Two persistent themes emerge from the Middle East.
Prince Charles - an often underestimated, consistently thoughtful figure. "For 20 years," he said in a recent speech, "I have tried to build bridges between Islam and Christianity and to dispel ignorance and misunderstanding. The point though, surely, is that we have now reached a crisis where the bridges are rapidly being deliberately destroyed by those with a vested interest in doing so." Here
First: Ancient Christian Communities are being destroyed (Nestorian, Coptic, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant - all the way around).
Second: No body seems to care. Follow these stories and see what you think. (I could multiply these stories with incidents from many other countries in the region.)
Egypt: Here
Iraq: Here
Iran: Here
Nigeria: Here
Beatings + burning homes + loss of jobs + prison + death = persecution.
How should these Christians respond?
How should / can Christians of any tradition in the West respond?
An Anglican bishop from The Gambia probably says it best - Forgive, as Jesus forgave those who persecuted him. Here (Perhaps this Christian leader's gentle words indicate why the Christian faith is spreading throughout the developing world so quickly. Hint: Christian character in face of hardships.)
Part of his Christmas message: Jesus’ greeting of peace is associated with him showing them his wounds. Peace invariably comes at a great cost. Despite the appalling cruelty he had experienced, Jesus was able to forgive his torturers and executioners. Indeed, he was able to plead with God for their forgiveness.
Such forgiveness is exceptional. True forgiveness does not come easily, and does not even recall past wrongs – however awful these may be. I firmly believe it comes only as a gift from God. This in turn allows the peace and joy only God can give.
Prince Charles - an often underestimated, consistently thoughtful figure. "For 20 years," he said in a recent speech, "I have tried to build bridges between Islam and Christianity and to dispel ignorance and misunderstanding. The point though, surely, is that we have now reached a crisis where the bridges are rapidly being deliberately destroyed by those with a vested interest in doing so." Here
First: Ancient Christian Communities are being destroyed (Nestorian, Coptic, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant - all the way around).
Second: No body seems to care. Follow these stories and see what you think. (I could multiply these stories with incidents from many other countries in the region.)
Egypt: Here
Iraq: Here
Iran: Here
Nigeria: Here
Beatings + burning homes + loss of jobs + prison + death = persecution.
How should these Christians respond?
How should / can Christians of any tradition in the West respond?
An Anglican bishop from The Gambia probably says it best - Forgive, as Jesus forgave those who persecuted him. Here (Perhaps this Christian leader's gentle words indicate why the Christian faith is spreading throughout the developing world so quickly. Hint: Christian character in face of hardships.)
Part of his Christmas message: Jesus’ greeting of peace is associated with him showing them his wounds. Peace invariably comes at a great cost. Despite the appalling cruelty he had experienced, Jesus was able to forgive his torturers and executioners. Indeed, he was able to plead with God for their forgiveness.
Such forgiveness is exceptional. True forgiveness does not come easily, and does not even recall past wrongs – however awful these may be. I firmly believe it comes only as a gift from God. This in turn allows the peace and joy only God can give.
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