“The Weekend Wanderer” is a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend. Wander through these links however you like and in any order you like. Disclaimer: I do not necessarily agree with all the views expressed within these articles but have found them thought-provoking.
“‘Without God’s Permission, I Cannot Go to Prison'” – Angela Lu Fulton in Christianity Today: “On a recent overcast Sunday, a 70-year-old Taiwanese American man in a suit rose to his feet to worship in a high school auditorium in Torrance, California. Standing next to his wife, Cathy, and daughter, Alice, David Lin raised his arms and sang along with the young, casually dressed congregants of King’s Cross Church: ‘I’m gonna lift my hands / Till I can reach heaven.’ Though they appeared like any other close Christian family, the image belied the hardships each of them had recently endured. From 2006 to 2024, the Chinese government detained David as he served a life sentence on charges related to his missionary work in the country. Last September, the US government brokered a prisoner exchange that freed David and allowed him to reunite with his family. After the service, Alice’s friends came over to shake David’s and Cathy’s hands, as they had asked God to grant David’s release for years. Pastor Russ Hightower expressed the privilege it had been to join the larger church body in praying for them and to see their prayers answered. ‘When you’re in the front-row seat to watch God do something so dynamic, it’s humbling. [It’s] joyful.'”
“The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Mary the Virgin” – Ashley Tumlin Wallace at Anglican Compass: “On August 15th, Christians worldwide celebrate the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord, honoring the remarkable life of the mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a joyous occasion filled with reverence, thanksgiving, and reflection on Mary’s profound role in the salvation story. The life of the Virgin Mary holds a special place in Christianity. God chose her to be the vessel through which his Son, Jesus Christ, would take on flesh and enter the world as a human being. Mary’s obedience and devotion to God played a crucial role in the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.”
“Redemptive Artificial Intelligence” – Walter Kim interviews Andy Crouch at The NAE’s Conversation podcast: “What is the future of artificial intelligence, and how should Christians interact with it? Listen in to hear Andy Crouch, author and partner for theology and culture at Praxis, discuss AI’s potential to be a profound and fruitful extension of human image-bearing, as well as its potential to be destructive to human flourishing. In Today’s Conversation podcast, host NAE President Walter Kim and Andy discuss:
- Why the practice of Sabbath will mark people who flourish in this technological shift.
- Different theories predicting how AI — including AGI and ASI — will develop in society;
- Why we need a better theological framework — particularly around demonology — for the future of AI;
- How AI could be redemptive for our physical health, relationships and more; and
- Why the practice of Sabbath will mark people who flourish in this technological shift.”
“ISIS soldiers behead Christians in Mozambique, burning church and homes: ‘Silent genocide‘” – Danielle Wallace at Fox News: “International observers are reporting that ISIS-aligned soldiers are beheading Christians and burning churches and homes in central and southern Africa – with some of the most brutal attacks happening in the nation of Mozambique. The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) – a counter-terrorism research nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. – is sounding that alarm about what it describes as a ‘silent genocide’ taking place against Christians. The Islamic State Mozambique Province (ISMP) recently released 20 photos boasting of four attacks on ‘Christian villages’ in the Chiure district, in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, according to MEMRI. MEMRI said the photos show ISIS operatives raiding villages and burning a church and homes. The images also allegedlydepict the beheadings of a member of what the jihadists consider ‘infidel militias’ and two Christian civilians. Rampaging jihadist groups celebrated the killings. Photos also showed the corpses of several members of those so-called ‘infidel militias,’ according to the institute’s analysis. ‘What we see in Africa today is a kind of silent genocide or silent, brutal, savage war that is occurring in the shadows and all too often ignored by the international community.'”
“Be Kind. Even When Others Aren’t” – Joshua Becker at Becoming Minimalist: “When I was in high school, I worked an entry-level job in retail. And other than getting locked in the store one night after closing, I don’t have a ton of memories from the summer job. Except for one. One afternoon, during a staff meeting, our manager said something I’ve never forgotten. He was speaking about the type of culture and atmosphere we should be working to create in the store. And he made this statement: ‘Work hard to be kind, even when others aren’t being kind to you.’ He mentioned a few of the common scenarios that might take place during our shifts and continued to reiterate that it is important to stay kind even if we don’t feel like it. In the context of the meeting, I found his teaching to be highly relevant. It takes intention and presence and self-control to treat customers well—especially when they are impatient or demanding or taking something out on you that you don’t deserve. But over time, I have thought often about the statement. And I’ve realized it’s a principle that matters everywhere—not just when we’re trying to make a sale. Be kind, even when others aren’t.“
“Home of Methodist hymn writer to open to public” – Dawn Limbu at BBC News: “The Bristol home of Methodist Charles Wesley is due to reopen to the public later for the first time in a year. Wesley, who died in 1788, was a prolific hymn writer whose 6,000 plus compositions included well-known works such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Alongside his elder brother John, Wesley started the Methodist movement in the Church of England. Wesley’s 18th Century house at 4 Charles Street has only been open to pre-booked groups for the past year but will now reopen to the public, with tickets starting at £8 per person. Wesley was most influential for his hymn writing, composing more than 6,000 hymns, many of which are still widely sung in Christian worship. His most enduring works include And Can It Be, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today and O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”
Music: Arvo Pärt, “Spiegel im Spiegel,” performed by Jürgen Kruse (Piano) and Benjamin Hudson (viola).
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Matthew Erickson 