Unraveling the Complexities of Ukraine's Conflict: History, Religion, and Geopolitical Interests
As the turbulent winds of conflict continue to rage in Ukraine, it becomes imperative to sift through the multilayered intricacies that play out on this global stage. Beneath the tangible physical warfare, lies a deeper realm of historical legacies, religious underpinnings, and geopolitical tug-of-wars. The present situation in Ukraine not only raises questions about its military strategies but also beckons us to consider the nation's historical relationship with its Jewish population, as well as pressing human rights concerns that plague its society.
An orthodox Rabbi reviews the Asbury revival
The remarkable Asbury revival in Kentucky USA, had millions of Christians worldwide glued to their screens to see if this might be a green shoot of a new awakening emerging from what has been a very barren Christian landscape. From all accounts this unexpected unscripted move of God is a genuine outpouring of Gods Spirit, and beginning to spread, may God fan the flame of this revival across the globe.
Messianic Jews- the elephant in the room of Jewish Christian relationships
The Elephant
As an evangelical Christian closely involved in building bridges between Christians and Jews, there is a subject I try studiously to ignore, and that is the “problem” of Messianic Jews. It is indeed the “elephant in the room.” The issues for many of my Jewish brethren are twofold, firstly, “Messianics” (Jews who have accepted Jesus as their Messiah) are considered traitors and heretics and secondly, evangelicals are mainly concerned about getting Jews converted, they always have an agenda. As to the former I understand their concern and this concern I might suggest is not primarily theological, but rather one cultivated by a long history of sickening persecution by Christians. I say this because this hostility and charge of apostacy does not seem to apply to Jews converting to Buddhism or even becoming atheists for example.
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Making Christ Believable
The new journey in Jewish Christian relationships
In my role as host of the Beersheba Vision program on Jewish radio and my work with Bridges for Peace as an Australian board member, I am often faced with some intrigue, mixed with concern from many of my evangelical friends. Their comments run like this, “it’s great what you are doing Barry, but are they being saved, are you getting them across the line?” You say they have a passionate love for God, but they are deceived Barry, if they haven’t said the “sinner’s prayer” they are going to hell. These are vexing matters and at a strictly theological level there are no easy answers.
The history of the “Yellow Star”
This year is the eightieth year since the Nazi introduction of the yellow star for European Jews. Being called yellow even today is a derogatory and demeaning term. However, this practice of identifying and dehumanising Jews was nothing new and went back a long way. This article does not have the space to chronicle all the occasions this practice was carried out, as there were dozens in multiple countries over the last two millennia, but I will start by outlining just a few.
