Saturday, 20 August 2016
Four Regions Likely to Become War Zones
1.) Eastern Europe
Ever since Russian forces worked with Crimeans to have Crimea join Russia. The annexation has been recognized by almost no countries in the international community. After two years Ukraine's President has warned that it will retake Crimea by way of an invasion. Russia is more than capable of ending a war with Ukraine in less than a year: the real danger comes if NATO plans to help Ukraine maintain it's sovereignty.
2.) The Middle East
Israel and Iran have been enemies for decades. What makes war particularly likely is the recent Iran Deal which will give Iran excess to a stronger economy. Israel fears Iran will use this to upgrade its military which is already the second strongest country in the region after Israel. It's likely that Israel will seek to cripple the nation which has so often called for its death within the next five years.
3.) Western Asia
India and Pakistan have also had a poor relationship since independence from the British. Recently on the 70th anniversary for both countries India's President Modi criticized Pakistan for its treatment of the people of Balochristian; a state in the south-west. This issue has raised tensions between the two countries both of which have nuclear arms.
4.) South China Sea
In south-east Asia China has been building artificial islands in disputed waters. No country in the region has anywhere near the military power to protect their claimed waters. America however has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.
Friday, 19 August 2016
Countries Where Evangelicals Hold Political Power
I.) Map
II.) The Americas
III.) Africa
IV.) Asia
V.) Oceania
II.) The Americas
In the Americas there are seven highly Evangelical countries: the majority of Evangelicals live in America in which Evangelism has been part of the national identity since the 1730's when the First Great Awakening took place. In the Caribbean the Protestant countries are the most Evangelical: Countries like Jamaica, the Bahamas and Barbados all are more than 30% Evangelical.
In the mainland countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicargua are all Catholic majority countries but that hasn't stopped all three from gaining Evangelical populations from 10% to as much as 31%.
Evangelicalism has grown most quickly in Brazil: In 1970 only 5% of Brazilians identified as Evangelical, just forty years later about a quarter identify as Evangelical. If the trend continues Brazil will be an Evangelical majority country by 2060.
In almost every Latin America country Evangelicals make up more than 10% of the national population.
III.) Africa
The most Evangelical country in Africa is Kenya where over 40% identify as Evangelical. Joining Kenya is nearby Uganda (36.8%), the Central African Republic (33.4%) and Nigeria (30.6%). 82 million Evangelicals lived in these four countries alone in 2010; over 100 million others live throughout sub-Saharan Africa most of whom live in Protestant majority countries.
IV.) Asia
Korea has a history of being highly Christian in fact Pyongyang (now North Korea's capital) was known as the "Jerusalem of the East". This ended in the 1950's as the communist regime sought to wipe out Christianity. In South Korea Christianity grew so that today more than 20% of South Koreans identify as Evangelical. The Koreans along with the Chinese are known to be particularly devout. In South Korea's case it sends out more missionaries than every country except for America. They do this despite the fact there are only about 12 million Korean Evangelicals (compared to America's Evangelical population of 90 million in 2010.)
In all other Asian countries Evangelicals make up less than 10% of the total population.
V.) Oceania
In Oceania the most Evangelical countries are Papua New Guinea and the Marshall Islands. Evangelism is however common on almost every island; the major exemption being Funtuna Islands where less than 3% of the inhabitants identify as Evangelical.
In Australia, a country of 24 million people, between 10-15% identify as Evangelical.
Thursday, 18 August 2016
John Piper: The Most Influential Reformed Evangelical on Earth
He's a seventy year old man who lives far from the Bible-belt and he's become one of most influential Evangelicals on earth. On Twitter he has more than 800,000 followers, his podcast "Ask Pastor John" has attracted tens of thousands and he's written over forty books that keep selling.
He's John Piper and here's ten things you should know about him:
1.) He's a true believer: Mr. Piper was born in Tennessee and raised in South Carolina his father was a traveling preacher and his mother was also a devout Christian. He attended Wheaten college in Illinois to major in literature and get a minor in philosophy. John wanted to go into Pre-Med school but after dealing with health problems decided instead to study Theology in California. In 1971 he graduated Fuller Seminar with a Master's of Divinity Degree. He wasn't done: he moved to Munich, in what was then West Germany to do doctoral studies in the New Testament. After returning to America he became a Professor and taught in St. Paul, Minnesota until 1980 when at age 34 he became Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist church; a position he held for over thirty years. What perhaps shows his devotion the most is when towards the later years before retirement he was diagnosed with cancer, he released this statement:
"This news has, of course, been good for me. The most dangerous thing in the world is the sin of self-reliance and the stupor of worldliness. The news of cancer has a wonderfully blasting effect on both. I thank God for that. The times with Christ in these days have been unusually sweet."
2.) He has a family: John Piper married a women named Noel in 1968, she's into literature and is of course also an Evangelical. He had four sons and one daughter; a few decades later he is a grandfather to twelve children.
3.) He's anti-racism: Growing up in the American south in the 50's Mr. Piper's environment was a racist one. Although it's unclear how much it effected his views early in life what is clear is that he would go on to preach against racism in no uncertain terms.
4.) He's Theologically Reformed--and that's a big reason he's popular: This article isn't designed to go into detail about Evangelical Theology. What can be said is that Evangelical Christianity (and Protestantism generally) can be split between Arminism (which focuses on "You choosing Jesus") and Calvinism (which focuses on "Jesus choosing you") the term Reformed refers to an Evangelical who believes in Calvinism. Reformed theology has becoming more popular since the 90's and in recent years has been very popular among young Evangelicals.
5.) He greatly opposes the "prosperity Gospel": The prosperity Gospel is the message that accepting Christ's Atonement in faith and repenting from one's sins means that you will become wealthy, healthy and more successful in your lives' endeavors. John Piper has criticized the teaching so popular among televangelists (especially in past decades): he says that it makes him angry, he hates it and in 2009 sat down to explain why he "abominates it." (Video here.)
6.) He describes himself as a "Christian Hedonist": John Piper's personal struggle with depression may well have lead to him promoting the idea of Christian Hedonism wherein the Christian takes great pleasure and joy in his or her life in accordance with the teachings of Jesus not sinful gain. "God is most glorified in you, when you are most satisfied in Him." is popular quote from Mr. Piper.
He explains what he means here.
7.) He's a prolific writer: Mr. Piper is the author of over forty books and is still writing. In addition to his books he puts out poetry every Christmas season.
8.) He's not very political: Although like most Reformed Pastors Piper has spoken against abortion and the redefining of marriage he's been hesitate to call for specific political action. He's not without he's critics for this.
9.) He's part the Gospel Coalition: The Gospel Coalition is a group of Reformed Evangelicals who are seeking to reform Evangelical Christianity as a whole. He is among other respected leaders like John MacArthur, Voddie Baucham and Tim Keller.
10.) He will almost certainly be remembered as a saint: Although he's not without his criticism from Arminians or political activists it is almost certain that for millions of people from America,
South Africa, Singapore, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and a number of other countries John Piper will be remembered as saint who had an influence on their lives.
Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Monday, 15 August 2016
Monotheism Map (2016)
Monotheism (the belief that there is one God) is most common in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Oceania. Ironically, even though Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism were founded in Asia, Asians remain the least accepting of Monotheism.
Historically Monotheism was common has been widely accepted in North Africa, Europe and the Middle East since 700 AD it spread rapidly to the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania over the last 500 years,
Protestantism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Judaism, Sunni Islam, Shiite Islam and Sikhism are all considered Monotheistic.
Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism and Taoism are not.
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