashion. Many theological discussions remain for the leisure class to deliberate.

Frontier faith lives out grace. On the frontier, sin is recognized, visible, and everywhere. But also, so is righteousness. Preaching about grace abounds because of the great need. The definition for hallelujah, saving grace–

God’s love freely given to guilty sinners in defiance of what they deserve.

This grace leads to joy, repentance, discipleship and holiness.

Frontier faith remembers the gospel. Presenting spiritual truth in subtle ways may work for those with lots of time and little to do. Those living on the frontier tend to be tired from daily hard work. When it comes to the gospel message, they desire to get to the core points quick.

My Faith Statement

1.) Jesus is who He says He is. And He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 2.) Jesus did what He said He’d do. He defeated the devil and died for our sins. 3.) Jesus is doing right now what He said He would be doing. He’s interceding for us and always present with us. 4.) Jesus will be doing in the future what He said He would do. He will return, separate the sheep from the goats, and take us to His home to be with Him forever.

You might say, “Wow, that’s very simplistic.” And I say, “So, your point is?”

Frontier faith holds on to goodness. The emphasis centers on doing the right thing. Most of us know what that is, but whenever we don’t, the Lord will teach us. Look for the next good action to do.

Frontier faith is simple and stark, yet vast. There’s still so much to be explored, just like the western frontier. We’ve not seen or experienced all the deep wonders of God’s grace. It’s so amazing. We can ponder it forever. And the mysteries of the gospel of Jesus Christ still surprise under any intense scrutiny.

Stephen Bly

Copyright©2003

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“Frontier Faith” audio podcast by award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Sponsored by BlyBooks.com Legacy Series. Life out on the frontier simplifies lifestyles and faith. How frontier faith helps hone witness and daily guidance. Recorded June 2003 at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference, Norton Shores, Michigan.

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