The Anglican Church communion worldwide: Will it split this week? Or, will it stay together?

An historic meeting of the Anglican Church / Communion is taking place right now.

This is an important turning point in Protestant Christianity. Take time to learn the issues.

The future of Anglicans as a major church boy may be determined by decisions reached during the next three days. At issue is whether the North American bodies, in the USA The Episcopal Church, TEC and in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, ACC will be accepted by, or rejected by the other larger Anglican church bodies in other bodies around the world. At issue is how to interpret Biblical doctrines. The presenting issue, as you probably know, was "same-sex marriage".

If you are only just now becoming aware of the controversy, here is a lucid blog on the "Liberal" side, by Mark Harris, of Delaware in the USA. Read more.

On the "Conservative" side David Ould spells out the possible results of a world-wide split in Anglicanism. Read more.

"Why Millions of Muslims are Leaving Islam" - An interview with Iranian Dr. Hormoz Shariat

This is a time of great tension for Muslims. They were brought up believing Islamic doctrines, which included the unity between followers of Mohammed and they were taught their religion was one of peace. However, confronting daily realities that show these and other tenants of their faith to be not real in their lives, many are searching for a deeper connection with the Lord. This is an amazing story, one that is not usually reported in the mainstream press for obvious reasons. Read more.

"Should Christians be Encouraged to Arm Themselves?" Article by John Piper

"For the sake of the safety of his campus, and in view of terrorist activity, Liberty University's President Falwell encouraged the students to get permits to carry guns.

"After implying that he had a gun in his back pocket, he said, 'I just want to take this opportunity to encourage all of you to get your permit. We offer a free course. And let’s teach them a lesson if they ever show up here.' On December 9 he stated that the policy at Liberty now includes permission to carry guns in the dormitories."

What should be the Christian's attitude towards the tendency for citizens to arm themselves? John Piper begins with a series of Biblical texts as he addresses the need for security. Read more.

"Putin's Power Play in Syria" - Foreign Affairs

In October,

Putin said, “The collapse of Syria’s official authorities will only mobilize terrorists. Right now, instead of undermining them, we must revive them, strengthening state institutions in the conflict zone.”

Although Moscow may not be wedded to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the long run, it is adamantly opposed to anything that would weaken the rule of secular strongmen in the Middle East—hence Putin’s repeated denunciations of U.S. support for opposition forces during the Arab revolts of 2011 . . . "

Read more.

Sad details of Refugees living in Turkey - those unable to travel to Europe

So often we hear of refugees crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on their way to the Greek Island of Lesbos. They pile into a small rubber dingy, far too many people in each one considering the large waves they will encounter on the precarious way across the straight.

What of the refugees who are unable to pay the approximately $2-3,000 per person to the human smugglers? At least two million people are living in deplorable circumstances in towns and cities across Turkey. Here is a recent eye witness account:

The Turkish Coast Guard showed us pictures of adults, babies & children whom they had rescued from sinking rafts in the Aegean.  Most of the refugees going over to Greece leave from the region near Assos.

We were able to travel through the Arabic and Kurmunji (Kurdish) speaking camps.  The two language groups attack each other with knives, stealing from one another, and causing mayhem. The conditions are deplorable.  People live in structures made of trash and plastic. They cook in the open, and fetch water from a drainage ditch.  After a  rain they walk in mud up to their ankles.  Some churches are handing out grocery vouchers and supply packages for babies & children.  Those who are involved in helping the refugees will not go to the camps at night.

"The most dangerous crisis in decades"

A penetrating analysis about the Middle East at the beginning of 2016 comes from Hassan Rouhani. Unfortunately, the changes of the last two months spell continued and apparently unending suffering for millions. Read more. and here: The most dangerous crisis in decades.

This is where the action was 4,000 years ago. Surprise?

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"Britain is no longer a Christian nation and it's time to rid England of Anglicanism" - a panel says.

"Britain is no longer a Christian country and should stop acting as if it is, a top-level inquiry into the place of religion in society has concluded, provoking a backlash from politicians and the Church of England."

Read more. from the Telegraph on this development.

Diyarbakir's Christians suffer in the margins during Turkey's war with PKK Separatists" - Al Monitor

In Sur, Turkish special forces teams backed by tanks, helicopter gunships and armored personnel carriers have laid virtual siege to the district, which now lies in ruins.

The youths remain dug in, but over half of Sur’s residents have fled. And while their suffering has been well-documented, little has been said about the clutch of Christians who have been quietly toiling to resurrect Sur’s once vibrant multi-faith community. It was brutally destroyed in 1915, when Ottoman forces and their Kurdish collaborators slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Christians (most of them Armenians) and other non-Muslims in what many respected scholars call genocide. Immense human suffering continues and few in the world know of it.
Read more.

Important cultural divisions in America - Barna Group Research

The following topics were studied in depth in 2015 by the Barna Research Group:

1. Legal Same-Sex marriage reveals cultural fault lines.
2. Concerns over religious freedom are growing.
3. Post-Christian beliefs are on the rise.
4. U.S. Adults do not agree on who Jesus was and is.
5. Americans define themselves by family country and faith.
6. Voters want a presidential candidate to take a stand on issues.
7. Discipleship in American churches is not effective, pastors say.
8. Scotland research offers lessons on ministry in a post-Christian context.
9. Women are disengage
ng from the church.
10. Most Americans plan to stay where they are living.

Read more from this excellent research.

"Biblical birth narratives are weird and incredible. We can stop sanitizing them." - Washington Post

The Biblical narrative of Christ's birth is built upon at least seven aspects that churches avoid at Christmas: infertility, peasant life, refugee status, the shame of an unwed mother, quiet faithfulness of seniors, injustice and social stigma. Did your Christ
mas play of the nativity deal with any of these?

This well-written essay W. David. O. Taylor examines the Christmas story as it is written in the Gospels. Read more.