Traditional churches in China tend to serve a context where poverty and need are typical and the desire for communal support and directive leadership is welcome. China's large upwardly mobile and independent population doesn't need what these traditional churches are offering. A different gospel approach and new forms of church must emerge to meet different needs in rapidly changing urban contexts.
Compassion is unquestionably a Christian virtue. But sometimes, good words like compassion get hijacked by not-so-good ideas—euthanasia is a case in point. "Medical assistance in dying" is becoming increasingly accepted in the Western world under the guise of compassion (and other euphemisms) informed by radical ideologies of individual autonomy. Followers of Jesus have a very different perspective.
FOMO (The Fear of Missing Out) erodes our joy. It edits God out of our moments. J.John tells of an experience at a Greek vacation venue where he learned that choosing the "half-board" accommodation rate came at a cost, and it was one that provided him with a valuable spiritual lesson—one we can all learn from.
The creators of AI companions have found a large market for their algorithmic personifications among lonely people seeking emotional advice and more. It is a wide open gateway for unhealthy dependency as increasingly isolated individuals seek intimate relationships without the hard work and hazards involved with human interpersonal interactions. Alexia Georghiou explains why this falls short.
The continent of Africa looks different depending on which calculations you choose to make a three dimensional reality into a two dimensional representation, and the choice is largely determined by who is in charge and what narrative they wish to portray. The African Union has decided it is time to take charge and give the world a better perception of the African continent. Jim Olang hopes this will help lift African confidence in the wider world.
Good habits and great values are modeled to children by their parents. Working alongside a parent or older guardian can be a great way to enable values—and faith—transfer. Labor Day is an ideal time to discuss work with children. Here are some ideas to get the conversation started with children you know.
Franklin Graham's association with US President Donald Trump has created unease among some Evangelicals in Belgium who are opposing a planned Festival of Hope event in collaboration with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
According to the late Eugene Peterson, an unbusy person may be highly productive but his or her attitude is such that there is always time to care for others and develop fruit that will last. This is both a subversive act in our day and age and a testimony to our apocalyptic hope.
In today's hyper connected environment it has become easy to vilify someone for wrong doing, to cancel them. Praise God for his grace and the redemptive power of the gospel that invites people to change. Former slave trader, John Newton exemplifies this and now a large part of the world can sing the song he penned from his experience.
The K-Pop Demon Hunters phenomenon is spreading like wildfire. The light animated fantasy film with its catchy K-Pop music and classic mythical narrative is a contemporary redemptive analogy able to open the door for gospel conversations. For this contributor it also shone a light on excessively puritanical theologies and reminded her of the goodness of God's love for her.
Archbishop and Professor Thomas Paul Schirrmacher, a leading Evangelical theology scholar, religious liberty advocate, and a senior Evangelical in relationship with several popes, provides us with his perspective on Pope Leo XIV after the pope's 100 days in office and Shirrmacher's most recent visit with Pope Leo at the Vatican.
Consider the bees and how they work together to ensure that they thrive. So it is with our Christian life. We need one another in order to thrive in our walk with Jesus. In an era of increasing individualism and correlated loneliness we do well to remember that we are all part of one body, never meant to be living, working, or ministering alone. Without others clustering close to us and us to them in supportive mutuality, the world can be a cold and threatening place.
