This book explores the use of the bema platform in early Syrian Orthodox churches. The bema was a raised platform from which Scripture was read in the synagogue, which was adopted by early Christian churches.
Review of Biblical Literature.
Jewish and Christian Views of Paradise. Early Church
This new book includes essays on paradise, illustrating how Jewish and Christians gave different descriptions.
Review of Biblical Literature.
Ephesus: The Legend of the Seven Sleepers. Early Church
How seven youths escaped persecution and perhaps inspired Rip Van Winkle.
Ephesus: The Legend of the Seven Sleepers | Bob Schulman.
Sainthood of Arab Nuns. Modern Church
A significant event since no Arabic speaking saints have been canonized for a very long time.
AP – Holy Land Christians celebrate sainthood of Arab nuns.
Jeb Bush at Liberty University. Faith and Republicans
Jeb Bush, a devout convert to Roman Catholicism, spoke at Baptist Liberty University. The article notes that most Republican candidates court conservative Protestants, which make up 34% of the Republican vote. Jeb Bush at Liberty University: Why presidential hopefuls court Evangelicals (+video) – CSMonitor.com.
Raul Castro Professes Return to Catholicism. Pope Francis
Raul Castro signaled a personal change in his relations to the Catholic Church after carefully following the teaching of Pope Francis. Castro also noted that Cubans are now free to exercise their faith, noteworthy changes for an atheistic, Catholic nation.
Castro: Ready to go back to church after meeting with Pope Francis.
Significant Decline in Christian Affiliation. Pew Research Center
This study, released today, has significant finding about the decline of Christian affiliation but does not provide explanations for the declines discovered in their surveys. I would suggestion the following reasons:
Personal rather than political reasons
The breakdown of families, which normally have held people in churches
Church-life feeling more hurtful than helpful
Social norms that caused people to say they were religious in the past are fading. People are more comfortable admitting they are unaffiliated.
America’s Changing Religious Landscape | Pew Research Center.
Back Story on Garissa Martyrs. Kenyan Church
This article helps one understand how the attacks on Christians in Garissa came about due to the presence in Kenya of a large refugee camp for Muslims from war-ravaged Somalia.
World’s largest refugee camp in Kenya at risk of closing.
How to Visit the Vatican Museums. Rick Steves
Travel expert describes better ways to see these busy sights in Rome, including a little history on Italy. Great photos.
Liberation Theology Renewal under Pope Francis. Modern Church
This story describes the surprise visit of Liberation theologian Gustavo Gutierrez as a speaker at a Roman Catholic conference on charity. Gutierrez was associated with Marxist views, which were mixing with Christian ideas about equality and poverty, leading to armed attempts to enforce equality.
AP – Liberation theology rehabilitation continues at Vatican.
church history review 