I started reading Light Force: A Stirring Account of the Church Caught in the Middle East Crossfire, by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen. I read Secret Believers earlier last year, adored that wonderful text, and wanted to continue my engrossing studies into Christian interaction with Islam by reading through this one. I find myself walking through [...]
Whether or not you support the war, I think everyone wants our troops to come back home, and come back safe. On 4 March, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) forced congress to into a debate on whether or not to continue the war effort in Afghanistan. He introduced H. Con. Res. 248 which reads: Directing the President, pursuant [...]
The violence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria continues to rage. But, to say this is a conflict between Christians and Muslims isn’t telling the whole story. Eddie Arthur of Wycliffe UK wrote a very astute observation in his recent post, “The Situation in Nigeria.” Certainly, religion plays a huge part in the situation, but the [...]
In the first day of the class on Islam, I brought up the idea that Christianity is nonviolent. I was challenged with the story of Jesus cleansing the temple. Once again, this story was lofted to legendary heights, unknown even to the gospel writers, depicting a wrathful Jesus embodying the righteous violence that we disciples [...]
I know this question will continue to rear it’s head throughout the 12 remaining weeks of the class on Islam I am leading. Many scholars and theologians have tackled the question, debating with Muslims either in print or in public. Many responses have been made and are freely accessible to anyone willing to search them [...]
Words matter. What we say, what we recite, what we repeat. All of it matters. And the meaning behind the words we say matter just the same. For this reason a Christian must never deny Jesus, especially to save their own life. Many have said they would lie in the face of a life or death [...]
But she pointed to him [Isa]. They said: How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle? He said: Surely I am a servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me [...]
First in a series of quotations from the Qur'an as I prep each week for the Sunday morning Islam classes.
Ben Witherington III shared some thoughts on the inevitable question following a natural disaster. I add some quick, short thoughts of my own.
"Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab wouldn't have to go to an al Qaeda camp in Yemen to learn how to hate. He had examples closer to home. Christians and Muslims have been killing each other in Nigeria for much of his lifetime."
