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30/08/2024

The red horizons are shattered. But much more subtle dangers loom for the present and the future. In most Christian countries, theology has declared a truce with evolutionary atheology and has devised a foolish and deadly compromise that is neither atheism nor true Christianity.

28/08/2024

What we do in our free time reveals who we are when we step out of the whirlwind of daily tasks. But the projects and relationships to which we devote our free moments also reveal who we will become. At the end of the journey, people see the value of every second much more clearly, and often realise that rest—physical rest, but more importantly, soul rest—is as precious a gift as work.

When we become Christians, everything changes, including how we spend our free time, because what we do is focused on God and not on ourselves.

25/08/2024

Some statistics circulated by the international press have created an increasingly negative image of Christians and Christianity. How well-founded is this image, and how should those targeted by it deal with it?

The more intelligent we are, the less likely we are to believe in God, according to a recent meta-research that analysed the results of studies conducted over a period of almost a century. Coordinated by Miron Zuckerman, a psychologist at the University of Rochester, the research examined the results of 63 studies (the earliest dating back to 1920), all of which looked at the relationship between intelligence and religiosity. Most of these studies found that the more intelligent people were, the less likely they were to be religious. “The relation between intelligence and religion is negative,” Zuckerman said, telling the press that “it was very early in the study that [they] realised that.”

Forum researchers also found that more educated people tend to be more knowledgeable about religion than less educated people.

21/08/2024

Could it be that, beyond economic, political or geostrategic difficulties, there are obstacles to the ideal of the common good that are inherent in human nature? And if something specific to human nature stood in the way of achieving this ideal, would it not lead to failure, regardless of overcoming all other difficulties?

Could it be that, beyond economic, political or geostrategic difficulties, there are obstacles to the ideal of the common good that are inherent in human nature?

19/08/2024

There is a poignant poem by the young Nicolae Labiș, a profound thinker and visionary who tragically passed away at the age of 21, that warns of the danger of wasting one’s life.

Reading it again recently inspired us to craft this message for the younger generation, considering relevant bio-psycho-cognitive characteristics, in the hope of offering useful suggestions. We’ve condensed our thoughts as if this were our only chance to communicate directly, aiming to be as comprehensive as possible through a text that allows time for solitary, lucid reflection.

Young people could spare themselves much unspoken turmoil, mistrust, disorientation, and rash actions if they understood that God does not change.

18/08/2024

This question is asked by critics who want to point out the social, cultural and contextual nature of the Christian religion, and its relativism, presenting it as a product of society rather than of revelation.

This question is asked by critics who want to point out the social, cultural and contextual nature of the Christian religion, and its relativism.

18/08/2024

American psychologist Barry Schwartz’s counterintuitive study argues uncomfortably similarly to communist philosophy, while offering a stunning argument for Christianity, the enemy of communism.

American psychologist Barry Schwartz's counterintuitive study argues uncomfortably similarly with communist philosophy, while offering a stunning argument for Christianity, the enemy of communism.

17/08/2024

To know God is an aspiration inherent in the rational being who recognises His existence.

He is the Alpha and the Omega, the immortal and ever-present One, the omnipotent and omniscient One, the Creator who expresses the ideal of every being, of every existence.

Every supreme virtue is embodied in Him and becomes the absolute standard of goodness. No matter how great a value we may imagine, God surpasses it, and the very fact that we can conceive of such a supreme Being indicates the necessity of His existence.

If we accept the idea of His existence, it becomes inevitable that we will seek Him, whether out of desire or love.

To know God is an aspiration inherent in the rational being who recognises His existence. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the immortal and ever-present One.

11/08/2024

In a world dominated by artificiality and instant gratification, we are becoming masters at controlling our circumstances and environment.

Is everything God does for our absolute good? By Laurentiu Nistor - August 9, 2024 5 In a world dominated by artificiality and instant gratification, we are becoming masters at controlling our circumstances and environment. Our ability to find quick fixes and fulfil our desires as quickly as possibl...

06/08/2024

Let me paint you a picture of Esther Moo’s life, one of approximately 1959 Karen refugees who migrated to Australia between 2009 and 2010.

Burma to Brisbane: Esther Moo’s story By Zanita Fletcher - August 5, 2024 6 Let me paint you a picture of Esther Moo’s life, one of approximately 1959 Karen refugees who migrated to Australia between 2009 and 2010. I first met Esther at a school in South–East Queensland that we had both recent...

03/08/2024

The question of human suffering concerns atheists and believers alike. For the former, the search for an answer drives them to the heights of despair. For the latter, suffering inevitably poses a dilemma: why is there so much suffering in the world if the God who created it is loving and omnipotent?

The question of human suffering concerns atheists and believers alike. For the former, the search for an answer drives them to the heights of despair.

30/07/2024

“When I was little, I felt that God was with me, but now I feel so lonely! I wonder if God really was with me back then”.

What happens when, having felt God close to us, we find that we no longer feel Him? Does He move away from us? Or us from Him? I would say now, after years of experiencing this relationship with Him, that it is neither!

"When I was little, I felt that God was with me, but now I feel so lonely! I wonder if God really was with me back then".

28/07/2024

Our number of friends tends to decrease as we get older, but this trend, which has many negative effects, can be actively combated even when old age has already set in.

26/07/2024

When I look at the lives of some people, I can’t help but wonder if they are cut from a different cloth to most of us. Their courage in the face of challenges, their resilience, their vision and their achievements are so impressive that my imagination wonders what the world would look like if their passion were multiplied.

Cut from a different cloth By Andreea Irimia - July 26, 2024 5 When I look at the lives of some people, I can’t help but wonder if they are cut from a different cloth to most of us. Their courage in the face of challenges, their resilience, their vision and their achievements are so impressive tha...

25/07/2024

We love stories, and Hollywood knows how to dramatise them. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that Hollywood is first and foremost an industry driven by ratings and profits. Children are more vulnerable and more likely than adults to pick up identity models from the film world.

Film is a universal language, capable of ending wars and bringing peace between people, said David Wark Griffith, a pioneer of the film industry and famous film director of the early 20th century.

19/07/2024

12/07/2024

Happy Sabbath!

08/07/2024

“We need a Bible like this,” said Reverend Richard Cizik, Vice President of the National Association of Evangelicals in America, at the launch of the first Green Bible in 2010. Current environmental issues demand an ecological Bible, where passages about the quality of divine creation and care for nature entrusted to us by God are highlighted in green, Cizik says.

How many Bibles does one person need? By Eliza Vlădescu - July 5, 2024 16 “We need a Bible like this,” said Reverend Richard Cizik, Vice President of the National Association of Evangelicals in America, at the launch of the first Green Bible in 2010. Current environmental issues demand an ecolo...

04/07/2024

No other court in the world can or should judge a person as effectively as their own conscience. Before and immediately after a wrong has been done, the “merciless” trial begins.

Facing the two doors By Nicu Butoi - July 1, 2024 6 No other court in the world can or should judge a person as effectively as their own conscience. Before and immediately after a wrong has been done, the “merciless” trial begins. On two occasions David’s heart pounded, once when the thought o...

27/06/2024

Eye-catching banners on high-traffic websites, marketing campaigns, genuine or illusory discounts, deals that vanish in seconds. Shopping lists, fierce price hunts, early morning alarms. Jumping the gun, millions in sales, ecstatic or dissatisfied customers, delayed deliveries, and blown budgets. In a word: Black Friday.

Am I materialist enough to resist materialism? By Carmen Lăiu - June 27, 2024 4 Eye-catching banners on high-traffic websites, marketing campaigns, genuine or illusory discounts, deals that vanish in seconds. Shopping lists, fierce price hunts, early morning alarms. Jumping the gun, millions in sal...

24/06/2024

“People can’t live on bread alone. They also need hope. Set your hope loose!”

That’s the message from David Hamilton, author of How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body. He adds that we should hope for great things because, “Hope is healthy on many levels: mentally, emotionally and physically.”

People can’t live on bread alone. They also need hope. Significantly, your hope can be “contagious” and transferable to others. “When someone loses hope, your hope can be infectious.”

19/06/2024

“Yes, we eat grass and we’re proud of it because it demonstrates that, with God’s power, we can do anything,” is the statement and belief of young Rosemary Phetha as reported in the Times Live.

Is Christianity only an emotional experience? By Nicu Butoi - June 17, 2024 8 “Yes, we eat grass and we’re proud of it because it demonstrates that, with God’s power, we can do anything,” is the statement and belief of young Rosemary Phetha as reported in the Times Live. Rosemary is a 31-yea...

05/06/2024

What conclusion can be drawn from the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee and the parable of the Great Banquet? When a person repents of the wrong he or she has done and decides to live a new life by God’s grace, that person is placed in front of many who, like the Pharisee, believe they are entitled to the places of honour, but who, in God’s eyes, do not actually deserve them.

George R.R. Martin surely struck gold when he began writing A Song of Ice and Fire.

02/06/2024

The diversity and divergence of religious beliefs clearly indicate that not all religious doctrines and perspectives can be true. Throughout history, there have been vastly different universal religions, each with multiple interpretations and denominations. We have religions, not just “religion.” However, if there is one true religion that respects truth, freedom, and intelligence, the myth of myths collapses.

We have religions, not just “religion.” If there is one true religion that respects truth, freedom, and intelligence, the myth of myths collapses.

01/06/2024

Many doomsayers have “cried wolf” when it comes to the end of the world. Does that mean it’s not going to happen at all?

Three Times the World Nearly Ended By Jesse Herford - May 31, 2024 8 Many doomsayers have “cried wolf” when it comes to the end of the world. Does that mean it’s not going to happen at all? It’s AD 66. Following a rebellion in Judea, Roman general Vespasian was tasked by Emperor Nero to put ...

22/05/2024

The ability to imagine alternatives to events that have already occurred distinguishes humans from other creatures and machines—artificial intelligence has not yet succeeded in creating a device that can devise counterfactual scenarios. The fact that we can travel in an imaginary time and rewrite our actions and their outcomes can prove to be an advantage or can lead to dysfunctional emotional and cognitive consequences.

In the world of “what if” | Why we are drawn to counterfactual thinking By Carmen Lăiu - May 21, 2024 6 The ability to imagine alternatives to events that have already occurred distinguishes humans from other creatures and machines—artificial intelligence has not yet succeeded in creating a d...

18/05/2024

In Mexico, diabetic retinopathy is a significant challenge. Professor Pedro Gomez is the director of the Ophthalmology Institute of the University Hospital of Montemorelos in Mexico, renowned for the highest number of eye surgeries in Latin America.

The light of the eyes and mind By Adrian Bocăneanu - May 17, 2024 7 In Mexico, diabetic retinopathy[1] is a significant challenge. Professor Pedro Gomez is the director of the Ophthalmology Institute of the University Hospital of Montemorelos in Mexico, renowned for the highest number of eye surger...

17/05/2024

In Mexico, diabetic retinopathy is a significant challenge. Professor Pedro Gomez is the director of the Ophthalmology Institute of the University Hospital of Montemorelos in Mexico, renowned for the highest number of eye surgeries in Latin America.

The light of the eyes and mind By Adrian Bocăneanu - May 17, 2024 2 In Mexico, diabetic retinopathy[1] is a significant challenge. Professor Pedro Gomez is the director of the Ophthalmology Institute of the University Hospital of Montemorelos in Mexico, renowned for the highest number of eye surger...