COMPASSION WITHOUT APOLOGY: a Christian response to Gaza
This past week was the final straw. Yet again, a message from a fellow believer landed in my inbox, questioning why I weep for the people of Gaza. So, I am tired. Not fatigued but fed up… Tired of having to explain why I care for the wounded. Tired of the arguments that twist my compassion into betrayal. Tired of the accusations that equate my empathy with the wounded as support for Hamas. So, to all of us who are asked this question: “How do you justify your empathy for the enemies of Israel?” I say this…
WHEN HOSTAGES ARE RELEASED: the sin of selective joy
I listened again to the voices of Christian leaders, proclaiming that the release of Israeli prisoners is a sign—divine, decisive, and prophetic. They speak of answered prayers, of a nation rejoicing, of the God of Israel who will not be silenced. And yet—Gaza groans. Its streets lie in ruins. Millions – millions- are homeless, displaced and disoriented. Has the God of Israel turned His face from them? Has He forgotten the least that He came to feed and clothe (Matthew 25)? Are they irredeemable? Forsaken? Excluded from eternity by association? Or is our theology too narrow, our rejoicing too selective?
WHO BROKE THE PEACE DEAL (FIRST): the rise of a scapegoat theology
So, who breached the peace treaty in Gaza first? Who fired the first shots? Israel or Hamas? Let me put this bluntly…
WHERE HEAVEN TOUCHES EARTH: a reflection on our visit to Lebanon and Syria.
We’ve just returned from Lebanon and Syria, our hearts deeply stirred by the people of this region—their resilience, their boundless love, and their generous hospitality. In the midst of hardship, we encountered sacred moments where heaven touched earth. These encounters were not rare—they were radiant, rooted in faith and community. We carry their stories with us, and we invite you to share in the joy, the beauty, and the hope we witnessed.
THE GAZA 20-POINT PEACE PLAN: the plans, the promises and the pitfalls
The US-ISRAEL PEACE PLAN, unveiled by President Donald Trump in late September 2025, is a 20-point proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza and reshaping its future. Here’s a summary of its key components, the pro’s and the con’s
THREE FAULTLINES OF THE FUTURE: how Israel is reshaping global risk
There are dimensions of the war in Gaza that remain largely unspoken in mainstream media. Yet their long-term impact will be profound—interlinking geopolitical realignments, theological fault lines, and missional shifts. These developments will shape East–West relations for years to come and redefine how faith, mission, and witness are understood in one of the most spiritually neglected and politically volatile regions on earth. The Church cannot afford to look away. Here are three unfolding realities that require our attention:
FROM DOOM TO DIALOGUE: navigating freedom of faith in South Africa
A video is currently circulating that raises alarm over potential state regulation of Christianity in South Africa—sparking concern that this could mark the beginning of religious restrictions and even persecution. Here’s a grounded summary of what’s happening, followed by a Christian lens to help discern the moment.
ISRAEL’S CLAIM TO INNOCENCE: unmasking the theology of self-defence.
For most pro-Israel supporters, every heartbreaking statistic—bombed hospitals, starving children, community displacement and mass graves—is met with one universal refrain – a question disguised as an answer: “Doesn’t Israel have the right to defend itself?” When engaging the topic of self-defence, three distinct yet interwoven frameworks must be held together in thoughtful unity. Each offers a lens—legal, moral, and spiritual—that, when integrated, can guide us beyond reaction toward discernment. To separate them is to risk distortion; to unite them is to pursue justice with integrity.
MARTYRDOM AND MYTHMAKING: a Christian response to the Charlie Kirk video
A powerful AI-generated video circulating on social media depicts Charlie Kirk standing alongside Paul, Peter, Andrew, Stephen, and other early church martyrs, portraying him as a fellow martyr and brother in Christ. For over four decades, I’ve walked alongside the persecuted church. For me, martyrdom is sacred. Purified from politics and personal convictions. The truth that martyrs proclaim makes them more loving and gentle, not more self-assured and aggressive. I carry a deep burden to protect the integrity of what it means to be a martyr for Christ. I therefore ask that you, as reader, read this with discernment and with the humility that a true witness demands.
RESURRECTION IN RUINS: a Christian response to Syria’s elections
On Monday, 15 September 2025, Syria will hold its first election since the fall of Assad. The elections may not offer direct representation for believers, but they do offer a chance to reclaim moral imagination. To insist that peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of dignity. And to remind Syria—and the world—that the Church, though bruised, is not broken. In this fragile moment, the Church’s role may be less about power and more about presence: a quiet but resilient sign of hope in a land aching for renewal.