Thank God that the gospel translates! I’m reminded of that on a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Below the church is a network of ancient caves that early Christians modified with walls and archways to serve as workspace and chapels. Pilgrims flock to the cave where, by ancient tradition, Christ was…
The American altar of human sacrifice
By a cliff-hanger vote—217 to 213—the United States House of Representatives on July 29 passed a ban on private ownership of assault weapons. The legislation would make it illegal to sell, manufacture, transfer, possess, or import assault weapons in the United States. God in heaven, why does any private citizen want or need such weapons…
Hail and fire mixed with blood
The first angel blew his trumpet, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were hurled upon the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up (Revelation 8:7). Three months ago, while visiting our…
Will the meek inherit Afghanistan?
Withdrawal of American and allied forces from Afghanistan is something Jesus saw coming. No, he did not specifically predict anything that is happening in the twenty-first century. But in his mountaintop manifesto by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus set out a paradigm of hope for the powerless in the face of empire: the meek will inherit the…
Stomp on your enemies
G7 leaders meet in Europe to lay strategy for keeping their global reach strong! China drives to overtake a receding American empire! Russia presses to recover its clout! Dominance–-economic, political and military–-is the name of this game, and always has been for empires. “Make America great again” in recent years was not a call for…
Woe to the self-serving shepherds!
The performance of the president of the United States and his enablers brings to mind what God said to the prophet Ezekiel about certain kings of ancient Israel: “Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel: . . . Ah, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep?…
Baby Jesus in the vaccine queue
Arrival of COVID-19 vaccines is wonderful news, but there is a sober side to the story: wealthy or influential individuals and nations will receive the life-giving protection first. CNN reports (December 9) that “Rich countries have bought enough Covid-19 vaccine doses to immunize their populations three times over . . . but developing countries are being…
Welcome the stranger
The late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said there are three great commandments in the Torah. Jews and Christians often quote the first two: love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. But too often we miss the third: love the stranger. At least thirty-six times the Hebrew scriptures instruct…
Demise of a corrupt ruler
During the misrule of Emperor Nero (AD 54-68), Paul wrote that everyone should be “subject” to governing authorities because they “have been instituted by God” for our good (Romans 13). Did Paul know how corrupt Emperor Nero had become? Ancient historian Suetonius gives details. Raised in privilege and given every educational opportunity, Nero became emperor…
The Word tabernacles among us
“Under stress, people regress,” a psychologist told me recently. We imagined that pandemic lockdowns and masks would last weeks, but now it’s been five months. Political debates become acrimonious, domestic violence increases. Some impatient people ignore pandemic safety guidelines, which will extend the misery for all of us and lead to more deaths. My (Zooming)…
Holy Lands Peace Pilgrim 