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Features
Should churches remove slavery-tainted statues?
In the midst of a polarised and emotive debate, the Church of England is encouraging ‘balanced, inclusive decision-making’
Why Christians need to stop bashing the BBC
The BBC and Church of England have more in common than you might think, says comedian Paul Kerensa
The Church is losing an entire generation. Here’s what you can do about it
Even prior to Covid-19, the number of children and teenagers attending church services in the UK was in steep decline. But after a year like no other, is the answer going back to the way we’ve always done things, or is it time for a fresh approach?
God told me to build a monument to answered prayer
Seventeen years ago, God gave Richard Gamble an audacious vision: to build a national landmark that celebrated a million answered prayers. Turning that vision into reality has been a long, and often arduous, journey, and it isn’t over yet
Investigation: Are Christians in the UK persecuted?
In recent years there have been a string of high-profile religious freedom cases in the news. But is it really true that Christians in the UK are experiencing persecution? Tim Wyatt speaks to those on both sides of the debate
Why abuse in church is worse than you thought
Michele Guinness shares her story of sexual abuse, and says every Christian must play their part in forging a new culture of respect between men and women
Friends: The lasting legacy of TV’s most popular sitcom
With just 10 days to go until the Friends reunion, Jamie Cutteridge considers how the show has connected with young and old alike, and what Christians can take away from it
A silent genocide is being waged against Christians in Nigeria. The world must act now
A slow-motion and largely ignored war is taking place in Africa’s most populous nation, and time is running out, says Rev Johnnie Moore
What porn users need to know
It isn’t just Christians who are campaigning against online porn. Shocking revelations about the industry are causing those outside of the Church to take action too
When prophets fail
Respected leaders in the American Church were convinced God had told them Donald Trump would be re-elected president. Dave Roberts analyses why so many got it wrong, and seeks trusted voices to help us understand the role of the prophetic today
YouTube is the new front line for religious debates. St Paul would have loved it
The modern-day Areopagus is increasingly providing Christians with spiritual content and is an ideal platform for evangelism and debate, says Chris Goswami
Reimagining Britain: God’s vision for a post-pandemic world
The Archbishop of Canterbury says we have an unprecedented opportunity to build a global community that reflects God’s heart for the poor and respects our planet. But real change will require courage – from all of us
How God brought our marriage back from the brink
After a period of separation, Claire and Steve Musters were determined to make their marriage work. During a time of rebuilding, they were challenged by their marriage counsellors to think back to what drew them together in the first place. They realised many of their ideas about marriage had been fuelled by cultural rather than biblical ideals – and they don’t think they are the only ones…
How to thrive in adversity
Having lived with a degenerative condition for years, Patrick Regan has grappled with physical and emotional pain. Here he shares lessons in resilience he has learned personally, as well as gems shared by Anne Frank’s stepsister, Eva Schloss, former hostage Terry Waite and retired police commander John Sutherland
Drawers, doors and the key to a healthy marriage
Dr Gary Chapman may have written bestselling books on marriage, but the early years of his own relationship were a mess. Here he reveals how God challenged him to change his attitude towards his wife – and what a difference that made
5 martyrs every Christian should know
Catherine Pepinster shares the inspirational stories of Christians who were willing to face death because of their faith
Which God tells the truth?
When I was growing up, I remember being told: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Sound advice to give a child. But when I read through the Bible I discovered God operates a little differently.
The emotional cost of lockdown
‘If we pull together everything will be OK.’ That was the message politicians gave us when the pandemic began. But, more than a year on, serious questions are being asked about the cost of lockdowns. Claire Musters takes a closer look at how months of isolation have affected us all
Invisible kingdom: What happened when an agnostic journalist met an evangelical pastor
The open, but agnostic journalist Duncan Evans meets evangelical Middle Eastern pastor Nabil Zakhary
I don’t like your platitude: The case against Christian cliches
Christian cliches. We all know them. And we all use them. But are they more than harmless sayings? Nick Page wonders whether there is more danger in them than we think
What really happened to Jesus on the cross?
RT Kendall reflects on the emotions Christ experienced at Calvary
What the world’s most in-demand TV show teaches us about grief
In tackling the subject of grief, Marvel’s WandaVision is resonating with millions of viewers. But what can Christians take away from the series?
These horrific statistics prove Christian men must stand against sexism
1 in 4 churchgoers have experienced abuse within an intimate relationship. And almost all of the women you know have been sexually harassed at some point in their lives, says Bekah Legg
John Polkinghorne (1930-2021): The pre-eminent voice on science and religion
Alister McGrath remembers the distinguished academic and Anglican priest who has died at the age of 90
Luis Palau (1934-2021): Energetic, enthusiastic and effective
After becoming a Christian at the age of twelve, Luis Palau began preaching on street corners. He went on to reach millions with the gospel. J.John pays tribute to the Argentinian evangelist
What the world's most in-demand TV show teaches us about grief
In tackling the subject of grief, Marvel's WandaVision is resonating with millions of viewers. But what can Christians take away from the series?
You’ve been cancelled
The rise of ‘cancel culture’ has led to people losing their jobs simply for expressing their opinions, says Heather Tomlinson
12 months that changed the church
A global pandemic, which no one was expecting, has had drastic and far-reaching spiritual implications. In speaking to a host of different Christian leaders, Tim Wyatt uncovers three important ways Covid-19 has altered every congregation in the land
A Conservative Unifier?
Following the shock resignation in February of Pope Benedict XVI, Justin Brierley examines his legacy
Why Covid-19 is NOT God's judgement
Premier Christianity's resident Bible scholar David Instone-Brewer explains why he believes this pandemic is not a sign of God's anger
The Rise of China
China may seem like a very foreign land, but issues such as an aging rural Church and communicating the Christian faith in an increasingly materialist culture are much closer to home.
The Corbyn factor: What the Church can learn from JC
He may have lost the last election, but Jeremy Corbyn also inspired a generation of young people to engage in politics. How did he do it, and what can the Church learn? Andrew Buttress explains
John Stott: What every Christian should know about this unlikely radical
As we approach the centenary of John Stott’s birth, it’s an ideal time to reflect on the global impact of this Anglican priest and theologian
Soul: Why a Disney film about death is worth your time
Disney/Pixar’s new blockbuster is themed around the afterlife. In his spoiler-free review, Nathanael Smith says the film contains an unusual but timely message
The rise of the 'evangelical right' in American politics and why it matters
The recent scenes of protesters holding placards with 'Jesus saves' while they stormed the US Capitol, have shocked and disgusted many Christians around the world. Historian Martyn Whittock analyses the rise of the 'evangelical right' in America and asks: has Christianity become corrupted by politics?
The shocking truth about Christianity and the Holocaust
Writing ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day, Simon Ponsonby exposes the ‘Christian’ roots of the worst massacre in modern history
Christian leaders predicted 2020 would be the year of evangelism. Did they get it wrong?
This time last year we published a cover story entitled ‘2020: The Year of Evangelism’. In light of Covid-19 Liz Dodd revisits her article and asks: did the prophets get it wrong?
Why it's utter baubles to claim 'Christmas is pagan'
Christmas is coming! And with it the usual stories telling us that the festival has pagan origins. But is it true? Nick Page investigates
Our official 2020 round up...without mentioning Covid-19
We set our news editor the challenge of rounding up 2020 without mentioning you-know-what. Here’s how he got on
Remember me
Ahead of Armistice Day, Caroline Pattenden considers the significance of the God-given directive to remember Jesus during Communion
What if Covid-19 really is God’s judgement?
It isn’t a popular viewpoint…but could it be true? RT Kendall thinks so
The Shadow Pandemic: domestic violence and the Church during Covid-19
The coronavirus crisis has led to a substantial global rise in violence against women. While the Church hasn’t always been a safe place for survivors of domestic abuse, it now has an opportunity to be a light in these dark times. Megan Cornwell investigates
The prophetic significance of taking a knee
Ryan Galpin looks at whether Christian athletes should be taking the knee in support of racial justice
The top 5 apps to help you pray
With many churches still closed, now is the ideal time to explore the technology designed to help you draw closer to God
The problem with Body Positivity and Body Neutrality
Caroline Pattenden has struggled with negative feelings about her body for as long as she can remember. She explains why the current trends of Body Positivity and Body Neutrality contain some truth, but fall short of the Bible’s life-changing message
How to have hope in the face of coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic has led to an exponential rise in mental health conditions triggered by all-pervading death anxiety. Prof John Wyatt says Christians must daily rekindle biblical hope as an antidote to fear-driven government policies
Why I changed my mind
Pete Greig reveals his theological U-turn.
The problem with pedestals
As toxic behaviour by some of the Church’s biggest names is uncovered, Heather Tomlinson says the problem isn’t just with them. It’s with us
A Christian charity pressured me to sign a non-disclosure agreement
A writer who wishes to remain anonymous considers the ethical implications of the NDA
Was Paul a good preacher?
The gospel spread in spite of Paul’s preaching, rather than because of it, suggests David Instone-Brewer
Cancel culture: a Christian response
After Jamie Cutteridge found himself on the receiving end of widespread anger and abuse, he reflected on his own online behaviour in the light of Jesus’ teachings
6 ways to build a better world after lockdown
The coronavirus crisis has revealed just how injured God’s earth is, but this pandemic has also given us a rare opportunity to ask big questions. Could a dramatic societal shift be on the horizon? Dr Ruth Valerio thinks so
How Number 10 opened its door to evangelicals
Government attitudes towards Christians have shifted dramatically over the past decade, says Tim Wyatt
Dealing with disappointment: When life doesn’t turn out as you expect
From facing infertility to dealing with a breakdown, five Christians share the hope they have in Jesus
To save a life is to save a world
Lois Tverberg explores the Hebraic principle which influenced the teachings of Jesus, and explains why it is relevant to today’s pandemic
Investigation: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?
Intrepid explorer Chris Sinkinson goes on a virtual world tour in search of the most valuable wooden box on earth
Coronavirus: 7 inspiring stories of Christians making a difference
Our head of news Marcus Jones reports on how Christians are serving their local communities
Who are the Hebrew Israelites and why do they believe that Jesus is black?
Megan Cornwell investigates the sect that believes African Americans are the true Hebrew Israelites
Conversations with the country’s most hated men
Daniel Kerrigan is a Christian working inside UK prisons. In this extract from his diary, he lifts the lid on his time with Britain’s most infamous criminals
The sin of sentimentality
Public expressions of emotion aren’t wrong, but they should have a health warning attached, says Dr Daniel Strange
Heidi Crowter, Matt Dillahunty, Down syndrome... and the disturbing consequences of getting rid of God
Following his debate with a leading atheist, Glen Scrivener explains why rejecting Christianity can result in chilling moral consequences
An audience of one: RT Kendall on how to live for God's approval
RT Kendall explains why God’s opinion is the only one that matter
What has Christianity ever done for us?
That was the challenge levelled at historian Tom Holland by AC Grayling, one of Britain’s leading atheist philosophers. The answer, it turns out is: quite a lot
Decoding the Bible: Spiritual maladies
What does the Bible say about mental illness and demonic possession? David Instone-Brewer investigates
5 Greek words every Christian should know
Kallie Skaife reveals how understanding the language of the New Testament has deepened her relationship with God
When John Lennox met Dave Rubin
Justin Brierley has moderated hundreds of lively debates on Christianity and atheism, but when a renowned Christian apologist met a popular YouTube personality at a Californian megachurch, it turned out to be one of the most remarkable events the broadcaster has ever hosted
Why Instagram's get fit trend could be #BadForYourSoul
Instagram pumps out millions of images that could inspire us to get fit in 2020, but Heather Tomlinson says the trend should come with its own health warning
Holographics, automation and digital debt: 6 ways the Church will look different in 2040
Futurist Mal Fletcher considers how Christians will be living in 20 years
2020: The Year of Evangelism
High-profile preachers and pastors are joining forces with evangelistic organisations to galvanise Christians to share their faith. Could this be a breakthrough year?
Gluttony: The heart problem that gives you heart problems
As Christmas approaches, so does the temptation to overindulge. James Cary reviews his own dramatic weight loss in light of what the Bible says about gluttony
Confidence in Christmas: Why the Nativity story is true
Following his debate on The Big Conversation, Dr Peter J Williams explains why we can be confident in the story of Jesus’ birth
50 years of CCM: Why the glory days of Christian music are over
As Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) turns 50 years old, Derek Walker says the genre has lost its way
The Testaments: Is Margaret Atwood's Booker Prize winner anti-Christian?
Megan Cornwell reviews the most anticipated book of 2019
God’s not dead - 3 ways that that the Cosmos points to a Creator
Following his Big Conversation with cosmologist Roger Penrose, renowned Christian philosopher William Lane Craig outlines three ways the science of the universe points to God
Dying well: How to face death with faith and not fear
Retired intensive care doctor Professor John Wyatt shares his unique perspective on what it means to die well
We’re in a crisis of meaning. Do the stars of the IDW have a solution?
Thousands of people are turning to the academics who make up the so-called Intellectual Dark Web with their questions about the meaning of life. As The Big Conversation from Unbelievable? relaunches, Esther O’Reilly asks whether they‘ll find the right answers.
What every Christian needs to know about Generation Z
Today’s teenagers and 20s make up the first truly biblically illiterate generation. Tim Alford explores how the Church can best communicate the gospel to this unreached people group
The case against sermon-centric Sundays
Skye Jethani explains why digital technology is disrupting our 500-year-old emphasis on lengthy Sunday sermons
China: Inside the biggest revival in history
Bestselling author Paul Hattaway gives us a rare glimpse inside China’s underground Church
Why we should ban Bible study
Interacting with the Bible should be a rewarding and transformational experience, argues Nick Page
RT Kendall: When Word and Spirit come together, revival will follow
Christians have taken sides for too long. Either we’ve pursued strong biblical teaching, or we’ve gone after an experience of God’s presence. It’s time to end the war, says RT Kendall
Soul Survivor: The end of an era
As their summer festivals draw to a close this month, Ruth Jackson reflects on 26 years of Soul Survivor.
Meet the Bruderhof: Our exclusive peek inside a modern Christian utopia
Megan Cornwell spends 48 hours with the Christian community where all possessions are shared, faith sits at the centre of daily life and crime is nonexistent. But is this mere escapism, or a much-needed return to the model the early Church gave us?
Why time is running out for orphanages
Did you know that the overwhelming majority of children living in residential care are not orphans? Krish Kandiah uncovers the shocking truth
Why we need to talk about race
Ben Lindsay is a black pastor of a white majority church, who has written a new book exploring race. He explains why a push for diverse congregations isn’t enough.
This godless Netflix comedy from Ricky Gervais is full of muddled post-post-Christian thinking
Love him or loathe him, the atheist comedian Ricky Gervais is back with a new Netflix show. We asked James Cary, the self-professing sitcom geek and writer behind some of television’s most popular programmes, to review it.
5 stories of miraculous provision
From money turning up in bank accounts out of the blue to the family of God responding to each other’s financial needs, here are five incredible testimonies.
Why the Church's conspiracy of silence is hurting gay Christians
While researching various Christian views on sexuality, Megan Cornwell uncovered a conspiracy of silence. Is it time for churches to come out and say what they really think?
Holy Ghosting: When Christians vanish from church
Katie Stock reports on a mysterious phenomenon
The rise of secularism
The Church is being scrutinised by a growing number of people who do not share our faith. Should we be worried? Megan Cornwell investigates.
The North Pole, faulty maps and why it's dangerous to follow your heart
Trevin Wax explains what the historic search for the North Pole teaches us about the dangers of following your heart.
Is the resurrection beyond belief?
David Instone-Brewer examines the gospel accounts of Jesus rising from the dead, and responds to the claim that early Christians simply made the story up
Joshua Harris: Why I regret writing 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye'
I Kissed Dating Goodbye changed the way a generation of Christians thought about sex, relationships and purity. But two decades on, intense criticism has led Joshua Harris to pulp his bestselling book and issue an apology
In search of a superhero: How Marvel is fulfilling our generation's longing for escape
As the phenomenally popular Marvel film franchise continues this month with the release of Avengers: Endgame, film critic Nathanael Smith explains why he believes the franchise stands for very little and resists substance at almost every opportunity
Deconstructing faith: Meet the evangelicals who are questioning everything
A new generation is re-thinking what they've been told about Christianity, the Bible and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. They argue a 'new reformation' is taking place as they voice their doubts and embrace a process known as theological deconstruction. Those who have walked this road say it's a life-giving and ultimately faith-affirming process, but others are sceptical. Sam Hailes investigates
7 ways to stop sinning
Nick Page explains why he believes these insights from psychology can help us live less sinful lives
Marie Kondo: A Christian response to the cleaning guru everyone's obsessed with
The Japanese cleaning guru Marie Kondo is in vogue, but should Christians adopt her ideas? Liz Dodd gives her view
How a fasting retreat helped me process the loss of our child
After experiencing a period of intense emotional stress, Lisa Mainwaring booked herself into a fasting retreat in Germany. What happened next dramatically changed her outlook on grief and her relationship with God
Do you want more FROM God or more OF God?
The difference between wanting more from God and wanting more of God is subtle but vitally important, says RT Kendall
YouthTube: The trash-talking vloggers your kids are watching
Our young people are increasingly being influenced by popular vloggers who upload hours of footage to YouTube every week. But even though these videos are often aimed at children and teenagers, Justin Brierley explains why some of them make for disturbing viewing
Remember who you are
Scripture is a weapon we should use offensively to cut down the negative thoughts we repeat to ourselves, says Claire Musters
The Premier Christianity guide to 2018
We said goodbye to the greatest evangelist of our time, a biblically-named bakery triumphed at the Supreme Court and Google forgot who Jesus is. Sam Hailes reports on the biggest stories of the year
The Passion translation: Dr Brian Simmons responds to his critics
The former missionary explains why he’s produced a somewhat controversial new translation of the Bible called The Passion
The lost children of Lebanon
ITV News at Ten presenter Julie Etchingham recently travelled to Lebanon to see CAFOD’s work supporting Syrian refugees. During the trip she kept a diary detailing her experiences
Eucharismatic: Why Christians should honour both Spirit and sacrament
Andrew Wilson explains how a fresh understanding of wine in the Bible will make you want to praise God on both the loud cymbals and the loud symbols
Blasphemy: How to respond when God's name is used as a swear word
Public attitudes toward the third commandment have undergone a radical shift in recent years. Megan Cornwell wonders what we should do about it
Who created human rights? (and why it's a problem for atheists)
It is 70 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations. Following his Big Conversation debate with Peter Singer, Andy Bannister says the document still poses a significant problem for atheists
Exposing the dark foundation of extreme biohacking
These men are pushing their bodies to the limit. But their aspirations aren't as pure as you might think
How does faith survive the death of your 11-year-old son?
Martin and Rachel Riddall share their view of the valley of the shadow of death
5 Hebrew words every Christian should know
Melissa Briggs explains how an ancient language revolutionised her walk with God
Why both atheists and Christians need to believe in free will
Free will vs determinism isn’t just a debate for Christians. Atheists face a similar conundrum, as Justin Brierley explains
Why all your friends are going vegan
Plant-based diets have skyrocketed in recent years, taking a fringe movement into the mainstream, but should Christians get their teeth into this new trend?
RT Kendall: How to be popular in heaven and famous in hell
The popular author and speaker explains why every Christian should seek notoriety among angels and demons
How to live for God while living in Babylon
The prophet Daniel stood firm in a culture that undermined everything he stood for. Prof John Lennox explains how today’s Christians can learn from his example and bring light to a secular society
How Hillsong conquered the world and changed the way we worship
What began as a single Sydney congregation is now a global church famous for producing some of Christendom’s best-known worship songs. As Hillsong gears up to plant yet more congregations across the UK, we take a peek behind the scenes of this pioneering megachurch
The Tipping Point: Why climate change is the biggest threat facing our generation
Megan Cornwell reports on the Christian case for urgent action on climate change
Atheist Fairytales: Exposing secularism's major myths
Popular atheists including Steven Pinker say that science, human rights and reason are a result of the Enlightenment conquering religious superstition. That’s just another fairytale, argues Nick Spencer
The gospel according to Google
Their motto used to be “Don’t be evil”. But as The Big G celebrates its 20th birthday, questions are being raised about the tech giant’s growing influence
When Derren met Richard: the atheist illusionist and the Christian priest
The UK’s most famous illusionist recently sat down with the country’s best known vicar to talk about faith and happiness. Justin Brierley introduces their conversation
Whether you adore it or abhor it, Love Island is a wake-up call for Christians
Megan Cornwell explains what we should learn from ITV2's most-watched programme
Holy spokes: What cycling around the world taught me about God
Liz Dodd wasn’t expecting a spiritual encounter when she set off from England to cycle around the world. But God had other ideas
Is the Pope a Catholic?
The leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics is facing increasing hostility within his own Church. Is he a heretic leading the flock astray or a revolutionary reorienting Catholics back to Christ’s vision in the New Testament? Megan Cornwell investigates
Is Jordan B Peterson the saviour of Christianity?
The phenomenally popular psychologist is on a mission to bring order to a chaotic world. And he’s using the Bible to do it
Why you should have nothing to do with divisive Christians
Do you recognise the description of this kind of Christian? Rob Parsons encourages us to heed the Bible's warnings about "divisive" Christians
Faith in action: How Christians are plugging the gap left by austerity
As government austerity is blamed for a rise in UK poverty, Megan Cornwell reports on how churches are intervening to help those in need
A woman's place
Society’s attitude towards women has undergone a massive shift in recent years. But does the Church also need to re-examine its views? Katie Harrison investigates
How to live when the world thinks you’re an extremist
Christian ideals are no longer celebrated. Instead we are being pushed to the margins, argue researchers David Kinnaman and Gareth Russell
How studying Hawking’s Big Bang led me to God
Ahead of his appearance at Unbelievable? The Conference 2018, astrophysicist Dr Hugh Ross shares his testimony
Identity politics: Should Christians get involved?
You’ve checked your privilege, fought oppression and resisted the patriarchy. But is your campaign motivated by love or rage? And should Christians even get involved at all?
I visited six US megachurches. Here's what I learned
Justin Brierley travelled the length and breadth of the USA to go behind the scenes of some of the country’s biggest churches
Why the cross is bigger than you think
Dr Krish Kandiah explains how Jesus’ words from the cross reveal God’s hospitality towards us
Trump's tweets are full of lies, deception and distortion. And they're hurting our democracy
Danny Webster tackles the President's online rhetoric
Holy Fire: The biggest miracle you've (probably) never heard of
Thousands of pilgrims will soon gather in Jerusalem to witness the Orthodox Church's biggest miracle. But is it real?
Christ 'emptying himself' is a neglected doctrine. We must reclaim it this Easter
The Bible contains many different metaphors that explain what Jesus achieved on the cross. But David Instone-Brewer says this doctrine is special
You are a leader (whether you like it or not)
God has placed within you an instinct to matter and to influence. Here’s how you can use that for good.
God & Hamilton: The spiritual messages behind the musical everyone's talking about
Hamilton is now playing in the UK. Kevin Cloud explores the often-overlooked spiritual messages
When God doesn’t heal: Practical help for the hurting
Wes Sutton, director of Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, offers guidance on how to respond when God doesn’t heal our loved ones
The Battle for London: How Christians are fighting back against a knife crime epidemic
With gang culture on the rise and 26 teenagers stabbed to death in the capital last year, we meet the Christians battling for peace
How theological college changed my life
Attending college can often be a turning point in people’s lives. Here, seven Christians share their life-changing experiences
Don't leave singalongs to the 1950s. Here's how we can recover family worship
Modern hymn writer Keith Getty explains why he wants to get families singing together again
5 ways to connect with God in 2018
Many of these practices are hundreds of years old, but as Claire Musters discovered, they've huge relevance for Christians today
How 3 very different churches experienced remarkable growth
Contrary to popular opinion, the Church is not on its deathbed. Sam Hailes tells positive stories of growth from across the UK
Rise of the Robots: Could AI spell the end of humanity as we know it?
The idea of a 'robot takeover' is no longer limited to sci-fi movies. As technology develops, Artificial Intelligence is becoming a reality in our world. Richard Woodall investigates
When God Uses Dreams: 5 amazing stories
From Muslims seeing Christ to the provision of a marriage partner, God is reaching people through dreams
How a disastrous decision forced me to take off my mask in church
We all wear masks. But when Claire Musters experienced a marital meltdown, the mask she wore slipped for good. She explains what she learned in the process
Welcome home
Krish Kandiah explains how discovering a biblical vision of adoption changed his life forever
Preventing adultery
The Jews of Jesus’ day devised a clever way to encourage marital faithfulness. Should the Church implement something similar?
How evangelicals took over the Church of England
From Justin Welby to the HTB effect, evangelical influence on the Church of England has grown dramatically. But not everyone is pleased, and sexuality still threatens to split the denomination
Christina Dean: The ethical fashion pioneer on a mission to change the way you shop
Searching through refuse tips for thrown away clothes may not sound very fashionable, but Christina Dean isn’t your average designer
Building real relationships is a messy business
Authentic faith and effective evangelism require the courage and compassion to invest in deep relationships. I thought StoryHouse, our new missional coffee shop, was good at this, but now I realise we’re still amateurs.
Weinstein’s Fall
If you hadn’t heard of Harvey Weinstein a month ago, you almost certainly have by now.
Pro-life protestors face ban on eve of Abortion Act 50th anniversary
Pro-life protesters could be banned from standing outside a west London abortion clinic following a “ground-breaking” and unanimous decision by Ealing Council.
People in the news
A painting of Jesus by Leonardo da Vinci is expected to sell for $100m. Dmitry Rybolovlev is auctioning the picture to help fund a $605m divorce bill.
Paradise Lost: How Channel 4’s Eden turned into a living hell
Channel 4 wanted to create a utopia. Instead their reality TV show Eden went very wrong indeed
Oxford college reverses ban on Christian Union
An Oxford university college which banned the Christian Union (CU) from exhibiting at its Freshers’ Fair in order to maintain a “secular space” has come under heavy criticism.
It isn’t easy to be a strong Christian voice in the media, but Justin Welby must be bolder
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s media strategy is perplexing, argues James Mildred
Commuters flee rush-hour train after man reads Bible
Hundreds of thousands of commuters experienced major disruption during rush hour after commuters fled from a man who was reading the Bible out loud on a London train.
Worshipping with angels
David Instone-Brewer considers a heavenly perspective on our worship gatherings
Why tech free Sundays saved my family
Is your family's digital diet out of control? Mark Ellis explains what happened when he began 'tech-free Sundays'
The Grace Awakening: How the Reformation changed the world
It’s 500 years since Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a church door in Wittenberg and kickstarted the Protestant Reformation. Michael Reeves explains why it matters
God behind bars: faith stories in an immigration removal centre
The treatment of immigration detainees has made TV headlines recently. Chaplain Rev Roger Harper shares the stories of those he has prayed with behind the barbed wire fences of a removal centre
Diary of a mentally ill Christian
Daniel Jarsdel who suffers from schizophrenia reveals what it’s like to seek help through the NHS
The Grace Awakening
It’s likely that the vast majority of the British public will be oblivious to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which is being marked by many Christians this month.
Wonder Women: Celebrating 100 years of female ordination
Katie Stock looks at the rise of women in church leadership positions
The Jesus People Revolution: the 60s hippies who changed the world
It's 50 years since thousands of hippies found Christ on the beaches of California and made their way to the UK. Andrew Whitman traces their legacy
The forgotten generation
The elderly are often overlooked by the Church. But running a memory café for people with dementia has led to a rebirth of Rev Steve Morris’ congregation. He explains how every church can help combat loneliness
The course that changed my life
From developing your prayer life to working on your marriage, when it comes to embarking on a Christian course there’s more choice than ever. Six ordinary people explain how giving up just a few hours a week dramatically changed their lives for the better
If entrepreneurs ran the Church
With UK Church attendance in steady decline, is it time for Christian leaders to take advice from people with a track record of running successful organisations? Peter Kerridge asks three Christian business people hard questions about the future of the faith
Communicate like Christ: 5 ways to be more persuasive
How can learning about our brain’s hardwiring enable us to be more persuasive? Steve Adams explains
‘Broken’ is the best portrayal of priesthood I've seen on TV
Rev Cindy Kent MBE explains how the widely acclaimed BBC One drama series, Broken, starring Sean Bean, portrays the complexity of church ministry 15 BBC Pictures
Unbelievable? How I got atheists listening to Christian radio
What makes an atheist want to listen to a Christian radio show? Drawing from his new book, Justin Brierley explains why believers need to learn the art of good conversations again
How to turn your fast food Bible into a feast
It’s time to change the way we consume scripture, says Glenn Paauw
Digital disciples
Is meeting together online a valid expression of church? Joe Ogborn investigates
Beauty from Brokenness: These Christians are trying to restore dignity among sex workers
There are no simple answers when it comes to prostitution. Katie Stock reports
The Gospel according to grime: Why these artists are rapping about God
An album titled Gang Signs and Prayer recently reached number one in the UK charts. Grime record label boss turned church pastor Ben Lindsay explores the connection between hip-hop and faith
God’s own country: Rethinking Christian patriotism
Following the third national vote in just over two years, Jo Swinney looks at what nationalism might mean for citizens of the kingdom of heaven
The Missing Jewel: How the modern worship movement was born
Les Moir, the producer behind the UK's best known Christian albums, explains how a new way of worshipping God began 50 years ago
Rethinking politics: Should Christians embrace or eschew it?
With another election around the corner, Heather Tomlinson asks, "Is engaging in politics really part of our mission and calling as Christians?"
Justin Welby: How to pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ and mean it
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby introduces a new prayer movement
Help! I’m having a mid-faith crisis!
Nick Page, with the assistance of the Very Hungry Caterpillar, explains how to turn your crisis into a chrysalis
Grief, the church and the stiff upper lip
Grief and British culture often don’t mix well. It’s hardly a surprise that the nation of the ‘stiff upper lip’ struggles to articulate the emotional web that is grief. It appears that men in particular struggle in this area. Some have suggested that a reluctance to talk about grief has contributed to the high suicide rate among young men.
RT Kendall: How the church fell asleep and why it needs to wake up
We must get ready for the second coming, says RT Kendall
Would I lie to you? How Christians can fight back against fake news
There’s an unholy trinity of post-truth, alternative facts and fake news pervading our culture. Former tabloid journalist Sarah Lothian explains how Christians should respond
Trump vs Jesus
Donald Trump stumbled at the first hurdle of his campaign to win the Republican nomination for the President of the USA. Losing the Iowa vote to rival Ted Cruz seemed to deflate Trump a little, whose rhetoric up until that point had been all about winning (‘We’ll have so much winning you’ll get bored with winning,’ he had told his supporters).
Theology Matters
I enjoyed writing an article for this month’s magazine about new theological ideas that we think the readers of Premier Christianity would like to know about (p36). I look forward to receiving an inbox of emails from people objecting to the controversial ones too.
Thy Kingdom Come
When an advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer was deemed to be unsuitable for consumption by cinemagoers recently, the press had a field day covering the story. Digital Cinema Media (DCM) ruled against the advert as it might offend people of other faiths or none (see News, p11).
It's just a bag
A tradition has sprung up in recent years in which retailers compete to produce the most memorable TV advert in the run up to Christmas. This year there is one clear winner, in my opinion.
Unexpected items
One of my favourite reads over the summer was Andrew and Rachel Wilson’s new book The Life You Never Expected (IVP). The couple, who are both involved in church leadership, share how their lives were turned upside down when their two children unexpectedly regressed into a form of severe autism.
That went quickly!
Welcome to our shiny 50th anniversary edition! (And yes, you’ll probably have to wait another 50 years before you see metallic gold on the front cover again.)
The youth of today
Oscar Wilde once said ‘Youth is wasted on the young’.
Hope for the next generation
My four-year-old son recently asked me whether God was Jesus’ brother.
Keep it simple
An online video, in which Baptist minister Hayley Young movingly describes her struggle with being HIV-positive following an attack, recently captured the attention of the UK press.
Should we have published that article?
Due to the nature of our printing schedule, I always write this editorial page for Premier Christianity at least two weeks ahead of this magazine actually landing on your doormat. What this means is that as you read this, you will know the outcome of the British general election, whereas I (at the time of writing) do not.
Getting God’s vote
If you are reading this, it’s reasonably likely that you are an evangelical Christian. And if you are an evangelical Christian, it’s very likely that you will be voting in the general election on 7th May (indeed, 94% of evangelicals are very likely to vote, according to a recent poll from the Evangelical Alliance).
Dear Stephen...I believe in Oscar Wilde’s God
When a video of Stephen Fry angrily denouncing God as an ‘evil, capricious, monstrous maniac’ went viral online, it was proof that the subject of religion still stirs strong emotion, even in a largely secular society.
It's official...I can't rap
I recently caused a few laughs during a lunch break with my magazine colleagues when I attempted a rap: ‘Living and driven, given a vision/ Fulfilling the commission with spiritual intuition/People you need to listen’. I was told to leave it to the experts.
Not such a dirty word
It was a last-minute decision. To complement Martin Saunders’ article on pornography we commissioned an anonymous online poll of Christians. The aim was to see what percentage of believers would admit to regularly accessing porn online.
New Year Revelation
New Year is always a boom time for health and fitness clubs. The guilty aftermath of Christmas excess produces a spike in gym membership. Of course, the number of guilt-induced resolutions that actually result in long-term change is debatable. I went for my first run of the New Year on 1st January, 2013. I haven’t yet been on my second one.
Why Jesus wouldn't win The Apprentice
The BBC’s long-running TV show The Apprentice returned to our screens this autumn. Once more, a set of candidates with egos larger than their actual business acumen are battling it out for the chance to become Lord Alan Sugar’s business partner.
Welcome to our Female Focus edition
My passion for women’s ministry was birthed in a school cloakroom – the meeting place of a small gathering of Christian teenage girls in my school year. We met there daily to pray together before school began.
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