The scene was extraordinary: a government targeting an ordained pastor, ordering him to surrender hard copies of his sermons and his Bible as well.
Vatican: Cremation OK, but keep ashes off mantel
Cremation is OK for Catholics, but don’t put the ashes in jewelry, either.
Ancient Papyrus Offers First Non-Biblical Mention of Jerusalem
Israeli archaeologists unveiled the papyrus dating back to the seventh century B.C.
CHR Comment: The inscription provides evidence for an organized Judean kingdom in the century before the Babylonian exile. This papyrus is much, much older than the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, offering some hope that other early Hebrew texts may yet be discovered.
Source: Ancient papyrus offers first non-biblical mention of Jerusalem
Great Basilica Yields Medieval Fresco Fragment
CHR Comment: The Great Basilica of Plovdiv, Bulgaria had its origins in the fifth century AD. The great mural recently uncovered dates from the medieval era and was likely the work of an artist from Constantinople.
Source: Great Basilica Yields Medieval Fresco Fragment – Archaeology Magazine
Died: Jack Chick, Cartoonist of Controversial Tracts
CHR Comment: Chick’s work was creative but also offensive and given to a “fire insurance” approach to outreach: commit to Christ now or face hellfire and brimstone. In his day printed tracts were the rage but digital has made that medium a less compelling outreach tool.
Christians In Nigeria Suffer Attacks By Fulani Herdsmen
Christians in a town in Nigeria are living in a state of shock and fear after Fulani herdsmen launched back-to-back attacks on their community in the past days, leaving over 40 people dead.
Baby Jesus’ New Head Is a Bit Shocking
But the replacement for marble statue’s severed head is only temporary.
CHR Comment: There is something to say here about the challenges a church faces for maintaining fine art, which is an asset but can also become a burden since later generations have difficulty matching the earlier quality. Would it have been better to leave this temporary head off?
Evangelicals Aren’t Who You Think
Most of us aren’t conservative white Trump supporters. We need to reclaim our stolen identity.
CHR Comment: I saved this article back in October before the election. It provides an interesting perspective on what it means to be Evangelical, a term used historically, theologically, and politically in American dialogue.
The term comes from German “evangelisch,” which Martin Luther and other reformers used to describe their churches in the sixteenth century. This was a theological use of the term, referring to the Reformation churches as churches “of the Gospel” in contrast with medieval Catholicism, which focused so much on tradition and piety.
Historically, “evangelisch” came to mean what Protestant means in American Christianity, sort of “not Roman Catholic.” The theological use that focused on the Gospel was obscured over time.
As the article points out, Evangelical in America popularly means born again Christian, although many Protestant churches continue to use it in the older theological or historical sense. Because born again Christians have become very active politically, Evangelical has also become a political term to describe conservative Christian voters and that is the use that Jim Wallis is contending against, adding concern about narrowing use of the term to describe white voters.
Pope Francis to Lutheran Pilgrims: Seek Unity through Charity
The full text of Pope Francis’ prepared remarks to Lutheran pilgrims in the Vatican on Thursday
CHR Comment: Nearly 500 years ago, the historic disruption of western Christendom took place as Protestants and Roman Christians disagreed on the doctrine of justification. The dialogue between liberal Lutheran church leaders and the papacy has continued for decades. Pope Francis expresses his hope that the dialogue will end in “communion.” Anticipate something taking place during the upcoming Reformation anniversary observances in 2017.
Source: Pope Francis to Lutheran pilgrims: seek unity through charity – Vatican Radio
C. Peter Wagner (1930-2016)
Missiologist, missionary, writer, teacher, and Church Growth specialist
CHR Comment: Wagner was a major figure in the Church Growth Movement, which intended to revitalize and grow churches by drawing on sociological principles. The reaction of church and theologians to the movement has been mixed and the results of church growth principles have been controversial.
church history review 