A Christian leader’s grief over a divided—and now devastated—country.
The massive explosion that rocked Beirut Monday evening has left dozens dead, hundreds injured, and more than 300,000 displaced from their homes.
Millions around the world watched in horror as the detonation of 2,750 tons of confiscated ammonium nitrate laid waste to the Mediterranean port and its surrounding neighborhoods. The equivalent of a 3.3 magnitude earthquake was felt deep into the Lebanese mountains and as far away as Cyprus.
The images of destruction reminded many of the 15-year civil war that lasted from 1975 to 1990.
Christianity Today spoke with Joseph Kassab, president of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon. Based in Beirut but born in Aleppo, Kassab reflected on the damage suffered in Christian neighborhoods, early efforts to assist the suffering, and hope for what this tragedy might produce in the church.
These are very difficult days in Lebanon. What happened, and how bad is it?
It is very bad. I’ve been in Lebanon since 1984, experiencing the civil war. This is the first time that one single explosion caused such damage. People were terrified.
Until now, there is no agreement on the explanation, with many speaking according to their political point of view. Some say it was an electrical problem. Some say it was arson. Others assure that they heard jet fighters. We have to wait, hoping that the coming days will provide an answer.
This explosion destroyed so much of Beirut, across sectarian lines. What is the impact on the Christian community?
The areas nearest the port in East Beirut are primarily Christian neighborhoods, and generally poorer than others. But even we here in the mountains suffered broken windows.
One of the worst affected was Jesus Light of the World church ...
from Christianity Today Magazine https://ift.tt/31gQuhG
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