A tribute to the New Testament expert who kept the flame of evangelical scholarship from burning out.
CHR Comment: I. Howard Marshall (1934-2015) was a well established New Testament scholar who supported and advanced academic study and publishing among Evangelicals. The article provides anecdotes from other scholars who valued his service and influence.
Source: Died: Ian Howard Marshall, Courageous and Winsome Bible Scholar | Christianity Today
(RNS) The “Harvard of evangelicalism” penalizes a professor for saying Muslims and Christians worship the “same God.”
CHR Comment: Professor Larycia Hawkins raised concerns as she sought to show solidarity with Muslims by wearing a hijab and stating that Christians and Muslims have the same God. Hawkins, an Episcopalian who teaches political science at Wheaton College, made statements that are viewed as incompatible with the Evangelical school’s statement of faith.
Source: Wheaton College must decide hijab-wearing prof’s future – and its own – Religion News Service
Zion Church in Berlin will host a special service using the themes of good versus evil from the Bible and from the Star Wars film series. The article explains the theological and outreach aims of Ulrike Garve and Lucas Ludewig in arranging the service. Zion Church is know as a congregation served by the German martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the 1930s and as a gathering place for dissenters during the Cold War.
Hyeon Soo Lim received life in prison with hard labor Wednesday for what was called crimes against the state.
CHR Comment: Pastor Lim, who was in North Korea offering aid at a nursing home, a nursery, and an orphanage, confessed to using religion to undermine the North Korean state as well as other charges. However, the article points out that such confessions have been coerced from prisoners in the past. Lim was pastor at Light Korean Presbyterian Church in Toronto.
Source: N. Korea sentences Canadian pastor to life in prison
Another family also is expected; Gov. Nikki Haley asked federal officials not to send Syrians because of security concerns.
CHR Comment: Lutheran Services Carolinas, a charity-based social services agency, is helping to settle Syrian refugees in South Carolina despite the security concerns raised by immigration. The article explains the issues of inadequate security checks as well as the disagreements between federal and state officials.
Source: Syrian refugees arrive in S.C. despite gov’s objections
The journey from Pakistan to Sweden costs around $2,400 per person in smuggler fees.
CHR Comment: Omera tells a remarkable story of culture and the courage to improve her life. Along the way, she received help from a family of Indian Christians in the United Arab Emirates. They included her in their observances of Christmas and helped her learn English.
Source: This young mother crossed 45 mountains for her family
Police said Monday they had seized 3,500 fake Vatican parchments that were being sold to unsuspecting pilgrims taking part in Pope Francis’ Holy Year celebrations.
CHR Comment: The counterfeit parchments commemorate pilgrimages to Rome and personal blessings. They would be worth $76,000 U.S. The Vatican sells its parchments as fund raising for charity. They have decided not to outsource the production of such parchments in the future.
Source: Italy seizes 3,500 fake ‘Apostolic Blessings’ in Rome – The Washington Post
An evangelical preacher from Northern Ireland who branded Islam satanic has been charged with spreading a “grossly offensive” message.
CHR Comment: Although one might agree that Rev. James McConnell’s comments are offensive, many Christians have held that other religions and religious people’s activities stem from Satan misleading people. In fact, this would be a common theological argument against groups viewed as teaching falsely. The New Testament also includes such statements (e.g., Acts 5:3; 26:18).
Source: Evangelical preacher on trial after branding Islam ‘satanic’ – The Washington Post
Under Caesar’s Sword conference in Rome explores strategies in 100 beleaguered communities.
CHR Comment: Christians are adopting a variety of strategies in dealing with persecution. The article lists responses such as fighting back, seeking help from authorities, fleeing, accepting second-class status, and viewing persecution as normative.
Millions of pilgrims walk for days to celebrate the Feast of Guadalupe.
CHR Comment: Devotees process to the festival caring objects of devotion and specific prayer requests with hope for healing and other blessings. On December 12, 1531, a Mexican man reported the visitation of the Virgin Mary to him, which became the basis for the annual festival. The article includes fine photography by a national Geographic correspondent.
Source: Photos Reveal Mexico’s Colorful Virgin Mary Festival
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