Yes, here I am. At one of the wonders of the world. Not just from late 8th century China, but from any century. Last week I stood again in front of the ‘Nestorian Stele’, an over 10 foot tall monument filled with the history of the Church of the East in China from their arrival… Read More A Wonder of the 8th century World
It must have been a stark and stunning image that September day in 1287: Edward I, the King of England, kneeling to receive communion from Rabban Sauma, an Asian Church of the East leader. Sent from a Mongol ruler named Arghun from the capital near modern day Beijing, (and with overall Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan’s… Read More Power Reversal: A 13th century Asian Christian leader gives Holy Communion to the King of England
Where did the three ‘Wise Men’ that presented gifts to baby Jesus come from? And after, to where did they return? We can’t of course be sure of an answer, or even of their definite identities. The Biblical account in Matthew 2:1 says that “when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days… Read More Where did the Wise Men come from? And go back to?
A movie is coming out in global release in the next few weeks. It will be disturbing, and should be one that causes deep thought. It is titled simply Silence, and is based on a novel of the same name by Japanese writer Shusako Endo. It is always a risk to recommend a movie you… Read More Silence: The End of Triumphalism
What does the campaign of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and 7th century Chinese Christianity have in common? Not much. Except the fact that there is a world beyond Trump, beyond the bombastic rhetoric and the chasms of fear and racism some of his comments have opened. For many people living in the USA (Republicans… Read More A World Beyond Trump: Hidden in Plain Sight for 1400 Years, Part 2
This week I received the good news from Regnum Press that my proposal to revise and publish my thesis as a book has been accepted! I now have a contract and start the long and winding road of revision. After a sometimes tortuous odyssey that resulted in a thesis of 275 pages and 102,000 words,… Read More From Thesis to Book: The Journey Begins
An Invitation to Pause, Encounter & Grow Together.
a global story
learning life and leadership in Thailand
Our Journey Into Justice, Compassion, and Action
IFES Secretary for Dialogue and Social Engagement
WordPress.com is the best place for your personal blog or business site.
Thoughts From a Resident Alien
COMMUNICATING ACROSS BOUNDARIES
Thinking Christianly about the American Past
Encounters of Faith in Asia: Past, Present and Future 