In the sandy streets of Khartoum, new graffiti scrawled messages of freedom, peace, and liberty, an echo of the dreams of the Sudanese youth in 2019. Back then, amidst the arid landscape of this bustling capital, hope blossomed in the desert. A people’s revolt backed by the military ousted President Omar Hassan al-Bashir who had been in power for three decades.
We no longer live in a world shaped by the assumptions of Christendom. This is a post-Christian era, and sadly we are seeing signs that we are in a post, post-Christian era. As followers of Jesus, we need to make virtue virtuous again, to be the good we long to see in the world.
Evangelicals can be too quick to dismiss theology emerging from another tradition, especially that led by Pope Leo XIV. However, by doing so we may miss wisdom that is highly applicable to all followers of Jesus. In the case of the recent encyclical, we do well to appreciate it's biblical view of humanity and pointing to Jesus Christ, because the possibility of a completely unregulated AI future is frightening.
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.
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.
The Archbishop of Canterbury warned Christians not to join far right groups after protests by extremists espousing faith imagery led to violent riots across the U.K. Writing in the left-leaning British newspaper the Guardian, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, head of the Anglican Communion, criticized the widely reported riots as “wrong”, “criminal” and needing to be controlled. He voiced his concerns about right wing groups referencing the Christian faith, even using icons during the lawlessness, as
Europeans are least likely to say that religion is very important in their lives, compared to other parts of the world, and only 42 percent of Americans claim that religion is personally crucial to them. Other parts of the world responded more affirmingly on the importance of religion, specifically within sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The picture was less clear in South and Southeast Asia, compared to the polarized views in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
The imposition of curfews in some states in Northern Nigeria has adversely affected Sunday worship and mid-week services, Christian leaders say. State authorities imposed curfews in major cities such as Jos, Kaduna, Zaria, Gusau, Dutse, Kano, Minna, and Damaturu, following the week-long cost of living nationwide protests that had been called by the civil society from August 1.
A leading evangelical organization in Canada is continuing to oppose the country’s euthanasia laws, which have seen thousands of legalized medically assisted deaths since 2016 and are on the verge of being expanded further. “People in vulnerable situations are ending their lives via MAiD because they feel they have no other choice – and some are pressured to do so,” stated the EFC.
The harmonic singing of hymns by Fiji's Olympic athletes, coaches, and staff during their worship gatherings in Paris' Olympic Village has captured hearts worldwide, going viral on social media. Australian water polo player Matilda Kearns, who was housed near the Oceania teams' building, shared the moving scenes on Instagram, showing the Fijian athletes gathered in worship on a Sunday afternoon.
Following earlier reports that excavations have uncovered a large limestone stone quarry, it has now been revealed that some slabs were likely taken to build a road used by Jesus and his disciples 2,000 years ago and in building projects commanded by King Herod the Great and his descendants, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
The latest episode of Faith Without Frontiers, aired this week, features a compelling conversation between host Gordon Roger-Showell and filmmaker and documentary producer Faten AlFaraj, whose award-winning film Life Jacket shines a light on the realities faced by refugees fleeing conflict, persecution, and displacement.
