FEBRUARY 2023 NEWSLETTER

I have posted my newsletter somewhat later in the month than usual, due to my recent travels to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area to speak at two events. This is the first air travel I've undertaken since the start of the pandemic three years ago and the first travel of any kind since my illness of last May. I would like to begin by thanking those of you who have prayed for my healing since then. I still have limited mobility in the right arm, and I still experience moderate pain in the shoulders, but I am definitely better than I was for much of last year.

My online posts have decreased in frequency as I spend most of my productive time working on my book, provisionally titled, "Citizenship Without Illusions." On the 20th day of last month, I signed a contract with InterVarsity Press for this book, which is due at the publisher by 31 December. I now have a first draft of the first four chapters, and I am currently working on a fifth. Here is a chapter-by-chapter description of the book: 'Citizenship Without Illusions': contract signed and book forthcoming. Please pray for me as I undertake this project. I will be providing updates in future newsletters.

Last week, at the invitation of my longtime friend William G. Witt and Bryan Hollon, I twice spoke at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Hollon is the new Dean President of Trinity, and Witt teaches systematic theology. I first spoke at the Dean's Hour on wednesday, 15 February, on the subject of "Ideology and Idolatry." In the evening, I spoke on "Geneva in England: Singing the Psalms in Metre."

The following day, I delivered the Byron I. Bitar Memorial Lecture at Geneva College in nearby Beaver Falls. The title was "It's All About Me: How Right and Left have masked the dominance of liberalism in North America." I was introduced by my former student Willem de Ruijter, Vice President of Enrolment and Marketing. Although I've been to Geneva only twice, I owe a great debt to the supporting denomination, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, which operated the American Academy in Larnaca, Cyprus, where my late father attended school.

On 7 February, I participated in a round-table discussion of the current conflict in Ukraine, along with Jim Skillen and Tracy Kuperus, who moderated the conversation. This took place online at a board meeting for the Center for Public Justice.

Earlier in the month I moved into the realm of foreign and defence policy and penned this post: Rethinking NATO's role. I suggested that NATO has fulfilled three functions: deterring Soviet aggression during the 40 years of the Cold War, keeping the peace in Europe for a record 78 years, and tying the interests of the United States to a wider international order. With respect to one of these purposes, I further suggest that NATO may be overstretched.

Christian Courier published two articles of mine: MAID and the meaning of suffering, and 'A United Canada'. MAID refers to "medical assistance in dying," which Canada appears to be facilitating while also, incongruously, trying to prevent suicides. The second article is about the recent Alberta Sovereignty Act, which constitutes a potential challenge to Ottawa's authority in Canada's sometimes fraught federal system.

Finally, I would like to call attention to a Romanian-language metrical psalter which recently came to my attention: A gift of God born of suffering: Cântările Psalmilor. Unlike most metrical psalters, this collection, the project of Traian Dorz and Nicolae Moldoveanu, was born in adversity during the early communist era in that country. But it would not be published for another half century. Now it is out in a second expanded edition. The Dorz/Moldoveanu psalter will find a small place in my current book project.

Once again, I am most grateful for your financial and prayer support for my continuing work. I ask once more that you consider a regular monthly contribution, as it makes it easier for Global Scholars to set an annual budget, including the modest salary I receive from the organization. Not everyone, of course, is in a position to contribute in this way, but if you are, please consider this option seriously. Furthermore, if you know someone with an interest in and means to support my work, I would appreciate your giving me their name and contact information. GSC's page for giving can be found here. Once you are in the page, scroll down to the heading marked DONATION DETAILS, and then choose one of the options under FUND. Americans may donate through our sister organization in the US. Thank you so much!

Yours in God's service,

David Koyzis, Global Scholar