Article April 30, 2007 Issue

SAFE in mid-flight

BY GABRIEL TSHIALA LUMBADILA

in mid-flight

SAY THE WORD terror these days, and we immediately think of Al-Qaeda and the pervasive threat of terrorist attacks. For most people, though, organized terrorism is less of an immediate threat than are the fears sometimes associated with ordinary activities. However, both the use of terror as a weapon and the experience of protection in the face of terror in its various forms go back to Biblical times and beyond.

John's Gospel records at least two instances in which Jesus was threatened with stoning because of his teachings (see 8:59, for example). Trying to avoid the repetition of one such attack, his disciples warned him, "Rabbi! . . . only a few days ago, the Jews were trying to stone you to death—are you going there again?" (11:8, J. B. Phillips). Jesus later explained to his followers that they would encounter threats and persecution, but promised that the Comforter would deliver them (see chaps. 15, 16).

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

SAFE in mid-flight

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access