December 5, 2023 | By Marcos Barrios ES ‘24

So, what kind of friend is God? For one thing, He’s faithful. The Scriptures show how present He is in the history of Israel and how many times He keeps His promises and provides for His people. He’s forgiving, remembering His “[people] are dust," (Ps. 103:14), treating us with grace we don’t deserve. And He’s proactive, seeking His people by sending prophets, signs, and wonders. He searches for His lost sheep and runs to meet His children. He ultimately took the first step of love, giving His son for us while we were still sinners.

November 20, 2023 | By Zeki Tan MY ‘25

For those desperately attempting to construct meaning in their lives, especially if they have experienced grief, trauma, or suffering that defies any explanation, these predictions can renew their hopes for transformation and escape from present hardship. Another possibility is that prophecies of doom paradoxically make otherwise unpleasant or terrifying events like sickness and death predictable, taking away a source of anxiety for people. Death is a journey in which we lose all control over our bodies and lives, but fixing the hour of our demise restores some sense of agency, allowing us to make plans and say our goodbyes.