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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.
No one in the world has shown more willingness to forgive every human being than God.
The caper is native to Southeast Asia, but it is common throughout the Mediterranean basin and in many other parts of the world.
In Western Europe today the majority of the church is made up of the relatively wealthy middle classes.
The horses of the ‘Franches’ are amongst the hardiest that exist.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
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.
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.
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".
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.
Coexistence in the church - a model for society
“Gospel, identity and coexistence” were the themes of the General Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. Two days in Palma de Mallorca to reflect about the role of evangelical churches in society.
'Ungi kulimi changana'
Educator and journalist Jordi Torrents shares images of the Sekeleka social centre in Mozambique. About 50 children live there, many with some kind of disability. All photos were taken with permission.
The President in an evangelical church on Christmas Eve
For the first time, the President of Portugal attended a worship service in an evangelical church. It was in Sintra, on Christmas Eve.
I am not on sale
Young Christians gathered at Madrid’s central square Sol to denounce human trafficking. A flashmob highlighted the work of three evangelical NGOs which support women who escape sexual slavery in Spain.
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.
Why are Christian leaders particularly vulnerable to sexual temptation?
“The reasons why somebody might have sex with a prostitute are very different from the reasons why somebody might want to have an affair with a member of their congregation”. An analysis by John Stevens, National Director of FIEC (UK).
Be safe on social media
A video about the way traffickers target teenage girls online, produced by anti-slavery gorup Abolishion.
In Mission
A 360º lyric video about how all followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve God. Duo in Spanish (Alex Sampedro) and Portuguese (Marcos Martins).
Heart
A short animation film by Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset tells the message of the Bible in four minutes.
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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