A Sense of Belonging

Cinema of God: Muslims Memorialize Augustine

This article was first published in the April print edition of Christianity Today. The students at Wheaton College were surprised: Wait, Saint Augustine was African? Shown the international award-winning Augustine: Son of Her Tears for a freshman seminar that reads his Confessions, they witnessed history brought to life beyond the text, said Sarah Miglio, dean … Continue reading →

Sri Lankan Sunday School Was ‘Willing to Die for Christ’ on Easter. Half Did.

This article was originally published at Christianity Today, on April 25, 2019. In most Sunday schools, the question is an academic exercise. “How many of you are willing to die for Christ?” asked the teacher on Easter morning. Every one of the children dutifully raised their hands. A few minutes later, the Sri Lankan class … Continue reading →

Pew: US Christians Like the Israeli and Palestinian People More Than Their Governments

This article was originally published at Christianity Today, on April 24, 2019. When it comes to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, do American evangelicals favor one side or the other? Research Center finds one-third actually feel favorable toward both—when it comes to their peoples. And one-third feel unfavorable toward both governments. Politico Magazine recently profiled Telos, … Continue reading →

Arab Spring Again? Christians in Sudan and Algeria Cheer Regime Change

This article was originally published at Christianity Today, on April 18. …early signs are promising. On April 10, one day before Bashir’s arrest, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) leading protests put out a call for Christian participation, acknowledging “you have suffered sectarian and psychological restrictions for years … [which have left you] without the right … Continue reading →

Will Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’ on Israel-Palestine Please Evangelicals?

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on April 12, 2019. When it comes to Israel, nearly all evangelicals hold dear the biblical maxim: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. But what does it mean after a fiercely contested election? President Donald Trump will soon propose his vision of practical exegesis. Two years in … Continue reading →

Judeo-Christian Politics… in Israel?

This article was first published at Christianity Today on April 11, 2019. In one of the most tightly contested Israeli elections in years, Benjamin Netanyahu appears poised to remain prime minister. His Likud party is projected to win 35 seats in the 120-member parliament, the Knesset, tied with challenger Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party; … Continue reading →

How to Grow in the Grief of Childhood Transition

There is loss in leaving, and adults come to know it quickly. Experienced overseas workers learn how to make immediate friendships, grieve good-byes, and move on to the next wave of arrivals. There is a cycle, and most of us are transient. You get used to it. But children get their hearts broken. As they … Continue reading →

US Catholics Now as Concerned About Persecution as Climate Change

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on March 22. American Catholics are growing more concerned about the fate of the world—and with it, Christian persecution. More than 9 in 10 now identify persecution as either “very” or “somewhat” severe. This is roughly the same percentage as an identical poll last year, both sponsored … Continue reading →

How Should Christians Respond to Christchurch Mosque Massacre?

This article was first published at Christianity Today on March 18, 2019. Last Friday, Muslim worshipers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, suffered a terrorist attack at the hands of an avowed white supremacist. 50 people were killed, with another 50 injured. Prior to the attack, the citizen of Australia posted a lengthy manifesto … Continue reading →

A Royal Pickle: Jordanian Evangelicals and American ‘Help’

The pastor of the Amman International Church in Jordan had a problem. Suspected intelligence agents were coming to church, asking questions, and attending Bible studies. His youth pastor was detained at the Israeli-Jordan border and denied reentry. Members of his church, some who had lived for years in Jordan, were suddenly denied visas. “Politically speaking, … Continue reading →

Forty Years Later, House Churches Threaten Iran’s Islamic Revolution

This article was originally published at Christianity Today, on February 14. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians flooded streets nationwide on Monday, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Not present were dozens of Christians with no freedom of movement. “For 40 years, the Iranian government has harbored an intolerant view towards Christianity,” … Continue reading →

$1.4 Million Templeton Prize Celebrates the Jihad of Religion and Politics

At the November 13 award ceremony of the 2018 Templeton Prize for contribution to the spiritual dimension of life, Rev. Randolph Hollerith, dean of the illustrious National Cathedral in Washington, DC, invoked one political leader to pay homage to another. “The struggle for peace and mutual understanding is truly God’s work,” he said, calling attention … Continue reading →

Francis of Arabia: Will UAE’s Warm Welcome Help Christians Feel More at Home?

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on Feb. 6, 2019. Pope Francis must love creating cognitive dissonance. This week, he became the first Catholic pontiff to ever visit the Arabian Peninsula, the heart of Islam, where conversion to Christianity is illegal. Francis lauded his hosts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying they … Continue reading →

Should Christians Quote Muhammad?

This article was first published in the January print edition of Christianity Today. Christians breathed a sigh of relief last October when Pakistan’s Supreme Court acquitted Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five on death row, of blasphemy charges against Islam. What many might not have noticed was the Islamic rationale. Whether or not she … Continue reading →

From Russia, Without Love: Ukraine Marks Orthodox Christmas with Biggest Schism Since 1054

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on January 6, 2019. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine has been born again. On January 6, it received the tomos of autocephaly—the documentation of its independence among Eastern church bodies—from one Orthodox heavyweight, the Patriarch of Constantinople, despite the vociferous opposition of another heavyweight, the Patriarch of … Continue reading →

Covenantal Theology: Can Muhammad’s Ancient Promise Inspire Muslim-Christian Peace Today?

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on December 21. Christians esteem the biblical progression of covenants—Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic—finalized by Jesus as he ushered in the New. But for the sake of religious freedom in the Muslim world, should they embrace a further covenant: Muhammadian? Recent scholarship suggests the potential promise, newly fulfilled in … Continue reading →

O Come, Ye Gazan Christians, to Bethlehem

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on December 20. Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity has restored its sparkling mosaics and marble columns to their original glory for the first time in 600 years. “It has become such a beautiful church,” Ziad al-Bandak, head of the local project committee of Christian leaders, told the … Continue reading →

Jesus’ Baptism Site is a Minefield to Navigate. Literally.

This article was originally published at Christianity Today on December 19. For fifty years, John baptized Jesus in private. But last week on the western bank of the Jordan River, landmines were cleared to allow visitors a first look at a faded fresco of the baptism in a crumbling Ethiopian monastery. Trudging through mud while … Continue reading →

Egypt Approves 168 More Churches

This article was published at Christianity Today on December 17. Egyptian Christians now have an additional 168 legal church buildings. On November 30, a cabinet committee approved the requests of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic churches to formally register facilities long functioning as centers of worship. Prior to a new law passed in August … Continue reading →

The Cost of Religious Freedom

This article was originally published on September 20, 2018, and in the October issue of Christianity Today. This article expands my previous coverage of Andrew Brunson and the US-Turkish crisis to include also issues related to advocacy for Christians in Iran. Why did advocacy succeed for the drug dealers but not the pastor? And what … Continue reading →