Pope Francis is critical but stable as “lifewatch” continues
The current vigil for Pope Francis, referred to as a “lifewatch,” emphasizes the importance of reflection, contemplation, and prayer within the Catholic Church. This period is seen as a time for the Church to prepare for the possibility of the Pope’s passing. See latest from National Catholic Register here.
Alfred Street Baptist Church Ends Contract with Kennedy Center:
Alfred Street Baptist Church in Virginia has decided to end its contract with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts due to the center’s new leadership. The church cited the new leadership’s opposition to honoring artistic expression across all backgrounds as the reason for the decision. See latest from MSN here.
Bible Rebel is keeping a watchdog’s eye on events around the world. Here’s some of the latest.
Friedrich Merz will be Germany’s new Chancellor
“If the exit poll stands, the Christian Democratic Union party will claim 28.8% of the vote in Sunday’s election, meaning Merz – an old-school conservative who has never held a government role previously – will become the new chancellor of Germany, Europe’s biggest economy and most populous state.” – CNN
EU leaders to hold emergency summit on Ukraine
“The leaders of the 27 European Union countries will have an emergency summit on March 6 about next steps for Ukraine and Europe’s security.” – Associated Press
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu draws the line
“Israel will not allow the new Syrian government’s military forces to operate in territory south of Syria’s capital Damascus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned.” – Al Jazeera
Here are three recent reports from discoveries in biblical archaeology, all from Bible Archaeology Report.
Tomb of Doctor who “Treated the Pharaoh Himself” Discovered in Egypt:
A French-Swiss team of archaeologists discovered a 4,100-year-old tomb at Saqqara belonging to Teti Neb Fu, a doctor who treated the Egyptian pharaoh. The tomb dates to the Old Kingdom period and contains vibrant paintings of Teti Neb Fu’s life and work.
Discoveries Made at Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple:
Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass announced several discoveries around the mortuary temple of Egypt’s female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. The excavation team found the temple’s foundation deposit, including stones with Hatshepsut’s cartouche and several tools. They also unearthed nearly 1500 painted blocks from Hatshepsut’s nearby valley temple.
Structure on the Eastern Slope of the City of David Identified as an Ancient Place of Worship:
A recent article in the journal ‘Atiqot interprets a structure on the eastern slope of the City of David in Jerusalem as an ancient place of worship. The structure was in use from the Middle Bronze Age to the mid-eighth century BC.
Part 7 of our Bible 101 series. This 7 minute episode discusses how understanding the textual and spiritual context of the Bible helps us understand it more fully.
This is curious, from an article on time.com. Where were the calls for “separation of church and state” for the many years U.S. taxpayer dollars were going to charities controlled and operated by religious denominations?
Evangelical and other Christian charities have not been spared these cuts. Among the organizations that lost funding are such Christian behemoths as World Vision, International Justice Mission, Samaritan’s Purse, and Catholic Relief Services, which at $476 million, was the largest USAID recipient in 2024.Because of the vagueness of the language around which programs would still be funded, some groups pulled back their spending, just in case. “World Vision is responding to the executive order that pauses U.S. foreign assistance funding—with the exception of emergency food assistance—for the next 90 days, while programs are reviewed for alignment with the current administration’s foreign policy,” said the international relieforganization in a statement to TIME.
Mormon Easter message
Whatever you might think or believe about the Mormons, this message from President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is spot on and should be echoed by all followers of Jesus Christ regardless of denomination or other creed.
“As we enter this new year, let us prepare for an Easter celebration of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, culminating in His Resurrection — the most glorious event in history,” says President Oaks, speaking on behalf of the entire First Presidency.
How should we do this?
One important way to celebrate, President Oaks says, is to teach the “profound meaning of the universal resurrection.” For Latter-day Saints, he clarifies, “the resurrection means that all who have ever lived will be resurrected — and the resurrection is literal.”
Top 10 countries where Christians are persecuted
Here’s a fascinating and troubling piece from The Baptist Paper detailing the continuing persecution against Christians worldwide.
Last year, 4,476 Christians were murdered for their faith, 7,679 churches and Christian properties were attacked, and 4,744 Christians were imprisoned, reported Open Doors in its annual report that ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
North Korea remained at the top of this year’s list. Those that followed included Somalia(2), Yemen(3), Libya (4), Sudan (5), Eritrea (6), Nigeria(7), Pakistan (8), Iran (9) and Afghanistan (10). While North Korea and Eritrea struggle with either communist/post-communist oppression or dictatorial paranoia, all of the other countries in the top 10 face Islamic oppression. More than half the countries on this year’s World Watch list struggle with Islamic-related persecution.
Part 6 of our Bible 101 series. This 7 minute episode discusses how understanding the historical and cultural context of the Bible, instead of reading our modern ideas into it, helps us get at the real meaning.
Bible Rebel is a resource for those seeking original and curated content, including news and commentary, covering faith, biblical studies and interpretation, and the intersection of politics, culture, and the Bible.
Bible Rebel is always looking for interesting, compatible content for our biblerebel.com website/blog. We are accepting writing and video submissions for review and possible publication on our platform.
If you have a teaching series, opinion piece, research piece or other content that fits with the Bible Rebel mission we’d like to see it!
If your content fits our mission and creed, included below, then email it to us at in**@********el.com. Written pieces should be no more than 500 words and video content no longer than 7 minutes – either can be submitted as part of a longer series for consideration.
Our Mission
To monitor current news and events related to faith and culture.
To provide an alternative viewpoint to the world’s pervasive climate of darkness, nihilism, and hopelessness for those seeking truth, light, and purpose.
To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.
To present the Biblical truths which reveal God’s nature and purposes and proclaim the lifechanging, world-altering, radical message of Yeshua the Messiah – Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior.
Creed of the Fellowship of the Nons Our living God is a loving God and the Bible is His revealed word and will. Our hope and eternal salvation relies entirely on the work of God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Bible Rebel continues keeping a watchdog’s eye on religious news and events, here’s the latest from the Vatican.
On Tuesday, Pope Francis sent a letter to U.S. bishops addressing the Trump administration’s immigration policies and criticizing Vice President J.D. Vance’s interpretation of the hierarchy of love starting with one’s family and extending outward.
Pope Francis’ own interpretation is that Christian love should be inclusive and compassionate towards all people, regardless of their nationality or legal status and that we should all be meditating on the parable of the Good Samaritan and promoting a fraternity that is open to all.
He argued that measures based on force rather than the inherent dignity of every human being are destined to fail.
“Vatican cracks down on illegal entry into its territory
The document also stipulates that unauthorized overflight of Vatican airspace, including through the use of drones, may be punished with prison sentences from six months to three years in addition to a fine that could reach 25,000 euros (about $26,000).
Anyone convicted of illegal entry will be banned from entering Vatican territory for a period of up to 15 years. If this sanction is breached, the offender may be punished with a prison sentence of one to five years.
In addition, the Vatican’s promoter of justice may summon any person who has committed an offense to appear before the court the day after receiving the complaint or immediately after questioning him.”
Hmmm, reminds me a bit of what Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:7-9.
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men…
Whatever your interpretation of ordo amoris, (Latin for “order of love”) shouldn’t it at least be consistent? Maybe the Pope needs to take a look in the mirror so he can better see how to remove that big ol’ beam lodged in there.
All of this is just another example of why people are fleeing churchianity – of all brands.
