This Week in Word from the Bird

Christians in the Middle East, Reading Romans 13 in Myanmar, and the pitfall of Oppressors vs. Oppressed!

Photo by Saw Wunna from Unspash

I am back in Australia, getting ready for a new academic year, getting my ducks for 2024 in a row. Here is what is slated for this week:

Monday: From the Holy Mountain (Free Sign-Ups)
My review of William Dalrymple’s From the Holy Mountain: A Journey among the Christians of the Middle East. In sum, a fascinating read for anyone interested in the story and plight of Christians in the Middle East.

Tuesday: Excerpt from Jesus and the Powers (Free Sign-Ups)
I provide the preface from the new Tom Wright and Mike Bird book about the kingdom of God and political theology. I explain why we wrote this book and what this book is about with a chapter by chapter breakdown. Pre-order Today!

Wednesday: Submit to the Military Authority? Reading Rom 13:1-7 in Myanmar (Free Sign-Ups)
Dr. David Moe discusses the theological response of churches in Myanmar to the 2021 coup, focusing on the interpretation of Romans 13:1-7. The text presents a dilemma, questioning whether it justifies blind obedience to the coup-led state or provides the basis for resistance. Important stuff to consider!

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Friday: Not Everything Can Be Reduced to "Oppressor" vs. "Oppressed" (Paid Subscribers)
In today's complex and contested world, it is tempting to simplify ethical and political issues into a binary framework of oppressors versus oppressed, where one side is deemed inherently good and the other side is deemed inherently evil. However, this reductionist approach is dangerously misleading and ultimately detrimental to the cause of human freedom and moral reasoning.