War and Peace in Christian Tradition

What are some wise insights and necessary points of reflection that we, Christian or not, should take heed of when confronted with violence, war and the question of justice?

Erik Johnson | MIT et Spiritus | Fall 2016

Metaphysics in the Poetry of W. B. Yeats and T. S. Eliot

The question of the purpose of poetry as such is not simply academic or theoretical, but is grounded in understanding how poetry can and ought to relate to contemporary culture.

Nicholas Westberg | The Wheaton Pub | Spring 2016

Discerning Fact from Fiction: Christianity’s Middle Eastern Heritage

First, the Western-Christian imagination has in many ways hijacked the Jesus story, and changed it into a distinctly Western narrative that deviates from the history and truth of the real biblical setting.

Sharidan Russell | The Dartmouth Apologia | Fall 2016

Review of The Global War on Christians

In the present day, the International Society for Human Rights estimates that 80% of all acts of religious persecution are perpetrated against Christians.

Paul Escher | St Olaf Avodah | Spring 2015

Faithful Activism

These forms of resistance are a reflection of that most radical message of all—that each of us is loved and valued and worthy in the eyes of God. No exceptions.

Joyce Tompkins | Swarthmore Peripateo | Spring 2017

Postmodernism and the Paradox of Tolerance

Postmodernism conflates truth and personhood, and in doing so confines the person to a state of perpetual insecurity and vulnerability. It is this fear of violence that prevents modern persons from recognizing the inherent dignity of their peers.

Joshua Tseng-Tham | The Dartmouth Apologia | Spring 2017

The Year of Mercy: A Retrospective

Before the summer of 2016 began, I remember telling my spiritual director that I felt God wanted to teach me about mercy, especially with my favorite job: counseling a local summer camp for kids.

Michael Miskovski | The Columbia Crown & Cross | Spring 2017

Nonviolent Action and the Revolution of the Cross

In fact, in line with this trend of “questioning institutions”, MIT has recently announced a $250,000 award to further encourage “extraordinary civil, non-violent disobedience for the benefit of society.” But why is this all happening?

Matthew Chun | MIT et Spiritus | Spring 2017

Who Are the Middle Eastern Christians?

Westerners’ broad concern for Middle Eastern Christians was and is well intentioned, but poorly informed, in part due to apathy and in part due to the lack of resources on the subject.

Christian Šidák | The Harvard Ichthus | Fall 2016

Christianity, Social Revolutions, and the Way Forward

Marx’s beliefs about Christianity’s relationship to social change is contrary to what Christianity itself teaches about social change.

Josh Alexakos | The Dartmouth Apologia | Spring 2016

Forgiveness and Justice

We do not forgive because we seek to appease white America who feels guilt and shame for not speaking out that black lives matter.

Emani Pollard | The Cornell Claritas | Fall 2015

On the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

In studying historical events of antiquity, a historian must deal with the data at hand and attempt to ascertain the truth of a matter with varying degrees of certainty.

Sam Paek | The Hopkins Dialectic | Spring 2016

Is Genesis 1 Really About Creationism?

A quick confession: I used to be really, really creationist.

Colin Aitken | MIT et Spiritus | Spring 2016

Death and Darwinism: A Patristic Approach

The Fall is the means by which Christian theology accounts for the disparity between the purported character of God and the tragic state of our world.

Christopher Iacovetti | The Wheaton Pub | Fall 2015

Religion in the Age of Religious Terrorism

Now, clearly a line is drawn somewhere between going to church and acts of terrorism, but is there a fundamental difference?

Thomas Hale | The Brown & RISD Cornerstone | Fall 2015

The Problem of Evil: An Ichthus Roundtable

In addition to our own thoughts, we provide links to a wide variety of pieces on the problem of evil by professional philosophers.

The Harvard Ichthus Staff | The Harvard Ichthus | Fall 2015

Forgiving the Unforgivable

Before his killing spree began, he had spent an hour with them at their weekly Bible study, in the basement of Emmanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Jeremy Candelas | The Cornell Claritas | Fall 2015

The Rhetoric of Worldviews: Narratives of Violence and Peace

On September 16, 2014, an incident occurred at James Madison University (JMU) that soon attracted the attention of national media news outlets.

Jake Casale | The Dartmouth Apologia | Spring 2015

The Relevancy of Quakerism

The guidance of the Quaker Testimonies (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, service and stewardship) could not be more relevant to today’s oppressive, materialistic, and war-torn world.

Mary Chawaga | Claremont Ekklesia | Spring 2015

Jesus, America and the Middle East

Throughout my upbringing and young adulthood, I have been confronted by Jesus’ amazing and radical love while also witnessing unloving political acts directed at those affiliated with the Middle East.

Danica Harootian | The Claremont Ekklesia | Fall 2014

Calling a New Humanity

What was it about Jesus that allowed him to bring Jews and Greeks together into “one new humanity?”

Enoch Kuo | Princeton Revisions |

Constantinople Captured! Ambition, Violence, and the Disunity of Christianity

How did Christians – who believe in peace – succumb to violence in this episode, and how do human failings affect the unity of Christians? Let us first consider the historical event.

Margaret Eichner | The Harvard Ichthus | Fall 2013

Love Pain

Retaliation is only fair. It is widely accepted that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. It is only natural. But nothing about the Gospel is natural.

Joshua Joo | UC Berkeley TAUG | Fall 2013

Love Your Enemies: A Radical Call to Christian Pacifism

“But!” you cry – I can almost hear it now – what about saving society from criminals, and children from murderers, and Europe from Hitler, and America from the Terrorists? In sum, what about all the innocent people whom we have a duty to protect from the evildoers?

Nathan Otey | The Harvard Ichthus | Spring 2013

January 2018