Hostages Released

Anglican envoy Terry Waite emerged from nearly five years of captivity, chained to a wall by his Shiite Muslim kidnapers, with his smiling, gentle nature intact. The 52-year-old Waite was released on November 18 along with Thomas Sutherland, 60, one of the hostages whose freedom Waite was seeking when taken in January 1987.

Appearing before reporters just after their release, the two were able to joke about their misfortunes. Sutherland, who was held for about six-and-a-half years, said he never would have made it through his ordeal without the company of Waite.

Waite reported that his kidnapers said the three remaining American hostages would be released by the end of November.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Strategy: Can the West Be Won?

George G. Hunter Iii

Buried in Data

Letters

A Friend of God’s, a Friend of Mine

If Mother Teresa Were a Baptist in Houston

Editorial

Recovering the Apostles' Zeal

Recovering the Apostles’ Zeal

Behold!: Behold the Lamb of God: Calligrapher Timothy Botts Points His Pens at Handel’s Messiah and Makes the Words Sing

Interview By David Neff And Carol Thiessen

A Little Religion at Christmas

John G. Stackhouse, Jr.

‘Go Fetch Baxter’

Timothy Beougher And J. I. Packer

Where Would We Be without Staupitz?: Behind the Great Leaders of the Church Stood Others Who, through Their Lives and Teaching, Provided Inspiration. Here Is a Look at Five Unsung Heroes Church History Could Not Have Done Without

Bruce L. Shelley

Evangelism in the ’90s: There’s a Wideness in Our Witness

CT Survey Report: Who’s Really Doing Evangelism?

James F. Engel

Bible Study: Saint John’s Four Laws

Christopher Hancock

Take It to the Streets

Big Nanny Is Watching You

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from December 16, 1991

The Doctor as Executioner

1991 In Review: Enter the New World Order

In the News: 1991’s Top Ten Stories

News from the North American Scene: December 16, 1991

Church/State: Court Hears Prayer Case

Election Update: Prolifers Claim Gains in Midst of Voter Turmoil

World Scene: December 16, 1991

Episcopal Church: Traditionalists Form New Diocese

Church and Law: Zoned Out

Evangelical Wins Peaceful Election

Gypsy Church Thrives in Europe, Worldwide

Why 1989 Happened

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Excerpt

The Story Behind Handel’s ‘Messiah’

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Meet the unlikely characters who defined this musical classic.

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The Christians Helping People Enslaved by Cybercrime Scam Centers

Erin Foley in Mae Sot, Thailand

After Myanmar’s military raided a compound, a network of ministries helps trafficking victims return home.

Dreaming Against the Machine

Technologies like AI privilege “growth” and “effectiveness” over imagination and inefficiency. God operates differently.

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Church Provides Shelter, Aid During Bondi Beach Attack

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Australian Christians are finding ways to support the Jewish community after an ISIS-motivated shooting killed 15.

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How Rhode Island Churches Responded to the Brown Shooting

Harvest Prude and Kara Bettis Carvalho in Providence, Rhode Island

God “draws near to us in our suffering,” local pastor Scott Axtmann preached after Saturday’s deadly attack. Area ministries were active too.

The Bulletin

Hanukkah Attack in Australia and Christmas Hospitality

Steve Cuss, Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Shootings prompt a conversation about antisemitism and violence, and Being Human’s Steve Cuss discusses God’s hospitality.

Review

Personal Preference Is No Way to Judge Faithful Worship

Steven Félix-Jäger’s new volume on biblical, aesthetic, theological, and pastoral considerations in worship will serve many churches.

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