After Daybreak: The Liberation of Belsen, 1945

On April 15, 1945, the first British tanks entered Bergen-Belsen. Inside the concentration camp were piles of dead bodies and 60,000 people--more than half of them Jewish survivors of the Nazi Final Solution. They were still clinging to life and crying out to be saved. Shephard, a documentary filmmaker and historian, notes that it fell to the British to help them. This book is about how they responded to that challenge. He observes that the role played by 96 volunteers from London medical schools who were sent to the camp was lauded, but when historians looked at this event again in the 1990s, they noticed several disturbing elements. Why did it take so long (almost two weeks) to organize a proper medical response? Why were the medical teams sent to the camp so poorly equipped, with only aspirin and opium, and no surgical instruments and anesthetics? Above all, was it inevitable that nearly 14,000 people should die thereafter it was liberated? The answers, Shephard writes, can be found in contemporary military records, diaries, and the testimony of survivors. He concludes that it is a moving story of brotherhood, a sad tale of human frailty, and an illuminating case study. Sixty years later, the author offers readers a precise sense of what went on in the camp day by day. He believes that Bergen-Belsen should be remembered not simply for the evil perpetrated there but for the humane and life-affirming work that was done.

Dude, That's Freaking Awesome

Light Brigade

I’ve just finished reading Light Brigade, an action paked graphic novel that is part Nazi (almost) Zombie, part World War Two action and part angelic (both types) battle. Needless to say it’s theologically wayward, but does come up with some interesting themes for you to ponder.

There’s a war in Heaven, and Earth is the battleground! A ragtag squad of WWII G.I.s must recover the mysterious Sword of God, a heavenly artifact coveted by angels, demons, and Nazis! From Peter J. Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS, THE OUTSIDERS) and Peter Snejbjerg (STARMAN), the co-creators of THE MIGHTY!

Why Worship?

Ok, so I've got my cynicism back in full force, and why not? It is Sunday after all! One thing that most of the churches I've ever been to does the same every Sunday is to play at least one worship song after the sermon.

Why do they do that? Is there some theological reasoning behind it?

Is it the only way we can leave church feeling good?

It wasn't an issue for me this week, but last week the Pastor preached a really interesting sermon, something I would have liked to ponder. But noooo, the only thing I had on my mind after leaving church was the inane words to Israel Houghton's Friend of God;

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

He calls me friend? All I could think of on the way home was - is that really Biblical? Does it say anywhere in the Bible that God wants to be our friend, or is that just some modern feel good wishy washy watered-down theology?

What was it that the Pastor spoke on? I just can't remember.