7 Big Faith & Culture Stories of the Week: Antisemitism, Christian Persecution, Hope — and One Politician's Fight For Freedom
The biggest faith and culture stories of the week.
There’s a lot going on in America right now. Chaos, anger, consternation, confusion, and division. This weekly recap is my attempt to point to the important stories — the things we all need to know about what’s unfolding.
And I can’t start today’s newsletter without first focusing on Jochen “Jack” Wurfl. This Holocaust survivor knows the horrors antisemitism can breed. He was forced to hide out and conceal his Jewish identity — and lost nearly every family member during Adolf Hitler’s reign.
He recently spoke with me about his worries amid anti-Israel sentiment and campus protests, holding little back.
“It’s frightening, because it could end up in the same sort of situation eventually,” Wurfl said of spiraling antisemitism that many have compared to the situation before Hitler launched his murderous quest. “I just don’t understand it. How people can feel like this again — that they don’t know what happened during the Holocaust, back during Hitler’s regime?”
It was a truly sobering conversation. Read or watch it here.
Meanwhile, Christian persecution continues to rage in Nigeria, with the killing of a pastor sparking the latest concern about out-of-control violence.
“Most Americans have no idea what’s going on in Nigeria, but imagine this: for the last 20 years, probably up to about 100,000 Christians have been murdered,” International Christian Concern leader Jeff King recently told me. “Three-and-a-half million Christians, their lands have been taken from them, and the government’s pretty much done nothing.” Read more about the situation here.
On the entertainment front, Candace Cameron Bure continues her mission of bringing hope, faith, and love to Hollywood. Her new “Unsung Hero” film is powerful, as is her mission of spreading God’s love within the industry.
“It’s pretty incredible from the people that I’ve walked hand-in-hand with and encouraged along the way,” Bure told me. “And just to have a small part of knowing that I planted a seed, or maybe spoke a word that encouraged them along to become a believer — or strengthen their faith in Christ.” Check out the interview.
Meanwhile, as the world continues to mourn the death of Christian singer Mandisa, we’re reminded of what a powerful, forgiving person she was — and this tribute to her from Danny Gokey, Melinda Doolittle, and Colton Dixon was incredibly moving (watch it here).
Meanwhile, I was also pretty impacted by this conversation I had with Heather Rice-Minus, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship. If I’m honest, I hadn’t considered the many ways ex-prisoners still struggle after their release. The discussion forced me to ponder grace, forgiveness – and second chances.
“If we believe in the message of grace, if we believe in the message of redemption, then we have to believe it, not just selectively, but for everyone,” Rice-Minus told me. “And, so, that includes people who are in prison.”
I also need to highlight this wild story: Finland’s Supreme Court has announced it will take up a contentious case against a Christian politician who has faced a years-long legal battle for sharing her biblical views on sexuality. Dr. Päivi Räsänen’s punishment for simply tweeting a Bible verse and sharing her views is deeply troubling.
“I have … a peaceful mind and I am ready to continue to defend free speech and freedom of religion before the Supreme Court,” she said after the announcement. Read more here.
Plus, here in the U.S., another pastor is locked in a battle with his local government over his refusal to stop housing the homeless. I have plenty more stories over here, so we’ll leave it there for now. But be sure to listen to my weekly podcast “Higher Ground” where I join other TV hosts and journalists to break down some of the most important faith and culture stories (subscribe here):