A Sense of Belonging

Jordan Evangelicals Push for Official Recognition

This article was first published at Christianity Today on October 10. Evangelicals in Jordan have a new leader. They just don’t have anything official for him to lead yet. Five denominations, including Baptists, Assemblies of God, Evangelical Free, Nazarene, and Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) churches, met a month ago to elect Habes Nimat as … Continue reading →

Christians Killed on Syria’s Front Lines

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on October 11. Three Christians have been killed in Turkey’s assault on Kurdish-held areas in northeast Syria, reported In Defense of Christians (IDC), citing their sources on the ground. In Qamishli, a Syriac Christian and his wife died, while in Ras al-Ain an additional Syriac Christian civilian … Continue reading →

Syrian Christians to US: ‘Don’t Abandon Us Now’

This article was first published by Christianity Today on October 8. Not long after the defeat of the Islamic State in the area, Syrian Christians warn that US military withdrawal from the Kurdish-controlled region, announced yesterday by President Donald Trump, will expose them to danger. “The expected military invasion [by Turkey] and the possible confrontation … Continue reading →

Duke-UNC Middle East Studies Center Flagged for Anti-Christian Bias

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on September 27. Certain evangelicals have long complained about bias in American universities. The government may now be doing something about it, as Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos examines a prominent Middle East studies program for downplaying Christianity and other non-Muslim faiths. A three-page letter sent by … Continue reading →

In UN Speech, Trump Announces New Religious Freedom Initiatives

This article was first published at Christianity Today on September 23. Speaking before the United Nations today, President Trump praised the country’s religious freedom record and cited figures that suggest the rest of the world has much work to do, as he announced new funding to protect religious sites as well as business partnerships to … Continue reading →

Evangelicals Who Distrust Muslims Likely Don’t Know Muslims

This article was first published at Christianity Today on September 12. Earlier this week, a Baptist church in Michigan canceled an event titled, “9/11 Forgotten? Is Michigan Surrendering to Islam?” due to pushback from fellow Christians and politicians. The pastor of Bloomfield Hills Baptist Church identifies as an Islamophobe and organized the gathering because he … Continue reading →

When Islam is Not a Religion in America

This article was first published at Christianity Today on September 9. Is Islam a religion? This question is regularly posed by populists seeking to restrict Muslims in America. If Islam is not a religion—if it is a militant ideological system, for example—then some argue it is not subject to First Amendment protection. At stake is … Continue reading →

A Tale of Three Churches

This article was first published in the Summer 2019 print edition of Light magazine, produced by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. In January, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt stood side-by-side with Pope Tawadros II, patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Inaugurating the Cathedral of Nativity, the largest church in the Middle East, he … Continue reading →

Why Muslims Love Mary

This article was published in the July/August print edition of Christianity Today. Mohammed, a pious PhD student from Egypt, sat guardedly in the “Community of Reconciliation.” Invited by David Vidmar, director of coaching for Peace Catalysts International, the middle-aged Muslim seemed soured on the idea of interfaith exchange at his northern California university. Vidmar suspected … Continue reading →

From DC to Mecca, Should ‘Human Dignity’ Be the New ‘Religious Freedom’?

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on July 22, 2019. In his opening remarks at the second US Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed almost 1,000 participants from civil society and more than 100 invited foreign delegations. He challenged every major world religion and secular society—and also invited … Continue reading →

Should Christians Praise Partial Religious Freedom?

This article was first published in the June print edition of Christianity Today. …The tension over praising limited gains is also a factor in Uzbekistan, a Muslim-majority secular nation whose citizens have the right to convert but which the United States has designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) since 2006 over religious freedom violations. … Continue reading →

How Palestine Divides Messianic Jews

This article was first published in the May print edition of Christianity Today. Among Christians in America, Israel can be viewed as a fulfillment of prophecy, a democratic ally in a region of chaos, or an occupier oppressing stateless Palestinians. How to choose? Given that 2 out of 3 US evangelicals have a positive perception … Continue reading →

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 →