terrorist?

Last night on the BBC News at Ten one of the headlines caught my attention.

Back Behind Bars
A radical preacher has been detained for allegedly breaking the conditions of his curfew.

It sounded like the kind of headline that could well have been about the apostle Paul, except that wouldn't really be classed as news now.

The headline was about Abu Qatada, who was once described as Osama bin Laden's right hand man. Not much in common with Paul on that one!

Paul was often in prison and regularly in trouble with both the Jewish and Roman authorities. He stood firm for what he believed in and faced the consequences with joy.

What about you and me?

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
2 Corinthians 11:23b-27 (NIV)