Peacemaking – Page 3

Should Christians join Violent Protests?

Iran welcomed the new year with violent protests leaving many dead. In many other nations such as Iraq, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Bangladesh, South Africa and Ukraine, frustrations with corrupt, abusive and unjust governments have sparked angry riots. Christian citizens of these nations often feel all the pain that others feel—and sometimes more. In these cases, isContinue reading “Should Christians join Violent Protests?”

Should Pope Francis be more Critical of Islam?

When Pope Francis stated in his Evangelii Gaudium (paragraphs 252 and 253) that “authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence,” he received a backlash from ex-Muslims. They responded with a letter to the Pope signed by 3700 former Muslims requesting that the Pope speak out more harshlyContinue reading “Should Pope Francis be more Critical of Islam?”

Reaping in the New Year

Tom Brady didn’t decide at age 38 that he’d better eat healthy foods and work out more if he hoped to play football into his 40’s. He’s been doing it for years. While other athletes’ careers are being shortened by a carousing nightlife, Tom usually has dinner with his family, reads his kids a goodnightContinue reading “Reaping in the New Year”

“Baton Packs a Punch”

I was greatly encouraged to read this recent review of my writing on Amazon. The reviewer, Carolyn Klaus, kindly permitted me to post it here on my blog as well. Enjoy! I just finished A Way Out of Hell. Wow. It is a tightly woven thriller that has haunted me, day and night, since IContinue reading ““Baton Packs a Punch””

International Day of Peace — And a Special Offer

The United Nations has declared this Thursday, September 21, as an International Day of Peace. The theme this year is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” Special attention will be directed toward displaced peoples. UN Secretary-General António Guterres offers this exhortation: “In times of insecurity, communities that look different become convenient scapegoats. We must resist cynical effortsContinue reading “International Day of Peace — And a Special Offer”

The Circle of Compassion

“Johnny’s” obvious skin disease meant the other kids usually kept their distance. The fact that he was mentally a bit slow, and had dropped out of school to scavenge trash he could resell to support his family, didn’t help him in making friends either. But neither of these disadvantages could keep this teenager from fallingContinue reading “The Circle of Compassion”

Another Award for A Violent Light

I’m happy to announce that A VIOLENT LIGHT has picked up its third award–the 2017 Global Ebooks Gold Medal for Best Religious Fiction. Though the issues I address in the book are not easy for many American Christians to hear, the recent heightened tensions in Charlottesville, Virginia, remind us that White Supremacy is alive andContinue reading “Another Award for A Violent Light”

Leaving One’s Culture for Jesus, or Bringing Jesus into One’s Culture?

Does following Jesus mean someone should leave his culture behind, or should he instead bring Jesus into his culture? I pondered this question while reading this week the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi writes about an experience in his youth, when he had friends from various Hindu sects, Jains, Muslims, but not Christians: “I developedContinue reading “Leaving One’s Culture for Jesus, or Bringing Jesus into One’s Culture?”

The Atheist Muslim

“The left is wrong on Islam. The right is wrong on Muslims.” This tweet by Ali Rizvi, author of the new book The Atheist Muslim: A Journey from Religion to Reason, was followed up by an interview with Vox that was one of the most honest, objective, insightful discussions of modern Islam I’ve read in a long time.Continue reading “The Atheist Muslim”