2.25.2017
The 1,500-year-old structure, now a museum, has symbolized Turkey’s secular society.
CHR Comment: The article rehearses some of the history, noting the shift in Turkish society away from secularism toward emphasizing Islamic heritage at the expense of Christian heritage.
Source: Turks push to turn iconic Hagia Sophia back into a mosque
2.23.2017
Denis McNamara’s How To Read Churches is an extraordinary book. Subtitled “a crash course in ecclesiastical architecture,” it covers building types, floor plans, sections of churches (nave, […]
CHR Comment: A brief review of a 2011 publication.
Source: How To Read Churches
2.23.2017
The pontiff criticizes those who claim to be ‘very Catholic’ but won’t pay workers a fair wage.
CHR Comment: Hypocrisy was the target of Francis’s comments on economic issues. He also warned against confidence that God would forgive such hypocrisy.
2.23.2017
An L.A. artist created a statue called “False Idol” that features The Life of Pablo’s artist’s likeness.
CHR Comment: A pop culture use of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion as commentary on the Hollywood culture of attacking its own idols.
Source: A Gold Kanye West Jesus Statue Appears In Downtown L.A.
2.21.2017
In interview, front-runner Geert Wilders says anti-immigrant fervor is sweeping Europe.
CHR Comment: Wilders sees Christian and Jewish values as foundational to Dutch society. An example of European politics looking to religion for direction.
2.21.2017
His Fellowship is the force behind DC discipleship and the National Prayer Breakfast.
CHR Comment: Coe formed the Foundation Fellowship, which counseled political leaders. He started out as a Methodist youth pastor.
Source: Died: Doug Coe, Humble Faith in the Halls of Power | News & Reporting | Christianity Today
2.21.2017
An “average” church pastor is the president of the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference.
CHR Comment: The article describes the election of a smaller church pastor to the presidency of the Pastor’s Conference and highlights differences between leadership from larger churches and from smaller churches, where most Southern Baptists attend.
2.16.2017
Alternative truths abounded last night after the General Synod vote on the bishops\’ report on human sexuality came through and the House of Clergy voted by a narrow margin not to take note of it.
CHR Comment: A closer look at the working of the Church of England’s General Synod as the three houses—bishops, clergy, and laity—vote on issues of human sexuality.
Source: Why The General Synod\’s Vote Last Night Was Bad For Everyone | Christian News on Christian Today
2.10.17
This year marks the five hundredth anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. It is a year of . . . .
CHR Comment: Leithart rehearses some of the infighting that hindered Protestant efforts to reform the church and led to greater divisions. He expresses interest in Protestant and Catholic unification.
Source: Taking Responsibility for the Reformation | Peter J. Leithart | First Things
2.8.2017
Evangelical leaders have taken out a full-page newspaper advertisement to denounce President Donald Trump’s temporary ban on refugees.
CHR Comment: This issue illustrates a dividing point among American Evangelicals on issues of immigration and national security. Instead of using the Good Samaritan text to make their point, there are Old Testament texts about strangers and refugees that would better apply to the situation of modern refugees.
Source: Evangelicals buy ad to blast Donald Trump’s refugee ban – CNNPolitics
church history review 