Just got an update on Turkey, not the Kurds situation, which is well covered, but one about Christians and Bibles.Here it is:Reaction to Americans for Distributing Bibles. People of the province of Igdir reacted to three American tourists working as missionaries and distributing Bibles.

I am headed to an international conference on the growth of Christianity's impact in the two thirds world in the Seoul, Korea area. It is called Transform World. I will be there for a week to hear reports on what is going on and to chat with leaders from these countries about how Christianity can be best represented as a force for God and good in these areas.

We now turn to point 10 and the source Q, a source that many NT scholars see as behind the teaching that overlaps between Matthew and Luke, where some 200 and 225 verses in these two gospels run in a similar manner and with the view that these two writers did not use each other.

We now come to Point 9. Here it is:9) The Gospels are not historical accounts, but constructed through a process of "midrash," a Jewish method of reworking old biblical passages and tales to reflect new beliefs. The story of Jesus' trial and crucifixion is a pastiche of verses from scripture. 

The situation for Christians in Turkey continues to be tense. Here is the latest update sent to me by people there. 

(Ths post had layout problems so I have reposted it today - Oct 6) Greg: I have blogged on this earlier. Here is how I stated it then. Two extracts follow:From August, 2006: dlb - New Perspective (NP)

I am headed to New York to met with a variety of Jewish Christian leaders to discuss theological developments in the movement.  The Conference will last three days and should be quite a time of theological reflection. Much is happening in Jewish Christianity, including in Israel, especially among Russian Jews. I will try to update you when the conference is all done. 

Greg: I have blogged on this earlier. Here is how I stated it then. Two extracts follow: From August, 2006: dlb - New Perspective (NP)