As 2018 passed into 2019, I found myself thinking about how to pray for matters on a global scale. Having had some time to ruminate on it now, I’d like to share some of my thoughts with you. There is always a reason for hope for those in Christ. God, through His Son, has not only given us assurance of “good things to come” but also called us to actively participate with Him in reconciling this world to Him through Christ. The least a believer can do is pray for the poor and hurting in our … [Read more...]
Living by the Flood Waters: Life, Death, and Hope in the Midst of Chaos
This month, the Indian state of Kerala received massive rainfall. The subsequent floods displaced 1.3 million people. The experience has left many, including me, shaken yet hopeful. India’s southernmost state, Kerala is famous for its monsoon rains. Rain-bearing clouds from the Indian and Arabian oceans ravage the land every year. They make it a lush, green, tropical paradise. The entire state is separated from its neighboring state by the famous Western Ghats mountain range. These … [Read more...]
Church and Climate Change — Love Thy Neighbor, With Truth
The Christian church worldwide has always sought to improve people's welfare. It has been the forerunner for justice and freedom. That is understandable, because Jesus demands that we love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). How then, in light of the best scientific and historical knowledge, ought the church to respond to climate change? How do we love our neighbors when it comes to global warming? Loving our neighbors doesn't stop with sending roses or being polite to them. We … [Read more...]
Christianity in the Land of Hinduism and Buddhism
According to census data from 2011, there are 27 million Christians in India, which constitutes 2.3 percent of the 1.3 billion population. But what is life like for these Christians? With me today is Vijay Jayaraj, the Research Associate for Developing Countries for the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation to tell us more about Christianity in India. … [Read more...]
The Apostle Thomas and the Beginning of the Christian Church in India
Tradition holds that Christianity was brought to India by one of Jesus’ Apostles. It has a long and interesting history within that country. … [Read more...]
Alley Sheep at the El Station
Thinking back on the Cornwall Alliance’s 25 Days of Prayer for the Environment and the Poor, reminded me of some work I did in 2010. As a church planter in Evanston, Illinois, I led our folks to serve as “alley sheep” (as opposed to alley cats) in the lanes beside and behind the downtown restaurants. Dumpsters were overflowing with offenses to eye and nose, and we ventured to clean things up as both a service to the community and a witness to the gospel. Sporting our theme T-shirts, we raked … [Read more...]
Good Stewards, Good Samaritans
The environment is again an important election issue. Some candidates have claimed religious support for their views, but there is no single “Christian” perspective on the environment. It is a question of fact and prudence, not theology. We all have a stake in a healthy environment. God gave humanity dominion over the earth and called us to be good stewards of his creation. But he gave us no particular policy agenda. Rather, we must work together to balance environmental protection, economic … [Read more...]
