In the dozen years this blog has now been active, it has been an especial joy to watch increased scholarly attention to the Syriac tradition, not a few of whose books have been featured on here. Set for release early next month will be another welcome volume aiding in our understanding of this tradition and its wider relations: Christian Thought in […]

Are nearly 40% of clergy really about to leave the ministry? It’s a question that has come up regularly in conversations among sociologists of religion since The Barna Group, a research firm that focuses on religion, found last year that 2 in 5 Christian pastors had considered quitting full-time ministry in the past year. As director of Hartford Institute for Religion Research, I […]

Mark 6:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” We know that Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, was a carpenter by trade (Matthew 13:54-55). The above scripture, however, seems to indicate that Jesus also […]

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who […]

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 (NIV) Summary I am giving up Lent for Lent this year, at least the way […]

Lent is traditionally described as lasting for 40 days, in commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of

 Billboard Top 50 Christian Songs Playlist for March 19, 2022 (Sanctus Real) 01 2:29 min     Crowder – In The House (Lyric Video) Crowder 02 4:00 min   Weary Traveler (Official Music Video) – Jordan St. Cyr Jordan St. Cyr 03 4:15 min Ryan Ellis – Heart of the Father (Official Music Video) Ryan Ellis 04 3:26 min […]

Christ in You, the Hope of Glory Christ, and Christ alone, is the hope of glory. I first heard these words from my dad (Rev. ISLO Ezigbo, a retired ECWA minister) during my teenage years. He often uttered the expression in situations that might appear hopeless. I later learned, when I began my theological studies, that “Christ, and Christ alone, […]

Praying For Revival: But Do You Have A Reference Point? A reference point in this correspondence is a motivating factor or a precedent. Is there a challenge or an aspiration to overcome or attain? Without a doubt, for many of us, the word Revival may not be a new vocabulary, but its meaning and depth. In October 2020, we joined […]

A Call for the Church to Maintain Prophetic Distance in Political and Social Issues Political and social issues can be a precarious sphere to navigate, especially in a country in which political and social issues are increasingly being viewed from the extremes of the two dominant political persuasions, far-left and far-right wings. It could be easy for a person or […]