By David Marshall Christians who seek a deep understanding of Islam, and who hope to relate in authentically Christian ways to Muslims, will soon become aware of various challenges. In these reflections I suggest that Christian engagement with Muslims needs to be characterized by intelligence, humility, and confidence: intelligence that avoids stereotypes and shows respect for … [Read more...] about An Agenda for Christian Engagement with Muslims
Opinion
Opinion: Kenya Refugee Expulsions Unconscionable
By Joseph Wandera Amid a global Covid-19 pandemic, the government of Kenya has once again threatened to shut down two huge refugee camps in Dadaab and Kakuma, northern Kenya. This threat comes as billions across the world stay at home, afraid for their lives and futures. The decision, if implemented, will have grave humanitarian consequences for some of the neediest … [Read more...] about Opinion: Kenya Refugee Expulsions Unconscionable
Prayers for a New Beginning
An Editorial Just hours before these words were written, Joseph R. Biden Jr. stood in front of the temple of democracy and was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Everything about the day seemed to reinforce that this was the end of one era and the start of another — for better or worse, depending on one’s perspective. As Donald Trump was taking off on Air … [Read more...] about Prayers for a New Beginning
Presiding Bishop Calls for Prayer and Fasting for America
By Egan Millard Episcopal News Service Read Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s 2020 Lenten message and you may notice something different from previous years. For one thing, the tone is noticeably solemn, with phrases like “profound division,” “genuine crisis of national character” and “great national concern and urgency.” But there’s also an invitation from Curry to … [Read more...] about Presiding Bishop Calls for Prayer and Fasting for America
Face the Realities of Evil and Sin
The Rev. Frederick Schmidt writes on his weblog, What God Wants for Your Life, about responses to recent murders: I am never quite sure what to make of Christian leaders and teachers who say that “they are shocked” at something like the murders in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or that they “no longer recognize our country.” As a window into anger and … [Read more...] about Face the Realities of Evil and Sin
A Garden for the Poor
Kelly Zegers reports for The Suffolk Times on Long Island: In recent weeks, those taking note of the American flag truck on County Route 48 that marks the location of Treiber Farms in Southold have likely also seen, just yards away, the Rev. Roger Joslin working with volunteers to create a new garden. They’re involved in the Common Ground project, building a garden meant to … [Read more...] about A Garden for the Poor
Epistle from Camp Allen
Bishop George Sumner of Dallas reflects on the House of Bishops’ most recent meeting at Camp Allen: 1: A group called “Reveal” studies the spiritual vitality of congregations of various denominations, including our own. The results were sobering, but the key point, and the more hopeful one, is that renewal of congregations may be correlated with the following: beginning with … [Read more...] about Epistle from Camp Allen
Reconciliation and Christian Faith
The Rt. Rev. Jeff W. Fisher, Suffragan Bishop of Texas, writes about the National Day of Reconciliation: I don’t really like reconciliation. Reconciliation requires me to make an effort. Yet Jesus asks me to put in the effort and work to be reconciled to people, people who sometimes drive me crazy. I didn’t know that there was such a thing as a National Day of Reconciliation, … [Read more...] about Reconciliation and Christian Faith