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Bee colonies give the impression of being a single organism made up of thousands of individual parts.
Photo: Antonio Cruz
"... In [the lion's carcass] there was a swarm of bees and some honey" (Judges 14:8)
There are thousands of different species of bees. Some of them are solitary by nature while others form colonies which can be made up of up to 80,000 individuals. Most of them carry a poisonous sting which they use to defend themselves, but there are also some species which do not. The best known of these species, the domestic bee (Apis mellifera), form hives containing an adult queen bee, a majority of female working bees, and 4% of male drones. In animal societies of this kind, it is not the individual that matters, but the whole community. It is for this reason that bee colonies give the impression of being a single organism made up of thousands of individual parts.
Due allowance made for the obvious differences, the Old Testament also often refers to Israel as a "collective person". This deeply embedded idea of the individual as part of a community led the Hebrews, for example, to assume responsibility for the actions, good or evil, of the other members of the community. If one person sinned, all were guilty. Children thus inherited the consequences of the sins of their fathers, but the converse was also true.
This concept of the "collective person" gradually changed until the idea of personal, individual responsibility emerged, whereby each would be held responsible for their own actions and not for those of others.
A closer look at the eight key arguments of Luther's 1525 masterpiece.
As Paul says, people ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1).
Jesus understood that when religion springs out of fear it becomes really a religion of power.
‘Being’ is more important than ‘doing’ (because without a relationship with God, only death awaits). In short, whatever you do, let it be inspired by love!
Jesus taught a spiritual lesson that we often forget: what there is inside us is what really matters.
They are ruminating animals, capable of running more than one hundred kilometres a day without eating or drinking anything. Hence they were trained in Arabia in the 13th century before Christ, as the basis of what has come to be known as the "camel civilisations".
Michael Schluter: Relationships are the key to build Europe
The economist summarises the manifesto “Confederal Europe: Strong Nations, Strong Union” and explains why personal relationships should be at the centre of our economy, education and democracy.
Gary Wilkerson: The Bible, the Holy Spirit and the Reformation
Pastor Gary Wilkerson talks about what all evangelical Christians can learn from the Protestant Reformation and underlines the need for more churches with both a sound doctrine and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Israel, the UN resolution and the long conflict
Shira Sorko-Ram, pastor and journalist in Israel, shares her views and a historical and biblical context on the latest events.
Lindsay Brown: Islam and the Gospel in Europe
Is the arrival of thousands of Muslims to Europe a threat to Christianity? What is the growth of evangelical churches in Eastern and Southern Europe? An interview with theologian and Lausanne Movement representative Lindsay Brown.
Giovanni Traettino: “Pope Francis is my brother in Christ”
Evangelical Focus asked the well-known Pentecostal pastor about his “open” approach to Roman Catholicism. Traettino defended his position about ecumenism during the Italian Evangelical Alliance 2016 assembly (8-9 April, Rome).
Efraim Tendero: Relationship with Roman Catholicism and other current issues
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Thomas Bucher: Vision of the EEA
Influence in society, evangelical identity and projects in Europe. An interview with Thomas Bucher, secretary general of the European Evangelical Alliance.
Evi Rodemann: Youth and mission
“We want to see the youth not just being equipped, but also being multipliers”, Evi Rodemann director of Mission-Net. The European Congress took place in Germany from December 28 to January 2.
Greg Pritchard: European Leadership Forum
Pritchard explains the vision of ELF, comments on the 2015 event in Poland and reflects on what it means to have an "evangelical identity".
Pablo Martinez comments on Evangelical Focus’ launch
Author and international speaker Dr Pablo Martínez discusses the main challenges in Europe nowadays and hopes Evangelical Focus will be a useful tool to help build bridges between churches and society.
The abilities of Mefi-Boset
Christian ministry Mefi-Boset has been working with people with intellectual disabilities in their leisure time, and supporting their families in Terrassa and Barcelona (Spain) for 20 years.
Re-evangelise Europe and renew the biblical church
The 2017 European Leadership Forum gathered hundreds in Poland to celebrate the Reformation and connect to better share the gospel in diverse national contexts. See picture gallery.
Stamps to commemorate the Reformation
Poland, Lithuania, Namibia and Brazil are some of the countries that have issued special stamps on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.
‘Reconciliation’ in the Basque Country
Bilbao hosted the Spanish Evangelical Alliance's annual meeting (assembly). Politicians, professors and evangelical representatives shared views on social reconciliation. The theme was also analysed from a theological perspective and in workshops.
WPF17: A look at the world’s current issues
A selection of pictures of World Press Photo 2017.
The Progress of Europe, deeply connected to Bible
Indian author Vishal Mangalwadi spoke about how the biblical worldview shaped the West. 300 professionals attended annual GBG meeting on faith and work in Cullera (Spain). Photos: J.P. Serrano, S. Vera.
Impressions of Lausanne's #ylg2016
Around 1,000 young Christian leaders from 150 countries are participating in the 2016 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering, to reflect on global mission.
“Spain, we pray for you”
Hundreds of evangelical Christians from many denominations marched in Madrid (Spain) to pray for their city, the authorities and asking God to bring hope to its society. Many gathered in other cities on June, 11.
How does the love of God affect my daily life?
“God’s love is ontological, it cannot be in any way diminished by my poor performance”, says Jerry Root, Professor of Christian Education at Wheaton College (USA).
Individualism: from the Protestant Reformation to 21st century capitalism
Indian author Vishal Mangalwadi on how the Protestant Reformation underlined individualism as a means to please God, and how secular Europe corrupted it.
Mangalwadi: Education and the Reformation
Indian author Vishal Mangalwadi talks about how a renwed view of the Bible changed education systems in Europe.
What role does the Church have in Europe?
Evi Rodemann (Germany) talks about the unique contributions to society that only the Church can make.
Students in Europe: “We are present”
A summary video of the IFES Europe conference which brought together 1,700 students from many countries in Aschaffenburg (Germany) to reflect on God's mission in society.
You-To live-How?
The Roldan Camacho are a Spanish couple with deafness. They tell us how the whole family experiences everyday life through sign language. A video report by Gabriela Pérez.
Philip Yancey interview
An 8-minute interview with Philip Yancey on the role of Christians in a secularised society. Recorded in Madrid, September 2016.
An interview with Prof. John Lennox
New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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