Applied Theology
Years ago (like back in the ‘80’s), I came across a very important fellow with long hair and knickers. Francis Schaeffer, author of How Should We Then Live (and a host of other great books) proved to be prophetic in many of his warnings to the western church. One of the warnings which demonstrated Schaeffer’s... Continue Reading →
As we crowded into the square area designated as the living room, our group of Christian believers talked mostly of our families and of news and events in the Christian world. This was a reunion of sorts, as the people gathered here had not been together in one place for more than a year. It... Continue Reading →
The people of God seem always to struggle with exactly how to relate to powerful governments. Israel hated her slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, but promptly wanted to go back to Egypt after landing in the wilderness. At least in Egypt she could have melons. This longing to go back to Egypt and trust in... Continue Reading →
Our van was nothing fancy. No one would have mistaken it for a limousine. It was plain, boxy, kind of like a Volkswagen cargo van in which someone bolted a couple of seats to the floor. Nothing about the van stood out in the bustling African streets of Addis Ababa. Like everyone else in town... Continue Reading →
Just this past weekend, my family and I hosted a World Cup party. About 25 people crowded into my living room to enjoy the epic battle in which the U.S. Men’s National team fought against the highly-touted, Ronaldo-led squad from Portugal. Yes, the last-second cross from Ronaldo to the head of Varela sent shockwaves down... Continue Reading →
Voice of the Martyrs has helped to rescue two young women from captivity in Nigeria. You can read the full story below. More information is available on their website. I publish this story from Voice of the Martyrs here to get the word out and offer support for the care VOM is giving to the... Continue Reading →
I know a woman whose life was very hard through no fault of her own. She and her husband had 8 children together when he was murdered, leaving her a widow with very little means to survive. Family members offered to take the younger children so she could try to survive with the older ones.... Continue Reading →
Muslim gunmen raid three Christian villages in Kaduna state. *Story from Morning Star News March 16, 2014 By Our Nigeria Correspondent - MANCHOK, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Muslim herdsmen armed with guns and machetes on Friday night (March 14) launched attacks on three villages in Kaduna state, killing more than 100 Christians and destroying homes, sources said. Scores of... Continue Reading →
In Nigeria, the situation is grim for Christians. In particular, Christians in the northern tier of Nigeria live in constant fear of bombings, execution, or torturous violence at the hands of Boko Haram, a militant Islamic terrorist organization. Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan spoke against the violence but insisted that this violence was not Christian persecution,... Continue Reading →
A Devastating Question Rod Dreier asks a devastating question to Christians: Why don’t you care about fellow Christians suffering in Syria? “If you are a Christian, why don’t you care? And if you do care, have you spoken to your pastor, your friends, and most importantly, your Congressman and Senators, about it?” Historic Persecution? In... Continue Reading →
2 Timothy 3:12, Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Given the fact that God promises persecution to all Christians, it should be no surprise to us that Christians are routinely attacked around the world. The Assyrian International News Agency has chronicled by country some of the more... Continue Reading →
In his annual Christmas day address, Pope Benedict XVI urged citizens of the earth to realize (and make the most of) the good soil on the earth. It was clear from his message that the Pontiff intended to promote peace and hope: "In this world, there is a good soil God has prepared," the pope... Continue Reading →
I remember the first time I was confronted with a serious pacifist. I was in seminary, and a certain professor—who is a well-known and well-respected scholar—challenged us in class and afterward to re-think the violence of our Christian past and adopt a peaceful future. His argument was compelling. I remember when challenged, he... Continue Reading →
For 11 years, Cedar Grove Baptist Church has been working to get Christians together on One Night for the World. Sunday night, November 11, is the one night we have set aside this year to pray for persecuted Christians. We will be praying for Christians in Nigeria. The entire event will be streamed live at... Continue Reading →
The targeted killing of Christians continues in Nigeria. As we have seen before, Boko Haram is well financed and likely well connected. They are continuing to carry out attacks on a routine basis. This past week, they attacked St. Rita Church in Kaduna state by driving an SUV loaded with explosives through a wall of... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 