Articles by Eddie Arthur
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As Christian Nationalism supports brute force and the application of power locally and globally, Palm Sunday presents a reality check for true followers of Jesus. His example is ours to follow, not the example of Constantine. Jesus' triumph, in contrast, was subversive; one of humility, compassion, and grief for those abused by the misuse of power. Only Jesus' way leads to resurrection. -
A tale of twin apocalyptic visions and the appropriate Christian response
The war between Iran and Israel/United States, can be framed as a pursuit of two very different end-times perspectives. One from Evangelical Christianity (USA), the other from Shiite Muslim theology (Iran). Both envision the return of a messiah figure to rule the world. Jesus, however, did not call us to precipitate the end, that is the Father's prerogative. We are to love God and our neighbor, and this must remain our focus. -
Theology is the answer, but are we afraid to ask the right questions?
Christians must learn to do theology well in our rapidly changing contexts. Theology is not simply recalling and repeating doctrine or dogma. It is a living context-sensitive way of approaching life’s big questions. We all need to do the hard work of applying our best understanding of God's purposes revealed in the whole of scripture to new contexts in new ways. -
Christians shouldn't give Israel a free pass
It is too easy for Christians to conflate the modern State of Israel with the biblical nation of Israel/Judah, and turn a blind eye to gross injustice and extreme cruelty. The Bible calls out and condemns many nations for the atrocities they commit. The modern State of Israel is no more an exception today than it was when God disciplined them in the Bible with exile. Christian would do well to remember this. -
Christian belief in God's will too easily leads to abuse
The outside world views Christian sanctification rituals with increasing suspicion as manipulative and (in the extreme) abusive. Here, commentator Eddie Arthur reflects on a recent exposé of practices common to many missionary organizations that are perceived to be unhealthy. Organization leaders need to be prepared for unwelcome criticism from without and within. -
Easter time reminds us of what power has always looked like
Among many other things, Easter is an opportunity to reflect on Jesus' relationship to political power. Modern readers of the Gospels and Epistles too easily miss the political significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. Far from leaning into and leveraging political and imperial power, Jesus and his followers are called to righteously and justly subvert it for God's glory alone. -
Beware of weaponizing Christianity against immigrants and denying the reality and meaning of the gospel
Are we seeing the emergence of a new age of crusaders who think Christian nationalism is something to defend for God's sake? Eddie Arthur believes it is not at all appropriate. He goes on to argue that immigration is not the source of problems in the UK context, but it is the source of the revival of Christianity in the nation. In Christ, our eternal future is a multi-ethnic reality not a nationalistic pipe dream.
