Is history a boring subject to you? Did you have a history teacher in school that brings back memories of endless dates and facts, not related and connected? For me there was a history teacher in eighth grade named Mr. Miller. But this man made history come alive! I credit at least some of my… Read More Touring Through History
The final climatic scene of the latest blockbuster movie Star Wars:The Force Awakens. (For those that haven’t seen it yet, there are NO spoilers here-read on!) A 6th century monastery of the Celt church. What could they possibly have in common?? As I watched the movie’s last scene, thoroughly gripped with what was unfolding before… Read More What Does the Final Scene of the Latest Star Wars Movie and a 6th Century Celt Monastery Have in Common?
This week my wife and I went to a new movie about the life of Mother Teresa, The Letters. It’s surprising how little publicity it has received, but if you are in any place it is available, do go and see it, or watch it online at some point. It is well worth your time.… Read More Mother Teresa of Kolkata: A “Pencil in the Hands of God”
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
It was hidden in plain sight. For almost 1400 years, a leaning, frail looking tower-like structure had existed on a wind-swept hill. Fifty miles outside the Chinese city of Xian, the Da Qin pagoda is another living testament to the existence of Christianity in China in the 7th century. (For more on Xian and the… Read More Hidden in Plain Sight For Almost 1400 Years, Part 1
I was near Geneva on Saturday and woke to the news of the carnage in Paris the night before. We grieve with all those who lost loved ones, those who are forever changed by what they witnessed that night. So many questions, so much violence. Just a few days before I had been reading again… Read More The Paris Carnage: Father Forgive
One of my favorite global leaders is the Archbishop of the Church of England and Anglican Communion, Justin Welby. He is a voice of reason and moderation while holding strongly to his Christian faith. He is not afraid to listen and dialogue with those of other faiths, as evidenced again recently when he spoke at… Read More A More Beautiful Counter-Narrative than Radical Extremism
The question erupted into the news in the USA last week based in part on the comments of Dr. Ben Carson, one of many candidates of the Republican party. Could a Muslim serve as President? Reactions were swift and varied. The idea that having a believing Christian as President and therefore that having the pinnacle… Read More A Muslim President in the USA? What Can We Learn From Timothy of Baghdad, Part 2
As promised I will devote several posts from time to time on the history of the Church of the East. One of my personal heroes is the leader of the Church for many years in Asia, Timothy 1. He is perhaps one of the greatest mission-minded leaders in history. His death at the age of… Read More Who was Timothy I of Baghdad and Why Does He Matter Today? Part 1
Last week as I wandered the grounds of the largest religious complex in the world, Angkor Watt, there was a question in my mind. Why aren’t there more Indian tourists around? I saw many Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Europeans, but where were the Indians? After all, Indian tourists are all over next door Thailand, just a few hours… Read More Why Aren’t There More Indian Tourists at Angkor Watt?
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