Many of you may have already heard about the Christian pastor in Iran and the Iranian supreme court's order of execution for apostasy. This article from the International Business Times details the current situation and what (few) facts are known about the case. If the reports are true - as it seems likely they are - then Iran's actions are incredibly reprehensible.

It's worth noting, however, that Iran is not acting as a "rogue" nation, but is actually being very consistent with traditional notions of sharia that do, in fact, call for the execution of knowing (male) apostates. This provides an obvious contrast with Christianity, which has no particular political form and condemns the use of the sword for religious purposes. Nonetheless, Christ offered his own prohibition against apostasy (Matthew 10:33), and so Pastor Nadarkhani has indeed been placed in a circumstance where he must choose between God and men. Let this entire standoff be enlightening to those who are attracted to the irrational notion that "we all serve the same God," and may Nadarkhani have courage as he stands against the tyranny of an ideology that values force over volition and law over grace; may we be strengthened by his example of courage and faith.