Ataturk put the beauty of the Hagia Sophia on exhibition for the world to see, but in 2020, Erdogan repurposed the space to display Islam. As a result, a visit hides multiple Christian sacred items once displayed for touring. This write-up will detail the hidden Christianity that the Hagia Sophia now shuns. In January 2024, the status and entrance of the site changed. Before, the balcony was off-limits, but now the ground floor and courtyard are no longer accessible through a normal entrance.
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Searching Below the Surface – Look at unexpected Islamic ideas.
In reading, Searching Below the Surface: A Deeper Look at Covenant and Contract, one expects simple answers to complex issues. However, exploring a much-needed contrast between how the God of the Bible functions in a covenant manner and the Islamic Allah in a contractual way will take the reader into a Scripture dig. The foundations help one to understand marriage as an outcome of these beliefs, leading each of us to discover why biblical marriage is a covenant, not contractual – like Islam.
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Hidden Crosses in Archaeology Museum Istanbul – Storage Section
On the far end of the courtyard of the Archaeology Museum is the office building where Istanbul Christian ruins remain dormant in the corridor. All too often, I find the Christian ruins in corners stacked side by side and/or outside in a gathering area of ruined remains.
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Antalya Bell Tower – Whoops! Clock Tower Walking Tour
The Antalya Clock Tower, recently renovated in 2024, centers in a prime location on the edge of the old city of Kaleici. The tower displays a mix of Seljuk, Ottoman, and Greek influences on the city. Within the tower are marble pieces, most likely from Byzantine buildings, which the Seljuks placed within the tower.
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Is Jihad in the Bible?
Jihad is an Arabic word that means struggle. In many circles, it refers to the allowance to fight and conquer those who do not follow the Islamic path. In the Old Testament, many wars, as well as the conquering and destruction of other peoples, occurred that seem to be similar. Is Jihad today like the Old Testament? Let’s analyze some differences between judgments in the Old Testament and Islamic Jihad.
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Can Christians Rejoice in the Calamity of Others?
Christians do not rejoice in calamity but depend on God to move and deliver. On the streets of Iran on May 20, 2024, many were rejoicing in the death of Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi. Now, throughout the Middle East, many are rejoicing in the death of Hassan Nasrallah (Sept. 28, 2024). Christians faced hardships in both locations and will sense a tinge of emotion on this news.
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Christian History in Seoul – Graves and Buildings
In only 160 years since the first missionaries arrived in Korea a great turning to Christ occurred. The center of Seoul provides a great experience in finding out what these missionaries in Korea did right. I have mapped out a walking/subway tour that one can follow in a day or when in certain parts of the city.
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A Covenant Wedding Prayer
This is an example of a prayer of dedication for a wedding that commits the couple to a covenant marriage. It is similar to the one I prayed for my son’s wedding. I encourage you to use it as a template and personalize it.
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