“One of the largest Viking ship graves ever found”

Archaeologists in Norway have discovered a rare Viking ship burial. National Geographic reports: “The 65-foot-long ship was covered over more than 1,000 years ago to serve as the final resting place of a prominent Viking king or queen. That makes it one of the largest Viking ship graves ever found.”

This find is obviously remarkable. But having spent more than two weeks in Israel, I can tell you that history means different things to different cultures.

A few days ago, our group visited Tel Dan, where we viewed a gate that dates to the time of Abraham. We toured the probable site of King David’s palace in Jerusalem. And we joined archaeologists in sifting through dirt excavated from the Temple Mount area in Jerusalem; one of our group found a piece of pottery that dates to the time of Solomon.

One result of the Jewish people’s long and challenging history is their commitment to their nation. Twenty centuries of dispersion from the Holy Land and the horrors of the Holocaust have hardened their resolve to preserve their people and country.

They know they cannot take their security and future for granted. Forces far more numerous are allied against them. Anti-Semitism is tragically increasing in Europe, America, and around the world. The Holocaust is still a living reality for their people.

The people of Israel live every day in the reality that what unites them is far more powerful than what divides them. Therein is a lesson for Christians today.

Does God accept “the worship of all religions”?

Henri Nouwen was a brilliant Catholic priest and scholar. His writings on spirituality and psychology have been very influential for me.

I especially appreciate his candor in describing the church and culture. Father Nouwen admits: “Over the centuries the Church has done enough to make any critical person want to leave it. Its history of violent crusades, pogroms, power struggles, oppression, excommunications, executions, manipulations of people…