Rafa Oliveira, Author at The Washington Institute

Rafa is a student at Reformed Theological Seminary in New York City. He originally hails from Brazil and currently lives in Manhattan where he works at Central Presbyterian Church. He speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish and is an ardent Manchester United supporter.

Articles by Rafa Oliveira

Culture • Christianity & Culture

The Urban Exodus and Exile

Rafa Oliveira | 12 min read

New York City—my home—is a cramped, chaotic cacophony of blaring sirens and swarming, murmuring crowds, and not to mention expensive. In Houston or Los Angeles, thick, slithering, concrete highways wrap around almost every neighborhood. London and São Paulo are grey with small blotches of green. In Johannesburg, Africa’s city of gold, crime lurks in alleyways...

Faith • Theological Reflections

Anxiety is Not Irreverence: Suffering Faithfully

Rafa Oliveira | 12 min read

“Irreverence!” he declared as he slammed his palm onto the wooden pulpit. A brittle silence briefly hung in the sanctuary. The congregants present continued to stare blankly at the preacher, waiting for his next line. It came quickly. “Anxiety is ultimately irreverence to God.” Elise’s ears (name changed) rang as she looked at her pastor,...