Church Asked to Mediate in Ecuador

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Ecuador sent soldiers and police on Thursday to an isolated jungle area after a policeman was killed and several security officials injured in a violent protest against a Chinese copper exploration project amid conflicts between mining companies and indigenous communities.

CHR Comment: The article does not explain what church is involved (presumably Roman Catholic) or how it is serving in the mediation. It is ironic that the communist state, which has actively suppressed some churches in China, would turn to a church for aid in economic and trade disputes.

Source: Church Asked To Mediate Between Indigenous People And Chinese Mining Company In Ecuador | Christian News on Christian Today

Top 10 Discoveries of 2016 – Archaeology Magazine

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ARCHAEOLOGY’s editors reveal the year’s most compelling finds

CHR Comment: Two the top ten discoveries relate to Christian history. On Mona Island, Puerto Rico, archaeologists investigated rock art from Spanish Christians, which was etched alongside rock art from the indigenous people. In Salem, MA, researchers located the site where the “witches” were executed following the infamous Salem Witch Trials.

Source: Top 10 Discoveries of 2016 – Archaeology Magazine

Christians Face ‘Pervasive And Long-Standing Persecution’ In Burma

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The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today issues a stark warning about lack of religious freedom in Burma, where, it says, Christianity is institutionally discriminated against and Buddhism has been elevated to the de facto state religion.

Source: Christians Face ‘Pervasive And Long-Standing Persecution’ In Burma | Christian News on Christian Today

Remembering Thomas Oden

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Tom saw as his primary task the discernment of how the Holy Spirit was leading the church and how, in his role as a pastor and academic, he might fit into the Spirit’s leading.

CHR Comment: Oden became a leading proponent for studying and valuing the history of biblical interpretation as a guide for interpretation and application of the Bible today.

Source: Remembering Thomas Oden | Joel Elowsky | First Things

Christianity Today Article

The Persecution of Professor Esolen

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Anthony Esolen stands firmly in that great Catholic tradition of liberal learning. A college whose leadership is committed to that tradition would celebrate his contributions—it wouldn’t coddle his persecutors.

CHR Comment: An interesting though odd rant about Roman Catholic higher education. The author defends Prof. Esolen without providing any clear statement about the issues at stake, just that the professor raised questions about “diversity.” Therefore, I have added a link to a second article in The American Conservative where Esolen is interviewed about the controversy, which involves accusations of racism and issues of Catholic identity and cultural engagement.

Source: The Persecution of Professor Esolen | George Weigel

The American Conservative