In the past few weeks, we have seen two worlds collide. And I’m not sure that most people noticed. Ironically, they both took place in Russia. Now, I must preface this post by reminding us that despite our most noble intentions our thoughts and opinions are not as objective as we would like to think. Consequently, our convictions regarding these two worlds are colored by a variety of factors. What I hope to do, within my limited capacities, is to... Read more
Several years ago, I was in the home of Roni Keidar. Roni is an Israeli who lives less than one mile from the border of Gaza. As we indulged in Roni’s hospitality, we sat in her living room and listened. NB: See this YouTube video made by Roni a few weeks ago. Roni spoke of her experiences living so close to Gaza. She noted that rockets fired from Gaza had landed in her front yard. She told us that on... Read more
“The biggest problem facing the seven churches [of the book of Revelation] was Babylon. And the biggest problem we still face in our churches today is Babylon” (McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation, 50). I recently watched a documentary that described conditions in a country during the 43-year reign of a brutal dictatorship. The narrator begins, “Imagine that you and your family live in one of the poorest regions of the world. . . . And two or three times you... Read more
Is it possible that America’s foreign interventions have served the aims of America’s politicians and its major corporations more than it has served the interests of the American people? NB: This post has been edited for the accuracy of its content. NB: After the 1972 earthquake in Nicaragua, the US gave Samosa $57million in emergency aid. The Nicaraguan national treasury only reported $16million. Samosa apparently kept $41million. The IMF gave Samosa another $65million. Most of this money went to Samosa.... Read more
Well, they did it—though I don’t believe this is something to be celebrated. Israel has officially inflicted 20 times more casualties on Gaza than the damnable attack of Oct 7 leveled on Israel. According to Al Jazeera, the death toll in Gaza has now exceeded 25,000. This, of course, does not include the 8,000+ that are missing—likely dead—under the rubble. Nor does it account for the 62,000+ that are injured. But death does not even begin to address the human... Read more
The International Court of Justice has issued its ruling on the South African charge that Israel’s war on Gaza is on its way to genocide. One of the more common mistakes in the reporting on this case has to do with the actual charge. The claim is often made that in order to prove genocide one must be able to determine Israel’s “intent.” It is argued that since “intent” is hard to prove, the claim of genocide is baseless. The... Read more
The Pax Romana (~27 BC-AD 180). Did you know that the Roman Peace was established by bloodshed? What Rome called peace meant slavery, rape, devastation, and even death for virtually everyone else. In chapter 3 of The Business of War, Myles Werntz argues that one of the reasons why Achan (see Joshua 7) was punished by God was because he took the spoils of war in order to profit personally. Werntz contends, “The wealth gained cannot be for one’s private... Read more
In my last post, I began a look at the war on Gaza from the context of the business of war. NB: See my post from Dec 8, 2023 “Challenging the Church to be the Church in a time of war.” (If you haven’t read that post, please do so before finishing this post). My bottom line: inflicting war and violence is the way the nations operate and it is antithetical to the way of Christ and what it means... Read more
As we enter a new year, a year that is certain to be contentious as the American political scene begins to gear up, I would like to suggest that perhaps the best thing the Church can do is to get back to the root of the Gospel call of radical discipleship. I have argued that war begets war and violence begets violence. This is my paraphrase of Jesus’, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take... Read more
As Christians around the world celebrate the birth of our King, many struggle with what are thought to be compromised expressions, “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Xmas.” I can still hear my mom (God rest her soul) mumbling, “They are taking ‘Christ’ out of Christmas.” No, mom, they are not! As text messages to family, friends, and colleagues are sent on this Christmas day, I want to asure you that “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Xmas” is not only acceptable but very... Read more
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