Bible and Mission

 I love the country of my birth, South Africa.  My grandparents are buried in Polokwane (Pietersburg).  My parents planted churches in the Orange Free State and Transvaal and started a Bible college in the Western Cape in the mid- to late 20th century.  Our family's legacy in the country is that of Christian ministry among mostly black rural and urban contexts. South Africa is currently in the news for several reasons, and I thought I would share links to some of my writing touching on South Africa over the years as well as two other articles and two videos addressing current news on the country.  In my view, South Africa is a fragile country that could easily go one way or another in its politics, economy, violence, racism, academic institutions, and ecclesiastical health.  It has been in constant decline under ANC leadership for thirty years.  The country also needs wise engagement through mission agencies, churches, and Evangelical denominations wor...

  Introduction   After decades of the exclusion of religion—Christianity in particular—from the classroom in American education, the Oklahoma State Superintendent called for schools to incorporate the Bible and the Ten Commandments in their curricula. [1]   This return to an earlier approach in education in America follows an increasing concern that children should be taught values—Christian values in particular.  Christian religion is privileged in the curriculum.  Can such a ruling stand opposition from those denouncing Christianity in the culture on the grounds that the government shall not establish any religion?  One might think that the argument stands on stronger grounds in England, where there is an established religion, the Church of England.  However, the English are in general even more secular than the Americans, and the Church of England is uncertain of its faith at best and undermining its historic teaching on key theological and moral ...