Interesting articles in the second issue of Al-Kalima:
The second edition of Al Kalima, the bulletin for the Nazareth Center for Christian Studies, was released in September 2007 with the title Paving the Way for Theology, for Life, picturing Rev. Dr. Bryson Arthur on the front page on the day the new parking lot was paved. Dr. Arthur is the director of NCCS, which is an initiative of the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel. The magazine, published by NCCS, seeks to communicate not only what is happening at the Center, but also to relay current events in the Galilee evangelical scene. In this edition, readers will find several interesting articles, including two on the issue of Christian identity.
First in the sequence of identity-related articles is a piece by Dr. Arthur on Arab Christian identity where he defines the concept of the new human race as a heavenly identity and re-affirms the divine command to die to our old selves. Using authoritative scriptural groundwork, Dr. Bryson classifies the “culture of heaven.” Second, in the sequence is an article by Lisa Loden on Messianic Jewish identity. Lisa heads the NCCS leadership program and until recently was the director of the Caspari Center for Biblical and Jewish studies in Jerusalem. In this article, she explores the complex issue of Jewish identity within the realm of Jewish culture, especially here in Israel. Following the articles on identity is an interview with the remarkable Arab Christian scholar Yohanna Katanacho. In this interview, he details his journey towards attaining his Ph.D. in the USA at Trinity International University and working towards a thesis and how the Lord has blessed him in his studies thus far.
Also included in the issue is an article by ABC volunteer Hannah Byrd on the lives of Dwight and Emma Baker. The Bakers were Southern Baptist missionaries who served in Nazareth for many years in the nineteen fifties and sixties and played a significant role in the early development of the Nazareth Baptist Church. Their original home now houses both the ABC and NCCS and they are distinguished patrons of the educational program and facilities. Another article of interest is a piece by Hanan Akleh-Jideh on the presence of women in Jesus’ life. It investigates the female presence in the earthly life of our Lord and draws from numerous biblical sources to make a strong case for Jesus’ equal love and attention to the women in his life.
Additionally, the magazine features an announcement from the ABC chairman, Monther Naom, who was elected in June of 2007, as well as a section on developments with Baptist House, which functions as headquarters for ABC and the location for NCCS. There are also sections on current events, news from NCCS and other Christian schools in the region.
To download a copy of the second issue of Al-Kalima, please press here.