December 30, 2021

After Celebrating the Incarnation, Let’s Get Rid of ‘Incarnational’

Kees van der Knijff Last week, we celebrated Christmas. As a number of my ABTS colleagues shared, the celebration of Christmas is a highlight of the Christian year and raises all kinds of beautiful feelings and thoughts. In essence, what we celebrate at Christmas is the Incarnation: the unheard-of, unthinkable, […]
December 23, 2021

Christmas Reflections from the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary

The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary wishes you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the following reflections by members of our community bless you this season Elie Haddad, President At Christmastime, I love to reflect, not only on why Jesus came to earth, but also on who He […]
December 16, 2021

Arab Women Leaders in the Church: Time to Rise?

by Grace Al-Zoughbi I am an Arab woman, a Palestinian (born and raised in Bethlehem), a Christian, and a Protestant with a heart not only for the Middle East but also for ecclesial diversity. My research on the role of Arab women in theological education has opened up a plethora […]
December 9, 2021

O Little Town of Bethlehem, Do We Still Not See How Thee Lie?

By Brent Hamoud It’s nice to go to Bethlehem this time of year as starry imaginations lead us to the site of the first Christmas. Popular depictions of the Nativity story invariably include scenes of a pregnant young lady and her anxious husband searching for a resting place among crowded […]
December 2, 2021

From a Pulpit-Based Church to the Priesthood of All Believers

By Wissam Nasrallah Inviting someone to come to church has long been a standing practice in evangelical churches. I have repeatedly heard pastors encourage and challenge their congregations not just to invite their friends to church but to (physically) bring them to church as well. The idea is simple: invite […]
November 25, 2021

The Dangers of Praying for Lebanon: A Theological Reflection on Prayer, Economics, and National Blessing

By Nabil Habibi As we celebrated Lebanon’s Independence Day this week, and as the economic crisis continues to deepen, there have been renewed calls from Christians to pray for Lebanon. I have always felt uneasy about praying for my country. I do believe that prayer is essential. An active prayer […]
November 18, 2021

Responding to Political Crises: A Gospel-Centered Framework

By Elias Ghazal The situation in Lebanon is heartbreaking. Much has already been written about the catastrophe facing people in Lebanon. The most devastating fact about the crisis is that it is self-inflicted. Lebanon is on a course of self-destruction, and if it continues down this path unabated, the country […]
November 11, 2021

Middle East Consultation 2021 Recap Series: “The Church’s Engagement with Society”

By Martin Accad From September 30 to October 2, ABTS hosted the Middle East Consultation 2021 entitled “Towards a Dynamic Church: Making Disciples, Developing Leaders, and Engaging Society in Lebanon and Beyond.” During the three-day online event, we invited local, regional, and global voices to consider urgent matters of faith […]