Category: faith and politics

The Crisis of International Students in Canada and Christ’s Call to Peacemaking

June 14, 2025

International students surged to over 1 million in 2023 in Canada, and make up almost two-thirds of the students enrolled in higher education–30% of Canada’s total student population. This is a share higher than any other hosting country in the world. Such unprecedented population growth with its demographic distribution features has created a complex crisis of international students, triggering a largely negative response from the Canadian pubic and significant policy interventions from the Canadian government. What does the Christian faith have to say in times like this? … More The Crisis of International Students in Canada and Christ’s Call to Peacemaking

A Small Feast of Scholarly Work Celebrating 30 Years of Global Scholars Canada

March 5, 2025

A summary of a 6-book launching ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Global Scholars Canada. A rich feast of Christian scholarship, meant to feed the world with good ideas that lead to social change in league with the kingdom of God. … More A Small Feast of Scholarly Work Celebrating 30 Years of Global Scholars Canada

Lausanne 2024 in Seoul: Partnership in Evangelism and Justice for a Troubled Planet

October 10, 2024

Read my post-congress reflections upon return from Korea, focusing on some of the stories, strategies, and stumbling blocks that made up my experience on the other side of the planet, with 5000 other delegates. … More Lausanne 2024 in Seoul: Partnership in Evangelism and Justice for a Troubled Planet

Faith in China’s Universities: Students, Professors, and Growing Global Networks

June 19, 2024

Here we present personal stories of Christians in China’s universities–testimonies from students, professors, and from those in the diaspora. China has a longer relationship with Christianity than you might guess… … More Faith in China’s Universities: Students, Professors, and Growing Global Networks

Church Music, Conflict and Reconciliation: Scriptural, Spiritual, Sonic, and Symbolic Implications

December 7, 2023

Music is a common conflict source within congregations, but worship wars are not the only reason for Sunday morning to be tense. How can we work toward reconciliation through music and other parts of our worship services? In a world so torn by conflict, can the church model some peace-making? … More Church Music, Conflict and Reconciliation: Scriptural, Spiritual, Sonic, and Symbolic Implications

State Control of Religious Education in Public Schools: The Need for Critical Religious Literacy Beyond State Interests

August 22, 2023

Leo Van Arragon argues that our children are being done a deep disservice if they only receive anemic religious classes that are sanctioned only to benefit the state. He posits a new critical form of religious literacy that helps students develop a deeper sense of meaning in their life–while understanding others’ religion more accurately. … More State Control of Religious Education in Public Schools: The Need for Critical Religious Literacy Beyond State Interests

“Letters from Moscow”: The Opening and Closing of Russia, a Thousand Year History

June 22, 2023

What is happening in Russia that it would sacrifice its young men, military budget, Ukrainian relatives, and Western relations in an attack on Ukraine? Global Scholars Canada asked a few of its scholars and some academic friends to weigh in on the larger historical, political, and ecclesiastical context behind the war that continues to rage in eastern Ukraine. … More “Letters from Moscow”: The Opening and Closing of Russia, a Thousand Year History

Russia: Putin, Political Culture and the Weakness of Institutions

April 19, 2022

Guest blog from Dr. David Koyzis demonstrates that “a constitution will succeed only if it reflects the wishes of the people for whom it is written.” Read some background here to Putin’s autocratic regime, and note the role of traditions in constitutional development. … More Russia: Putin, Political Culture and the Weakness of Institutions

Engaging the Global Polylogue: Why Listen to Christians in the Majority World When it Comes to Sexual Ethics?

December 1, 2021

Is the majority world on the wrong side of history when it comes to sexual ethics? Where harsh laws exist criminalizing homosexual acts, it seems to be true. But Western arrogance in declaring the direction of history could be seen as the vestiges of colonialism. What about the church? Who is having their ethics sullied by their social context? Here I don’t give all the answers, but I do raise some issues and say we can at least start by listening to each other. … More Engaging the Global Polylogue: Why Listen to Christians in the Majority World When it Comes to Sexual Ethics?