Dr Paul Allen

One of the world’s oldest Christian communities is facing extermination from jihadists, as Islamic militants linked to Al-Qaeda have seized the Syrian city of Aleppo –home to an estimated 3.5 million people, including more than 50,000 Christians. While Aleppo has seen a mass exodus of some 200,000 Christians in the past 12 years, the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of large parts of the city on Sunday, prompting warnings from persecution watchers of a fresh “religious cleansing” of Christians. “It looks like we are now heading for another major crisis for Syrian Christians,”  Dr Martin Parsons , director of  The Lindisfarne Centre for the Study of Christian Persecution , told  The Stream . “Christian aid agencies need to prepare for a massive relief operation.” “Effective and Deadly” Muslim Militants Parsons explained that HTS is a direct affiliate of Al Qaeda set up under the name of the Jabhat al-Nusra Front in 2011 with the help of Abu Bakr al-Ba...

Outrage. Fear. Confusion. Anger. Nostalgia. Withdrawal. Many of the ways we Christians respond to any opposition are far from ideal. Peter knew what it was like to face opposition — to lash out in anger or drawback in fear; to be restored in love, and then to step out boldly with gospel courage. It took him years to learn, but with Christ beside him and the Spirit within him, he did. Later in life, he wrote a letter to fellow sufferers and taught them how to respond Christianly to any opposition. His lessons can help you, too. Don’t be surprised. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you” (1 Pet 4:12). This isn’t new. It isn’t strange. It’s normal. Paul promises that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12). “In the same way,” Jesus reminds us, “they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt 5:12). Don’t be surprised. God certainly is...