I am being asked about Venezuela. Last year we hosted an event at Menlo Church which outlined the historical issues and economic problems with Venezuela. We thought the problems would be somewhat short-lived with the possible and immanent replacement of President Nicolas Maduro with opposition leader Juan Guaido. Then things went south. Guaido has been…
Read More
The Women Who Blogged and Brought a Heresy To It’s Knees.
How fitting that an unorthodox theological position running rampant for 30 years in evangelicalism, namely the complementarian doctrine of a hierarchically ordered Trinity based on authority/submission (ESS – Eternal Subordination of the Son) that has given rise to patriarchy, misogyny, clerical abuse by arrogant bully New Calvinist pastors, the silencing of women, the problematic ESV…
Read More
Feeding Syrian Refugees at the Border
From the main blog A little update from me. We arrived at the border a few days ago and started cooking immediately, both for the team and for the stream of Syrian refugees. Most of them were in too much of a hurry to stop and chat – they were at the finish line of…
Read MoreThoughts on Pope Francis
GREAT to hear waves of excitement over the new Pope. I am also excited about the appointment of Pope Francis, because . . . – he is from South America. – he is a humble man, riding the bus to work and refusing ecclesiastic titles. – he has a heart for the poor. – he…
Read MoreAmerican Christians and the Mormon factor
Right now is an interesting time in American politics and religion. There are plenty of conservative evangelical Christians in USA who are about to vote for a Mormon to be their president. Who woulda thunk??? I read a few snippets on Billy Graham removing the “cult” status on the BGEA website. I would be curious to…
Read MoreMuslim sanctuaries: For Your Eyes Only
“Cinderazahd: For Your Eyes Only” has its world premiere at the Dowse Art Museum next week but men will not be allowed in. The Qatari writer and film-maker Sophia Al-Maria has expressed her wishes that men should not see the unveiled women in her video, a wish that corresponds with her Muslim faith. Fair enough. I…
Read MoreOn Muslims Destroying Religious Shrines and Pagan Artifacts
Are the Muslims REALLY planning to destroy the pyramids? I think NOT. The story this week from Egypt appears to be a hoax. Which is good news. Last year we had a fantastic tour of both the pyramids and the Cairo museum by Ibrahmim Morgan, an egyptologist and historian. We even took a camel tour of…
Read MoreVideo: Bishop Justin Duckworth starts wearing purple
Here is my short video of Justin Duckworth getting installed as Bishop of Wellington last weekend. There’s some footage of the breakfast we all had with him in the morning, the ceremony at the Cathedral, some thoughts from Jenny Duckworth on the symbols, and some fun stuff. All in 5 minutes!! For the video of…
Read MoreEgypt: A Christian vice-president and potential for change
Last year in Egypt I met some amazing people who live in Cairo and have a special interest in the goings-on among the government and church. One of them is W. I asked him for the skinny on the recent happenings. Andrew: Hi W. I just heard some news about Egypt: “One of the first decisions will…
Read MoreBoomerang: Travels in the New Third World
I just read two books by Michael Lewis. The first was his latest book called Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World. Love that title! The book gives some eye-popping background and tragic [and sometimes hliarious] narrative to the financial collapse in Greece, Iceland and Ireland. A great book if you want to understand the current-day woes…
Read MoreCoptic Pope Shenouda III Dies
The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Shenouda III has passed away at the age of 88. He was greatly loved and respected. I saw pictures of him on walls all over Cairo. I have a lot of respect for the Egyptian Orthodox church. It’s one of the oldest churches in the world and…
Read MoreIs the number 666 really on our barcodes?
A blog reader asked if the number 666 is somehow integrated into the barcodes. This has been a discussion for over 30 years among Christians. I asked my friend David Allis who is not only a Christian man but is also a leading seller of barcodes, to reply to the question, “Do all barcodes have…
Read MoreSeeking unity in the Egyptian Revolution
Egypt: 33 bodies in the main Cairo morgue right now. Might be more in Alexandria and other cities. 1700 injured, many blinded by rubber bullets. Last month’s violence against Coptic Christians, which resulted in 23+ deaths, was the bloodiest sectarian violence in Egypt in 60 years. This week, things got even worse. Its a mixed…
Read MoreGlobal Faith Forum: Day 2
Back at the Global Faith Forum at Northwood Church, Keller, Texas. Bob Roberts has done a superb job of adding the right tone to this event. Humor goes a long way and Bob is quick to make fun of everyone and put all the speakers and guests at ease. Some highlights today: Ray Bakke talking…
Read MoreKiwis are UNBEATABLE and UNDEFEATABLE!
OK – you have been expecting me to say something about the New Zealand's spectacular undefeated appearance at the FIFA 2010 World Cup . . and here it is. Paraguay could not beat the Kiwis. Slovakia???? Nope!! Not even Italy, the defending world champions, could beat the Kiwis. That's because the KIWIS ARE UNBEATABLE! And…
Read More