American evangelicals were quick to stand united in support of Israel after Hamas militants savagely attacked the country Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages. But evangelicals differ over whether to show concern for…
Between Hamas and Boko Haram
I remember reading, long ago, that tragedy brings out the best in human beings in regard to empathy. But it also brings out bias. This has been obvious over the past weeks as the Israeli-Hamas war has unfolded. Since first…
A passionate appeal for life vs. death in Gaza
I am the Tuesday designated driver, and this is the fifth and last week. I sit in the waiting room, waiting for my friend to have her radiation therapy treatment administered. The 150-mile roundtrip to Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute…
Orientalism and Gaza
I participated in one of the most beautiful and powerful conferences, “Land, People and Culture,” held at Dar al-Kalima University in Palestine, organized by Mitri Raheb. It was a transformative conference for me in so many ways as I got…
In Gaza, ceasefire is the necessary moral solution
What we have witnessed in the Holy Land is a catastrophe, and Christians must do our part to end the violence. The terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israelis on Oct. 7 were abominable. This month’s long war in Gaza, which…
City of the living, city of the dead: From Vilnius to Israel/Palestine
I spent the last weekend of October exploring the Old Town of Vilnius, Lithuania. I was in that grand 700-year-old city for speaking appearances and to visit friends. My dear wife, Jeanie, came with me. Tuesday, Oct. 31, was free,…
If you’re uncertain how to approach Israel and Gaza, start with grief
I’ve known churches that have been on the frontlines of every concern of justice, congregations in which you could well assume nearly everyone is voting for the same candidate at the top of the ticket, churches in which no controversial…
WWJP? A checklist for testing the Christlikeness of your pastor’s ‘sermon’ about Israel
It’s been said many Christians have two things for Sunday lunch: fried chicken and fried pastor. I once got a Sunday afternoon phone call lambasting me for a Memorial Day homily during which veterans lit a candle not only for…
Maybe there are some ‘good guys’ in this war after all
I take it back. There are some “good guys” in the war between Israel and Hamas: The innocent civilians being slaughtered by both sides. Two weeks ago, I wrote a column saying there are no “good guys” in this war…