February 18, 2013
In October 2012, the Institute of Middle East Studies at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Lebanon, launched a new Master of Religion in Middle Eastern and North African Studies (MRel). How is this new “MRel” program distinctive? Specifically, how does it differ from ABTS’ core programs of Bachelor of Theology and Master of […]
February 14, 2013
By Martin Accad How lightheartedly we break the ninth commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). This is a constant problem in my area of work: Christian-Muslim relations. I am not thinking of the way that Muslims portray Christianity, which can be the subject of […]
February 7, 2013
By Rupen Das Over the past many months, a number of Syrian Christians and their leaders have made comments, which have taken me by surprise. They say, “The West has betrayed the Christians of Syria and abandoned them. They support and arm the rebels who not only want to overthrow […]
January 31, 2013
By Jesse S. Wheeler As recently arrived Projects Manager for the Institute of Middle Studies (IMES) in Beirut, Lebanon, I consider it my privilege to assist in the fulfillment of IMES’ institutional mandate: To bring about positive transformation in the thinking and practice between Christians and Muslims in the Middle […]
January 23, 2013
By Arthur Brown Last June a close friend of my wife’s and mine died. Cindy was someone who transformed our life, faith and spirituality, and taught us something about frailty, vulnerability and suffering. She showed us something of Jesus in the most unexpected ways. As well as being a friend, […]
January 10, 2013
By Martin Accad Many years ago, when I was 12, I took part in a children’s summer camp in Switzerland, attended mainly by Lebanese, but also by a dozen Syrian kids. I remember a game where each child was asked to declare who their hero was. There were, of course, […]
December 20, 2012
IMES Note 2012 has been a big year for the Institute of Middle East Studies. In June we hosted our 9th annual Middle East Conference, titled ‘Love Your Neighbour as Yourself: The Church & the Palestinian in Light of God’s Command for Justice and Compassion’. In July we launched our […]