From Christianity Today, in an interview with Brother Andrew of Open Doors: Not long ago of course Osama bin Laden was assassinated, and the whole world rejoiced. Thousands have died in drone assaults. What is your response to such killing? I have been speaking in meetings in America, and part of my sermon was, “Have … Continue reading »
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Egyptian Christians Face the Future Under New Islamist Law
From my new article on Christianity Today, published December 28, 2012: Egyptian Christians spent this year’s Advent season awaiting more than the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Christmas Day dawned with Copts still processing the rushed passage of a new Islamist-backed constitution and its implications. Days before voting began on the hastily completed charter—which, despite only … Continue reading »
What Egypt’s Christians Think of Hastily Completed Constitution
From my recent article on Christianity Today: Addressing the nation in a televised interview Thursday, President Mohamed Morsi welcomed the sudden completion of Egypt’s draft constitution after months of gridlock. Amid public outcry against his decision last week to grant himself immunity from judicial review, Morsi praised the constitution’s speedy completion as a necessary step … Continue reading »
Egypt Erupts Again: Christians Resist Muslim Brotherhood President’s Power Grab
From my new article on Christianity Today: The recent deaths of two teenagers best communicate the situation in Egypt today. Gaber Saleh, a 16-year-old revolutionary activist, was killed in confrontations with police in Tahrir Square last Sunday. That same day, Islam Massoud, a 15-year-old Muslim Brotherhood member, was killed in clashes between supporters and opponents … Continue reading »
Egyptian Churches Give Up on Helping Create New Constitution
From my new article on Christianity Today: In another blow to Egypt’s democratic transition, representatives of the Muslim nation’s three main Christian bodies jointly decided to end their participation in writing a new constitution. “The constitution … in its current form does not meet the desired national consensus and does not reflect the pluralistic identity … Continue reading »
Can Egypt’s Christian Assistant President Get Democracy Back on Track?
Four and a half months into Mohamed Morsy’s presidency, much of Egypt’s democratic transition is still on hold. Parliament remains dissolved. A new constitution is still pending, beset by legal challenges. In this political limbo, Morsy has appropriated even more power than former dictator Hosni Mubarak enjoyed before the January 2011 revolution. However, alongside Morsy … Continue reading »
Tomorrow, God to Select the Next Coptic Orthodox Pope
While Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, Egyptian Christians are leaving this Sunday’s choice for their highest leader up to a higher power: God. On November 4, one of three final candidates will succeed Pope Shenouda III, the beloved “pope of the Bible” who died in March, as the 118th patriarch of … Continue reading »
Muslim Creativity Comes to Church in Alexandria
This article was first posted on Christianity Today on July 19, 2012. Alexandria, Egypt, was once a lighthouse for Christianity, emanating from the southern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Now it is a stronghold of the Muslim Brotherhood and the even more conservative Salafi Muslims. So a Christian opening a cultural center for Muslim and … Continue reading »
What Egyptian Christians Think about their New Islamist President
My article on Morsy’s victory was originally published at Christianity Today on June 25, 2012. In the most democratic elections since 1952, the people of Egypt have freely chosen their leader. And for the first time in history, that leader is a native-born Islamist. Mohamed Morsy of the Muslim Brotherhood captured 51 percent of the … Continue reading »
Write-Ups in the Run-Up to the Run-Off
Egyptians vote today, but I am having trouble deciding if I wish or am able to make a prediction (especially after the last disaster). I think probably I will, but my mind is still spinning from recent events, so in all likelihood I’ll wait until tomorrow and gauge the mood after day one. In the … Continue reading »
How MB-Evangelical Dialogue Began
On February 28, 2012 the leaders of the Evangelical Churches of Egypt met with the Muslim Brotherhood, and produced a document delineating the shared values of both organizations. About a month ago I posted the text of this agreement online. Today, my article was published on Christianity Today, drawing out from leaders on both sides … Continue reading »
Christianity Today on Pope Shenouda
Just a short post today to direct to the article I contributed to Christianity Today on why the death of Pope Shenouda is also mourned by Egypt’s Protestants. If you click on the link above today you will see it highlighted as the lead story. Afterwards, please click here for the permanent link. I hope … Continue reading »
