CHR Comment: It is unusual for a pope to retire as Benedict did. It is further unusual to have a retired pope publishing memoirs about his term of service. One wonders whether Benedict’s decisions will lead to different precedents for the papal office.
Source: In memoirs, ex Pope Benedict says Vatican ‘gay lobby’ tried to wield power: report | Reuters
Christians living in Hunter village in the Indian state of Jharkhand are facing dual threats from police who are barring them from worshiping and Hindu radicals who are threatening to kill them.
CHR Comment: Jharkhand land is in eastern India, near Bangladesh where similar threats and murders of Christians have taken place. However, in Jharkhand the threats are coming from Hindus rather than Muslims.
I’ve added a link to another, related story from this region.
Source: Christians in India Face Fines for Worshiping Jesus After Hindu Radicals Threaten to Kill Them
The law will prohibit evangelism anywhere outside a church or religious site – including private homes and online – and those in breach of it will be fined.
CHR Comment: Russian Protestants are opposing the new restrictions of religious liberties that are part of an effort to curb terrorist activities. They believe the laws will prevent them from sharing their faith outside of specifically defined religious contexts. The bill has already passed through the Russian Duma and Federation Council (their congress) and could be signed into law. Church historian Lloyd Harsch notes that after the initial openness following the collapse of Communism, Russian policies have become more and more restrictive on Protestant church activities.
I’ve added a second story to this topic below.
Christian women in Lebanon are arming themselves in the wake of a series of devastating suicide attacks on Monday.
CHR Comment: The article describes the deaths of five persons due to suicide bombings and includes statements from the women and priests associated with the village of Qaa.
In a groundbreaking statement about homosexuality, Pope Francis says Christians and the Catholic Church should seek forgiveness from gay people and others they have offended or treated poorly in the past.
CHR Comment: This article seems biased or poorly written. For example, the headline suggests that the Pope was speaking for all Christians. The actual quotation from Francis in the article speaks on behalf of Roman Catholicism and the doctrine in its official catechism. One also wonders about the description of Francis’s statement in 2013; as stated in the article, it might be interpreted to imply that God created human beings with a predisposition toward homosexuality, which would conflict with Catholic teaching about the purposes of marriage and family.
Source: Pope Francis says Christians should apologize to gay people
Donald Trump has recently accepted Jesus Christ and become a born again Christian.
CHR Comment: I found this report surprising since I have seen different accounts of Trump’s faith (e.g., see the second article link below, which I shared earlier). Hillary Clinton is also mentioned in the article. I believe she grew up Methodist and her societal views reflect the progressive wing of that tradition.
Billy Graham is, of course, famous for his interaction with American presidents, who also influenced him. Its interesting to see Dobson and other Evangelicals carrying on those relationships and efforts. Evangelicals remain an important voting block in Republican politics.
Source: Donald Trump has recently accepted Christ, says James Dobson | Christian News on Christian Today
The Philippines’ new president is on a collision course with the Roman Catholic Church.
CHR Comment: One wonders whether he was this forward about his views on contraception during the election, given that 80% of Philippinos are Roman Catholic. Also, what type of family planning does he have in mind (the article mentions vasectomies). Why does he suggestion that three children is enough? How does he arrive at that specific number?
I’ve added a second article below about rising teen pregnancy rates in the Philippines to provide more context.
Source: Philippines’ Duterte takes on Catholic Church over contraception
Fifty seekers – and one protester – gathered at First Cannabis Church of Logic and Reason.
CHR Comment: This appears to be a publicity stunt rather than a genuine church. The organizer, Jeremy Hall, is described as an ordained minister but there is no indication of who ordained him or how he prepared for ordination.
Source: With a puff of smoke, Lansing’s Cannabis Church kicks off
Vector Architects has built a concrete chapel on a Chinese beach, but raised it up above the sands so that seawater can wash underneath
CHR Comment: The innovative design of this new chapel illustrates the enigma of Christianity in China where persecution and demolition of churches exists alongside new, creative development.
Source: Tidal waters wash underneath Vector Architects’ Seashore Chapel
Hundreds of Filipino villagers donning capes of banana leaves covered themselves in mud Friday in a ritual to thank their patron saint, John the Baptist, who they believe saved residents from killings by Japanese invaders in World War II.
CHR Comment: A fascinating memorial for an event in World War II. This festival might be studied as an example of how unusual religious rituals develop from actual events and convey meaning to the community of believers. Additionally, what will happen with this festival over time? How might it develop and grow to express new interests and concerns of the church in the Philippines?
For example, we know that the Lord’s Supper or Mass started out as a family memorial meal for Passover, which ancient Israelites regarded as historical and miraculous. Jesus transformed the Passover meal in His Passover prayers of thanksgiving, telling His disciples that the bread and the wine were His body and blood, and distributing them for the forgiveness of their sins. The disciples made this private family meal into a semi-public church meal, which became known as the agape feast. Members of the churches would bring food for a fellowship meal that included the rite of the Lord’s Supper. The Passover was transformed from an annual event into a weekly event at the center of the Christians’ worship. Additions were made to the rite, such as a cup of milk and honey that symbolized the blessings and abundance in Christ and the Promised Land (heaven). As the churches grew, church leaders likely found it difficult for congregations to host an entire meal for large crowds of people. So they stripped the meal of practices that they regarded as nonessential. The focus of the meal now rested fully on the consecrated bread and cup and the prayers that surrounded the consecration. These transformations of the rite took place over a few hundred years, inspired church musicians, visual artists, and church fathers to explain theologically what was taking place in the ritual.
Source: Mud-splattered Filipinos pray to saint for blessing and woes – The Washington Post
church history review 