When you look at the fruit of a tree, you can tell what kind of tree it is. That was Jesus’ simple but profound test for truth: “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). If we apply this same test to Islam, the results are sobering. The fruit …

Please note: The following excerpt is drawn from my forthcoming book, The Elephant in the Middle East: The Spiritual Battle Christians Often Miss Behind the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Complete sources, citations, and references are documented within the book itself. No child is born a hater; no baby longs to kill. It is …

Most Westerners know Islam only as a religion that prays five times a day and forbids pork, or as a faith sometimes associated with violence on the news. But Islam is far more than a personal creed; it is a civilization-shaping force — a fusion of religion, law, and empire …

I want to begin with respect. I (a Jewish believer in Jesus) don’t necessarily agree with all Catholic doctrine, but I have no issues with Catholics as people of faith. In fact, I count several Catholics among my personal friends, including Archbishop Cardinal Pizzaballa, whom I have great respect for. …

In many honor-and-shame cultures, especially throughout the Middle East, revenge is often considered a sacred obligation. In such places, allowing an enemy to live may be perceived not as mercy but as weakness. This was true in the ancient world, and in many tribal and Islamic societies today, it remains …

While I disagree on certain points, there are aspects of liberal Christians that I deeply admire, particularly their profound grasp of God’s mercy and compassion for all and their emphasis on loving our enemies more fully. That said, I think there’s a blind spot. War may not be the morally …

Among the most vibrant and emotionally charged festivals in the Jewish calendar, Purim stands out as a celebration not only of survival but of divine orchestration—a joyous festival that springs from the shadows of looming destruction. It commemorates the remarkable deliverance of the Jewish people from annihilation, as recounted in …

In John chapter 8, we find Jesus in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. Two chapters later, in John 10, He is in the Temple again—this time during Hanukkah. While Hanukkah is not a biblical feast, it is deeply connected to one: Sukkot. The Light of the World The name …

Marking the culmination of the sacred cycle of Jewish festivals, the Feast of Tabernacles, known in Hebrew as Sukkot, guides believers into a profound season of reflection, rejoicing, and spiritual renewal. Occurring just five days after the solemn observances of Yom Kippur, Sukkot presents a striking yet harmonious contrast: moving …

As we continue our journey through the Jewish biblical festivals, we arrive at Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement. Among the many sacred moments on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur stands apart as the highest and holiest day of the year: a solemn day set aside for repentance, deep reflection, and …