James 1:27 calls us to look after orphans and widows in their distress. It is a very clear and direct command repeated across scripture. But what if the way we have been expressing that love, however well-intentioned, has sometimes caused harm? The World Evangelical Alliance has released a statement on this matter for International Children's Day (June 1).
As mass demonstrations blend Christian imagery with nationalist politics, questions grow concerning how Christians should respond to Christian nationalism. But the issue has more to do with elements of faith aligned with politics more than competing theological interpretations. Peter Lynas wonders if the latest UK shifts are a new expression of an old problem.
The Hindu nationalist organization, widely regarded as the ideological backbone of India’s ruling party, has launched an international outreach campaign aimed at countering growing criticism over its role in religious persecution and sectarian violence. It can try to dodge, but it cannot hide the robust and verified experience of Indian Christians.
For many Christians, the idea of partnering with God has been narrowed to a familiar set of categories: church work, evangelism, discipleship, and the saving of souls. All of these matter deeply. But the biblical vision of God’s mission and our vocations is far larger than that. We need a bigger perspective: a shalom view.
It is widely understood that Nepal has a rapidly growing Christian population. As it starts to stabilize and mature, the Church in Nepal is seeking official status and protections for their many congregations. The Nepal Christian Grand Trust now provides a pathway for official recognition, while theological, spiritual, and practical leadership development remains an urgent need.
The suffering of women and children often hides in plain sight, but they are not created for silence, fear, exploitation, abandonment, or shame. They are created with dignity, worth, courage, and humanity. Dr Winnie Fung is championing a wholistic approach to elevating the vulnerable and alleviating their suffering, with the local church integrally involved.
A new federation of churches in India has been launched to help protect church assets from being taken under amended laws giving authorities new powers that will negatively affect Christian witness. But the new group is already mired in controversy, for which groups it includes and which have been excluded.
Jesus said, "Peace I give to you, but not as the world gives" and in one way or another every human being expresses a longing for real peace. Here is a prayer in three parts that can lead anyone to the peace that Christ offers those who trust in him. There is a cost however. We need to surrender to find peace that lasts.
From Romans 12:1 we are encouraged not to conform to the pattern of this world. The transformation of a renewed mind brings freedom we never knew existed, but it takes personal humility and submission to the one who has the power to forgive, sanctify, justify, and redeem us from captivity to our aspects of our culture that perpetuate immaturity.
In Yemen, there are few churches left to burn, few congregations able to gather openly, and few Christian leaders who can speak publicly without endangering themselves or others. The persecution of Christians in Yemen is so complete that it has made them disappear from the world’s view.
Migrating to another country carries with it many kinds of trauma, which need to be properly processed on the pathway to good mental health. Scripture maps that pathway well in various ways, perhaps no more succinctly than passing through the waters, where God promises to be present for those who look to him.
The relationship between Christians and Zionism in the Holy Land is a dissonant one. While Zionists are willing to relate to Christian Zionists for their multifaceted support, Jewish religious leaders find the end-times theology of Christian Zionism deeply uncomfortable. Add Palestinians into the mix and the reality becomes very complex.
