Israeli scholars say their research affirms the destruction of a biblical city — the conquest of Gath by King Hazael of Aram detailed in the Second Book of Kings — using a novel technology that measures magnetic fields in burnt bricks. This innovative study seemingly validates the biblical account of the destruction of the Philistine city of Gath by Hazael, king of Aram, as depicted in 2 Kings 17:17.
The rise of Artificial General Intelligence is now unstoppable. It is not an overstatement to say that it is transforming life on earth as humans know it. No sphere of human interaction is immune, least of all the religious sector. Now, more than ever, we need to be spiritually discerning about AI/AGI use in our faith walk. Let us take care not put our trust in something that has neither heart nor soul.
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.
When life gets knotted, we often ask, ‘How on earth do I unravel this?’ The ancient world called this a Gordian Knot. While knots can be undone with brute force, followers of Jesus have numerous ways to unravel complex situations with scripture and the Holy Spirit's guidance. Here is some advice to help lead you forward.
India’s famed Emperor Ashoka was an ancient convert from Hinduism to Buddhism. He demonstrated that a person is NOT forced by others to convert from one religion to another. Today, “religious conversions are forced,” is the flawed premise of all anti-conversion laws of India. Who could have forced mighty Emperor Ashoka to change his religion? The Emperor’s famous religious conversion was his choice.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes announced that more than 51,000 decisions for Christ were made at the youth organization’s various gatherings in fiscal year 2023. The prominent Christian student group said in a news release that 51,730 faith decisions were made at its various events held from September 2022 to August 2023.
A recent investigation in Spain revealed more than 200,000 endured sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy. The 700-page report, ordered by Spain's Congress, unveils the “devastating impact” on victims, criticizing the Church for its inaction and attempts to conceal or deny the abuse. Is the situation different in Africa? Child Safety Investigator Philip E. Morrison says no.
The Methodist Church in Great Britain released an "Inclusive Language Guide" this month advising Methodists to avoid using gendered terms such as "husband" and "wife" because such allegedly assumes what is not "the reality for many people."
This year the Church of England's General Synod backed prayers of blessing for same-sex couples and they were permitted for use in services for the first time on December 17. Christian Today speaks to Rev John Dunnett, National Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), about the Church of England's new same-sex prayers and what they might mean for the future of evangelicals in the Church.
In September 2023, Kenya’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner issued fines totaling KES 9,375,000 (more than $60,000 USD) to three institutions for contravening the Data Protection Act. The highest penalty (more than $30,000 USD) went to an educational facility for using minors’ pictures without consent from parents or guardians. These were the first penalties given since the law came into effect in 2019.
Through an interview published online on December 15, Religion Unplugged illuminated the integral role Christian groups undertake in grappling with India's mental health challenges. In the heart of Delhi, Nitin Kumar, a 22-year-old student, faced the darkest chapter of his life during the second wave of the pandemic—losing both parents. The ensuing mental health struggle led him to contemplate ending his own life. Yet, salvation arrived in an unexpected form—the mental healthcare services offere
A documentary about the suffering of evangelical Christians in Ukraine shows how one objective of the Russian invasion is to degrade Christianity, including allowing Chechen Muslims to partially Islamize occupied areas.
