Two weeks ago I posted a special wartime edition of my Global Scholars newsletter following the outbreak of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As I begin my regular newsletter for March, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you who have faithfully supported my work with your prayers and financial contributions.
Ontario is gradually lifting COVID-related restrictions, and we have reason to hope for a return to something like normality. In the meantime, Christian Courier has posted my monthly column, titled, The covid blues: The pros and cons of a Zoom world.
Obviously I have been preoccupied with developments in eastern Europe and have devoted much time and reflection to grappling with this human-made tragedy. Here is a list of my recent posts: The tepid witness of an insular prelate, about the Patriarch of Moscow, a close ally of Vladimir Putin who has refused to discipline his most powerful parishioner; The courageous witness of evangelical pastors, who have signed an open letter condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine; Putin's recklessness, published as a special report in Christian Courier; 'Wars and rumors of wars', an interview with me conducted by The American Commons; Assessing the Ukraine Crisis, in which fellow Greek-Cypriot Canadian Angelos Kyriakides interviewed me; A Prayer for Russia and Ukraine (also translated into Portuguese); Jurisdictional jealousies: the ecclesiastical factor in the Russo-Ukrainian war; and Ukraine: Eastern Europe's 'Bible Belt'.
Finally, I want to draw your attention to a remarkable confession of faith published at the weekend by Orthodox Christian clergy and laity: A Declaration on the “Russian World” (Russkii mir) Teaching. Modelled after the 1934 Barmen Declaration, it expresses the Christian convictions of those who oppose the Moscow Patriarch's open alliance with Russian nationalism. May God advance their cause and protect those in Russia who have publicly dissented from this toxic form of religious syncretism.
At the end of the month, a new book will be published by Cantaro Institute: Josué Reichow: Reform Your Mind: The Philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd. It brings Dooyeweerd's philosophy into conversation with Liberation Theology and the Integral Mission of the Lausanne Movement within the context of Brazil. I wrote the foreword, which you can read by clicking on the link in the first sentence of this paragraph.
While tracking the Ukraine crisis, I continue to prepare for upcoming events of which I will write in future newsletters. At the moment I have a completed manuscript for which I am seeking a publisher. One publisher has just turned it down, so I will now be approaching the next one on my list. I hope to have more to report on this in future newsletters.
Speaking for the Global Scholars team, we are very grateful to all of you for last year's successful fundraising campaign. However, I would like to challenge you to consider a monthly giving plan in support of my work. While we gladly accept one-time donations of any amount, monthly giving would enable us more easily to set a budget for the coming year, including the modest salary I receive from the organization. I understand, of course, that not everyone is in a position to contribute in this way, but if you are, please consider this option seriously. If you know someone with an interest in and means to support my work, I would be grateful if you could give 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. If you cannot afford to give, please do continue to pray for my work.
And do pray for an end to the current war in Ukraine and for justice to prevail.
Yours in the service of God's kingdom,
David Koyzis, Global Scholar
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