Dr Paul Allen

Imagine a hypothetical scenario: It’s the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and an opportunity emerges for the terrorists of Hamas to attack the heartland of Israel. Would they refrain from launching the attack to observe their holy month? Now, move from the hypothetical scenario back to reality. As the Israel-Hamas war continues, many politicians and media pundits have come together in a concerted effort to pressure Israel for a cease-fire in Gaza during Ramadan. Why exactly? It is a holy month for Muslims, we are told, so Israel must stop its military operation. The fanciful pattern is now predictable. A politician or a celebrity issues a demand and posts it on social media to millions of keyboard “followers,” who then repost and simply repeat the demand without the least intellectual effort to fathom its core. One may understand a push for a cease-fire for humanitarian reasons or tactical military needs. Still, this call for a cease-fire is directly linked to the advent of a Muslim rel

Samson and Delilah (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza , and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.” ( Judges 16:21 ) The sad end of mighty Samson, who once had been so greatly energized and utilized by the Lord , is also an allegory and a grave warning to every Christian. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” ( James 1:14-15 ). Satan knows our individual weaknesses and tempts us accordingly. Many Christians have fallen into sin through some Delilah , but probably many more have fallen into sin through pride, or covetousness, or compromise, or apathy. First, sin blinds. We are commanded to grow in Christ , adding to our initial faith the attributes of virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness, and love ( 2 Pet

Image via Wikipedia I am grateful for this opportunity to speak on this important issue, one of the great issues facing Australia . I am not an expert, and to not speak from first-hand experience of the human suffering that lies within the question. I am in danger of speaking glibly in the face of an immense tragedy which has engulfed Australia since 1788, and in the face of the ongoing effects of that tragedy still present all around us. However, what I am saying needs to be said, and I want to encourage Christians to take leadership in these matters. I ask forgiveness from those indigenous people present here tonight for whom these matters are immeasurably and constantly painful. I assure you of my deep respect for you and for your full human dignity as men and women made in the image of God . I want to honour you and your people tonight. I hope that nothing I say will offend you or hurt you. I want this lecture to express the duty and debt of love that I owe you. Our question i