March 18, 2019
The world suddenly shrunk on Friday. Events in a far-away peaceful corner of the world shocked the global community. Distant idyllic New Zealand–‘Godzone’–had been wrenched into a world of violence usually only experienced by Kiwis on their television screens. In a rare moment of international solidarity, both the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building […]
March 11, 2019
Europeans cannot get away from the cross. Although through familiarity we have become blind to the cross and the startling message it carries, it can be seen almost everywhere. Take a look around. We see it on many national flags, national sports clothing, as decorations around necks, on bikers’ leather jackets, on buildings, on church […]
March 4, 2019
Romania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union comes at an awkward time. Brexit looms in a matter of weeks. Populist parties threaten to gain seats in European Parliament elections in May. Sharp differences separate east and west on migration policies. Romania’s Justice Minister has drafted an emergency decree to allow politicians to overturn […]
February 25, 2019
The first intake of students for our new Master’s degree in Missional Leadership and European Studies takes place this coming June, in partnership with ForMission College and Newman University in Birmingham. Candidates will attend four study days in Amsterdam each semester for two years, to be briefed for self-study and assignment writing. A third year […]
February 18, 2019
In many European Union member states today, the Good Samaritan of Jesus’ famous parable would risk being arrested as a criminal for offering humanitarian aid and perhaps be imprisoned for human trafficking. Police, immigration officials, border guards and court officials in numerous European countries make a mockery of so-called EU values of solidarity, dignity, equality […]
February 11, 2019
Addressing a gathering of missionaries engaged in Albania last weekend, I was reminded of the enormous changes experienced by that country since the overthrow of communism in 1991. I first visited the nation Paul the Apostle knew as Illyricum (Romans 15:19) in 1992. Few cars drove on the ill-kept roads. Transport was by foot, in […]
February 4, 2019
Valentine’s Day is only ten days away. That means “Marriage Week” starts this week on Thursday, February 7. For those fortunate enough to be married, or even for those in non-committed relationships, this is a good time to evaluate the health of our relationships and their likelihood of lasting. For while ‘sustainability’ seems to be […]
January 28, 2019
It was a busy European week. On Monday, Theresa May refused to rule out a no-deal Brexit or to keep Britain in an EU customs union as she sought a way to take her nation out of the Union. On Tuesday, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron met in Aachen to sign a new treaty of […]
January 21, 2019
“Is the world getting better, worse or staying the same?” If you think it is getting worse, you’re in good company. The majority of audiences in 30 countries who were asked this question believed that things were indeed getting worse in our world. Among Christians too, many are predisposed to a negative perspective as wars, […]
January 14, 2019
Tomorrow is B-Day, Brexit Day, when Parliament in London decides whether or not to accept Theresa May’s controversial deal. If rejected, the PM will get three working days to produce ‘Plan B’, with an expected Commons vote next Monday. If the vote is again negative, the UK leaves the EU on Friday, March 29, with […]
January 7, 2019
What’s in store for us this year? At first glance, there’s not much to be optimistic about 2019. A lamentable leadership vacuum has emerged both in Europe and globally, foreboding further instability and the rise of strongman politics. As with recent years, populism continues to polarise and destabilise. The upcoming European Parliament elections threaten to […]
December 31, 2018
Starting with a literal bang – the traditional New Year’s fireworks in the city centre – our first year of urban living has been full, fast and fulfilling. Not that we don’t occasionally miss the birds and trees, and the nature and the quiet of the Veluwe, our home for over forty years. Yet Romkje […]
