Another type of split is emerging in the more liberal Reform wing of Judaism. While the divisions in many Christian bodies often take shape between more liberal church leaders and clergy and conservative laity, the opposite is the case in Reform. The Jerusalem Report (Feb. 1) notes that the split is taking place between an increasingly traditional […]

In recent months, observers of the American Jewish community are finding a steady deepening of divisions among the various groupings, especially the Orthodox. Rabbi Jack Wertheimer of  the Jewish Theological Seminary writes in Commentary  magazine (February) that the numerically smaller Orthodox (totaling just over 6 percent of Jewish households) are making a significant impact on the religious practices […]

Liberation theology is reported to be in decline throughout Latin America, but remnants of this theology that mixes radical politics and theology, still survive. In a report on the pope’s visit to Mexico, the New York Times (Jan. 21) reports that “although only a handful of bishops still espouse it, [liberation theology] has nonetheless left a powerful […]

A growing and often violent conflict between Hindus and Christians have renewed concerns about the growth of Hindu nationalism. The New York Times (Jan. 23) reports that in the past year there have been more attacks on Christians than at any other time in India’s half century of independence. According to the Indian Home Ministry the numbers […]

While Muslims and Eastern Orthodox are battling in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and the Orthodox Church is in conflict with other Christian bodies around the world, the situation in the Russian Republic of Tartistan is markedly different. An article in Religion, State & Society (September/December), a journal on religion in former communist lands, finds […]

Epiphany, or the traditional twelfth day of Christmas, is making a comeback in England, reports the Washington Post (Jan. 6). There is a concerted drive both by churches and others interested in reviving national traditions to reintroduce the Twelfth Day celebrations in England after a long period of neglect. The Feast of the Epiphany marks the account […]

Charismatic and evangelical currents appear to be having a strong impact in Norway, according to an article in Charisma  magazine (January). There are growing charismatic ministries in the nation that are especially finding a following among Norway’s youth. A movement known as the Jesus Revolution is just two years old but the group has drawn crowds of […]