Showing posts with label Christian Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Education. Show all posts
Saturday, 19 January 2019
Saturday, 5 January 2019
Remembering Dr Henry Cooke, Part two - His battle for a truly 'Christian', 'Bible based' education system (Second Part)
In 1824 Sir Robert Peel instigated the setting up of a Royal Commission on Education, and the subsequent Select Committees of the Lords and Commons to: inquire into the nature and extent of the instruction afforded by the several institutions established for the purposes of education, and to report as to the measures which can be adopted for extending generally to all classes of the people the benefits of education.
Henry Cooke and the Synod of Ulster opposed the recommendations which came from the Royal Commission. His opposition centred around the exclusion of the Bible from the system of education being proposed.
Friday, 4 January 2019
Monday, 31 December 2018
Remembering Dr Henry Cooke, Part two - His battle for a truly 'Christian', 'Bible based' education system
Again, as in the battle for Trinitarianism Henry Cooke stepped forward and led from the front. He believed in the righteousness of his cause and would not accept anything less than that which honoured the Lord, His truth and that which would adequately safeguard the spiritual wellbeing of Protestant children.
Dr Henry Cooke’s Contending for a 'Bible based' education system
In 1824 when Henry Cooke was moderator of the Synod Sir Robert Peel instigated the setting up of a Royal Commission on Education, and the subsequent Select Committees of the Lords and Commons to: inquire into the nature and extent of the instruction afforded by the several institutions established for the purposes of education, and to report as to the measures which can be adopted for extending generally to all classes of the people the benefits of education.Tuesday, 20 November 2018
Monday, 5 March 2018
World Book Day - Books which push a sinful lifestyle.
Sadly this year the organisers have used two authors who are homosexual. One of these authors, Clare Balding, uses the opportunity to condition children to accepting this sinful agenda by including reference to a homosexual couple in the storyline in one of these books available to young children. The book in question is The Girl Who Thought She Was A Dog.
Books that Encouraged Children to Question their Gender
Books made available for young people in nurseries and primary schools across the United Kingdom in recent weeks and months have encouraged children to question their gender.
Nursery school children as young as three are being exposed to characters who are unsure about their gender by a Government-funded Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender charity.
Nursery school children as young as three are being exposed to characters who are unsure about their gender by a Government-funded Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender charity.
Sunday, 21 January 2018
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Unsuitability of CCEA's new GCSE English Literature Specification
The new specification purports to offer a range of texts, but in reality they are dreadfully similar in their portrayal of the seamy, sordid and base side of life and their use of unacceptable language. It also purports to give a choice but in reality there is no real choice for those with Christian beliefs and convictions.
Concerns exist around different sections:
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Martin Luther & Christian Education
Martin Luther recognised the importance of establishing Christian schools as part of the work of
Reformation. In 1524 he wrote to the leaders in Protestant cities of Germany urging them to set up Christian schools [Vol. 4 of his works] He denounced the universities of his day as, 'dens of hell'.
It is no surprise that he commenced schools from primary level up to university level. Luther was known as the father of popular education and the application of his principles made the land of Luther the land of libraries and schools.
It is no surprise that he commenced schools from primary level up to university level. Luther was known as the father of popular education and the application of his principles made the land of Luther the land of libraries and schools.
It was Luther's deputy Melanchthon, 1497-1560, who concentrated on setting up an educational system and in particular secondary schools. He was known as the 'Creator of Protestant educational system in Germany.' He wrote textbooks on Latin and Greek grammar, psychology, ethics, history and religion. In the universities established professors had to be bound by the confessions of the church.
Luther's had praise for Christian school teachers: I tell you in a word that a diligent devoted school teacher, preceptor or any person, no matter what is his title is, who faithfully trains and teaches boys, can never receive an adequate reward and no money is sufficient to pay the debt you owe him, yet we treat them with contempt as if they were of no account whatever and all the time, we profess to be Christians. For my part, if I were compelled to leave off preaching and to enter some other vocation I know not an office that would please me better than that of schoolmaster, or teacher of boys.
For I am convinced that next to preaching, this is the most useful and greatly the best labour in all the world, and, in fact I am sometimes in doubt which of the positions is more honourable. For you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, and it is hard to reform old sinners but this is what by preaching we undertake to do and our labour is often spent in vain, but it is easy to train and bend young trees though haply in the process some may be broken. My friend, nowhere on earth can you find a higher virtue than is displayed by the stranger who takes your children and gives them a faithful training, a labour which parents very seldom perform even for their own offspring.
Luther's had praise for Christian school teachers: I tell you in a word that a diligent devoted school teacher, preceptor or any person, no matter what is his title is, who faithfully trains and teaches boys, can never receive an adequate reward and no money is sufficient to pay the debt you owe him, yet we treat them with contempt as if they were of no account whatever and all the time, we profess to be Christians. For my part, if I were compelled to leave off preaching and to enter some other vocation I know not an office that would please me better than that of schoolmaster, or teacher of boys.
For I am convinced that next to preaching, this is the most useful and greatly the best labour in all the world, and, in fact I am sometimes in doubt which of the positions is more honourable. For you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, and it is hard to reform old sinners but this is what by preaching we undertake to do and our labour is often spent in vain, but it is easy to train and bend young trees though haply in the process some may be broken. My friend, nowhere on earth can you find a higher virtue than is displayed by the stranger who takes your children and gives them a faithful training, a labour which parents very seldom perform even for their own offspring.
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
The wrongs of Integrated Education for Bible Believers
Adapted from 'The Quiver', the e-newsletter of Newtownabbey Independent Christian School
It is worth remembering that there are serious issues with integrated schools for Bible believing Christians:
1. These schools are profoundly ecumenical in character and ethos. They may profess to be 'Christian' in character, however, in reality, they are ecumenical schools.
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
Is believing and teaching Creationism* Scientific? Part 2
*By Creationism we mean the belief in a literal six day creation of the world.
Here are two further reasons why believing and teaching Creationism is scientific [For Part One click here]:
3. Creationism is as scientific as evolution and we believe much more so. The belief in creationism and the belief in evolution stand upon similar foundations. To a considerable degree they are faith based beliefs.
If we think that this is not true about evolution then observe some words which appear in the introduction to one edition of Darwin's Origin of Species:
Here are two further reasons why believing and teaching Creationism is scientific [For Part One click here]:
3. Creationism is as scientific as evolution and we believe much more so. The belief in creationism and the belief in evolution stand upon similar foundations. To a considerable degree they are faith based beliefs.
If we think that this is not true about evolution then observe some words which appear in the introduction to one edition of Darwin's Origin of Species:
The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded upon a unproven theory - is it then a science or a faith? Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to belief in special creation - both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither, up to the present, have been capable of proof. [Found on page xi of the Introduction to an edition of The Origin of Species, by Charles Darwin, published in 1971 by J.M. Dent & Sons]
Sunday, 15 June 2014
Is believing and teaching Creationism* Scientific?
*By Creationism we mean the belief in a literal six day creation of the world.
The evolutionist will emphatically say no. Belief in Creationism could never be equated with science, they say. The claim is often made that all scientists believe in evolution. For this reason the teaching of evolution must alone be permitted to enter the Science classroom. The study of Creationism is banished from the Science classroom and found only in the Religious Studies classroom.
Consider some salient facts:
I. Evolution simply doesn't have all the science on its side. That is a false claim they make!
There are eminent, present day, scientists who believe in a literal six day creation. A book entitled "In Six Days" was in recent years researched and published containing the views of 50 scientists who were asked to give their personal response to the question: "Why do you believe in a literal six-day biblical creation as the origin of life on earth?"
These 50 modern day scientists have all earned a Doctorate from a state-recognised university in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, or Germany. These 50 scientists come from a variety of backgrounds. They include university professors and researchers, geologists, zoologists, biologists, botanists, physicists, chemists, mathematicians, medical researchers, and engineers.
The evolutionist will emphatically say no. Belief in Creationism could never be equated with science, they say. The claim is often made that all scientists believe in evolution. For this reason the teaching of evolution must alone be permitted to enter the Science classroom. The study of Creationism is banished from the Science classroom and found only in the Religious Studies classroom.
Consider some salient facts:
I. Evolution simply doesn't have all the science on its side. That is a false claim they make!
There are eminent, present day, scientists who believe in a literal six day creation. A book entitled "In Six Days" was in recent years researched and published containing the views of 50 scientists who were asked to give their personal response to the question: "Why do you believe in a literal six-day biblical creation as the origin of life on earth?"
These 50 modern day scientists have all earned a Doctorate from a state-recognised university in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, or Germany. These 50 scientists come from a variety of backgrounds. They include university professors and researchers, geologists, zoologists, biologists, botanists, physicists, chemists, mathematicians, medical researchers, and engineers.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Threefold Cord - the Importance of Christian Education
This sermon was preached by invitation in Ballymoney FPC on Lord's day morning 15th April
The Threefold Cord - the Importance of Christian Education
The Threefold Cord - the Importance of Christian Education
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Unsuitable State Education
I was reading through the Core Syllabus for Religious Education pdf document I found on the Department of Education [DENI] website.
Here is a screen grab:
This document highlights two areas that should concern every born again believer and especially every Free Presbyterian. One has been the case for some time. The other I believe more recent:
1. Religious Education as defined by the four main Churches [Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, & Methodist] and filtered through an Equality Impact Assessment is compulsory for every pupil in a state school.
1. Religious Education as defined by the four main Churches [Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, & Methodist] and filtered through an Equality Impact Assessment is compulsory for every pupil in a state school.
This means that anything approach the Gospel is flushed out of this syllabus. This is just an anemic, bland excuse for the Truth and a blatant exercise in ecumenism that is being taught to Free Presbyterians!
2. Equally worrying is that Relationships and Sexuality Education [RSE] & Citizenship Education is specifically said to include the teaching of respect for sodomy. By respect we all know they mean acceptance.
2. Equally worrying is that Relationships and Sexuality Education [RSE] & Citizenship Education is specifically said to include the teaching of respect for sodomy. By respect we all know they mean acceptance.
How can this be right? I do not see how it can be right to oppose Sodomy on one hand and on the other live in a day when Free Presbyterians place their children under such teaching. A house divided against itself cannot stand, Matt 12:25.
This is not the only reason for Christian Education but it certainly is one of them!
Monday, 7 November 2011
The folly of a Secular & Integrated Education
I have been asked to respond to the premise:
the removal of religious instruction from our school curriculum.
Here is a reply that I have sent:
The Word of God reminds us that there is really nothing new under the sun: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun, Ecclesiastes 1:9.
This is very true with the realm of education and the place that the Word of God and religious instruction has within it. The present clamour for the removal of religious instruction from education is not a new thing. Dr Henry Cooke, the eminent contender for 'Christian education' in the mid 1800s, within the then Synod of Ulster, argued that any system of education that did not have the Word of God at its core and centre was not worth having. Furthermore, any system that had merely 'Scripture Extracts', acceptable and agreeable to all, was equally rejected by Dr Henry Cooke and the Synod of Ulster. You can read of his views in the biography written by his son in law Prof. Porter, entitled: "The life and Times of Dr Cooke."
The Word of God reminds us that there is really nothing new under the sun: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun, Ecclesiastes 1:9.
This is very true with the realm of education and the place that the Word of God and religious instruction has within it. The present clamour for the removal of religious instruction from education is not a new thing. Dr Henry Cooke, the eminent contender for 'Christian education' in the mid 1800s, within the then Synod of Ulster, argued that any system of education that did not have the Word of God at its core and centre was not worth having. Furthermore, any system that had merely 'Scripture Extracts', acceptable and agreeable to all, was equally rejected by Dr Henry Cooke and the Synod of Ulster. You can read of his views in the biography written by his son in law Prof. Porter, entitled: "The life and Times of Dr Cooke."
Why should the Word of God be deemed so absolutely necessary within education? Consider that:
Secularism may seek, with ever increasing narrow-mindedness, to close down all discussion of the possibility that we are not here by blind chance, the result of random processes, but have been created by God for a purpose.
A system of education that denies this possibility and argues contrariwise is not going to serve well the young people who pass through it. Secularism fears setting down Biblical creationism in the science classroom as an alternative belief about origins. The belief in evolution that lies at the heart of atheistic thinking is just that, a 'belief'. No different from the 'belief' in creation. A 1971 edition of the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin had a very interesting statement in the introduction:
"The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded upon a unproven theory - is it then a science or a faith? Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to belief in special creation - both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither, up to the present, have been capable of proof."
I. A secular education does not impart true knowledge or
lead to true fulfillment and satisfaction in life
Being recent converts to education, the State and secular thinking generally countenances no alternatives. Yet it must be remembered that before the State took on the task of educating children, churches and religious organisations were engaged in the instruction of the young. When kings and parliaments were covering the earth in death and destruction, it was religious groups, particularly Reformed Christians, who were seeking to raise the young with a semblance of education. Many of the universities such as Trinity in Dublin and Queens in Belfast were commenced by Christians.Secularism may seek, with ever increasing narrow-mindedness, to close down all discussion of the possibility that we are not here by blind chance, the result of random processes, but have been created by God for a purpose.
A system of education that denies this possibility and argues contrariwise is not going to serve well the young people who pass through it. Secularism fears setting down Biblical creationism in the science classroom as an alternative belief about origins. The belief in evolution that lies at the heart of atheistic thinking is just that, a 'belief'. No different from the 'belief' in creation. A 1971 edition of the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin had a very interesting statement in the introduction:
"The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded upon a unproven theory - is it then a science or a faith? Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to belief in special creation - both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither, up to the present, have been capable of proof."
This was written by Dr Leonard Harrison Matthews [1901-1986], a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Saturday, 13 August 2011
A new type of 'Christian School'
Evangelical church application to set up new free school where it will teach creationism is approved
This is the headline from an article in the Daily Mail outlining the initial approval of a new Free School in England
Read the whole article here
Saturday, 19 March 2011
School Choir singing at 60th anniversary regional rally
Some photos of the joint school choir [Bangor & Newtownabbey Independent Christian schools] which took part in the 60th anniversary regional rally in Martyrs Memorial FPC last night.
Practising beforehand in the Paisley Jubilee Church
Taking part in the service
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Response to Peter Robinson's comments on Education
I have been asked repeatedly over the weekend by a number of media outlets to comment on Peter Robinson's remarks about education.
Here is the full text of the response I gave to the Newsletter yesterday. They have included a little of what I said in a report in today's edition.
1. Peter Robinson is right to highlight the unjustifiable advantages, privileges and special arrangements that Romanism is given in the field of education in Northern Ireland. 100% funding is available to no other religious group that I know of.
2. His language about church schools being a ‘benign form of apartheid’ are however totally unacceptable, if he includes the FPC schools in that description.
i. If the state sector of education doesn’t offer an education in accordance with what the Word of God commands, then every Bible believing Christian has every right, and a duty, to stand apart and run their own system of education. This is not a ‘benign form of apartheid’ but obedience to the Word of God.
ii. The state sector is presently secular, evolutionary, & man-centred in its ethos and therefore ultimately falls short of true education, For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding, Prov 2:6. True education begins with a knowledge of God as He has revealed Himself in His holy Word.
To stand apart on the issue of faith is the essence of Bible religion. In fact, God pronounces a blessing upon it: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, Ps 1:1.
3. Peter Robinson draws a parallel between the higher level education and primary or secondary schools.
i. He fails to appreciate the importance of education in these early formative years. The older someone grows the more they should be able to discern between what is truth and what is error. In early years there is the additional aspect of a pupils' character forming.
ii. If there was a Christian University/College holding to evangelical principles then I would certainly encourage Christians to attend there. This is due to the fact that sinful example has a detrimental effect upon the youth. So much behaviour is learned by watching others. God commands us to be wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil, Rom 16:19; Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things, Phil 4:8. Sadly many state educational institutions fall far short of this exhortation.
Historically, many of the state schools and universities originally started out being run and funded by Churches. It is the state who are the recent converts to education and not Churches.
iii. It must be remembered that education is not neutral. All education must have an ethos which underpins it. Secular education seeks to send out into the world those who are of a secular outlook. This is unacceptable for a Bible believer. God commands the Christian to raise their children with a Biblical worldview, to fear God and to serve Jesus Christ. The born again believer who wants to obey God has presently no option but to stand apart and place their children in an environment that honours God and has the Bible as its foundational textbook.
iv. State education has in the past been used to further the aims of politicians in solving the ‘troubles’ in Northern Ireland. Education for Mutual Understanding was set up by the Department of Education with the purpose of eliminating differences and points of distinction on the foolish premise that this would solve Ulster’s troubles. It was an attack upon evangelical Christianity.
The state is not neutral, that is impossible for any form of education. The ethos of the state system of education is contrary to the evangelical Christianity.
4. Christian legislators are required to rule by the Word of God and particularly the Moral Law of God, Rom 13:1-10 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
If they fail to do so then it can be legitimately asked: what is the point of electing them in the first place if they acquiesce in or even push a secularist agenda?
Here is the full text of the response I gave to the Newsletter yesterday. They have included a little of what I said in a report in today's edition.
1. Peter Robinson is right to highlight the unjustifiable advantages, privileges and special arrangements that Romanism is given in the field of education in Northern Ireland. 100% funding is available to no other religious group that I know of.
2. His language about church schools being a ‘benign form of apartheid’ are however totally unacceptable, if he includes the FPC schools in that description.
i. If the state sector of education doesn’t offer an education in accordance with what the Word of God commands, then every Bible believing Christian has every right, and a duty, to stand apart and run their own system of education. This is not a ‘benign form of apartheid’ but obedience to the Word of God.
ii. The state sector is presently secular, evolutionary, & man-centred in its ethos and therefore ultimately falls short of true education, For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding, Prov 2:6. True education begins with a knowledge of God as He has revealed Himself in His holy Word.
iii. The Bible clearly teaches the principles of separation. This is a fundamental starting point for evangelical Christianity. The born again believer is in the world but not of the world. We are to stand apart, ecclesiastically, morally, and educationally. This has been the historic position of our Christian forefathers.
We have been here before. This is not a new idea. Dr Henry Cooke [A Presbyterian minister back in the mid 1800s] had a great controversy over the issue of joint education.
iv. It is disingenuous for Peter Robinson to equate race and faith based views. To segregate on the basis of race is unbiblical, God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth…, Acts 17:26.
We have been here before. This is not a new idea. Dr Henry Cooke [A Presbyterian minister back in the mid 1800s] had a great controversy over the issue of joint education.
iv. It is disingenuous for Peter Robinson to equate race and faith based views. To segregate on the basis of race is unbiblical, God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth…, Acts 17:26.
To stand apart on the issue of faith is the essence of Bible religion. In fact, God pronounces a blessing upon it: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, Ps 1:1.
3. Peter Robinson draws a parallel between the higher level education and primary or secondary schools.
i. He fails to appreciate the importance of education in these early formative years. The older someone grows the more they should be able to discern between what is truth and what is error. In early years there is the additional aspect of a pupils' character forming.
ii. If there was a Christian University/College holding to evangelical principles then I would certainly encourage Christians to attend there. This is due to the fact that sinful example has a detrimental effect upon the youth. So much behaviour is learned by watching others. God commands us to be wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil, Rom 16:19; Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things, Phil 4:8. Sadly many state educational institutions fall far short of this exhortation.
Historically, many of the state schools and universities originally started out being run and funded by Churches. It is the state who are the recent converts to education and not Churches.
iii. It must be remembered that education is not neutral. All education must have an ethos which underpins it. Secular education seeks to send out into the world those who are of a secular outlook. This is unacceptable for a Bible believer. God commands the Christian to raise their children with a Biblical worldview, to fear God and to serve Jesus Christ. The born again believer who wants to obey God has presently no option but to stand apart and place their children in an environment that honours God and has the Bible as its foundational textbook.
iv. State education has in the past been used to further the aims of politicians in solving the ‘troubles’ in Northern Ireland. Education for Mutual Understanding was set up by the Department of Education with the purpose of eliminating differences and points of distinction on the foolish premise that this would solve Ulster’s troubles. It was an attack upon evangelical Christianity.
The state is not neutral, that is impossible for any form of education. The ethos of the state system of education is contrary to the evangelical Christianity.
4. Christian legislators are required to rule by the Word of God and particularly the Moral Law of God, Rom 13:1-10 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
If they fail to do so then it can be legitimately asked: what is the point of electing them in the first place if they acquiesce in or even push a secularist agenda?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)