All articles by Heather Tomlinson
-
Magazine Features
Short term mission trips have become controversial. Should Christians leave them behind?
Short-term mission has come under heavy criticism in recent years, with concerns ranging from white saviourism to doubts over motivations and priorities. But Heather Tomlinson discovers another side to the story
-
News Analysis
‘Hiding in plain sight’ As the Mike Pilavachi report alleges abuse, here are the lessons to learn
Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi manipulated, controlled, and mistreated young people under his spiritual care, a new independent report has stated. Fiona Scolding’s report confirms the findings of previous investigations. It also contains many potential lessons for the wider Church, reports Heather Tomlinson
-
News Analysis
Millions have flocked to Medjugorje. What should we make of claimed visions of the Virgin Mary?
Last week the Vatican welcomed what it calls “abundant spiritual fruits” in the Bosnian town of Medjugorje, but has stopped short of validating the claimed Marian apparitions that have reportedly taken place there in recent years. Heather Tomlinson explains the full story
-
Opinion
The Church has been ignoring rising extremism within its ranks. Here's what we need to do
Dangerous extremism is on the rise among all political tribes. Heather Tomlinson is urging Christians to act and pray now, in order to counter the rising tide of hate
-
News Analysis
March for Life: Why is Gen Z taking up the pro-life cause?
With a record 250,000 abortions now taking place in England and Wales per year, the pro-life cause appears to be losing ground. But could the next generation of pro life activists succeed where elder generations have failed?
-
Testimonies
How a far right extremist found God
Theo Wilmot is a former activist for the far right political group Patriotic Alternative. He explains how the unexpected welcome and love he experienced in multicultural churches helped him leave his old views behind
-
Magazine Features
A bitter pill: Why Christians are rethinking contraception
Christian attitudes towards contraception have changed radically during the past century. As young women start to question its use, is it time for the Church to do the same?
-
Interviews
‘I was a racist. But God’s love changed my heart’
A former member of the far right speaks out about the need for conversion to the love of Christ as the answer to the violence on our streets
-
News Analysis
Did this pastor correctly prophesy the assassination attempt on Trump?
The internet is ablaze with a Pastor’s apparently bullseye-accurate prophesy about the attempted murder of former US president Donald Trump. Is Brandon Biggs’ prediction accurate?
-
News Analysis
‘It’s just Gerald being Gerald’ – safeguarding inquiry into Pioneer founder concludes
Gerald Coates, the founder of a network of charismatic churches, has been found to have engaged in behaviour with under 18s that was inappropriate, according to a recent safeguarding review. Here’s what we know so far
-
Magazine Features
Is LGBT ideology a new kind of colonialism?
Christian leaders in the UK have spoken of making amends for Britain’s colonial past, yet many Africans say that when it comes to sexuality, the West is still imposing its beliefs on them today. Heather Tomlinson explores the widening international chasm on sexual ethics
-
Reviews
Nice Churchy Patriarchy - Liz Cooledge Jenkins
If you agree that Christian women are victims of the patriarchy and the evils of traditional gender roles, then you might value these anecdotes of a feminist navigating her way through the American Church. Otherwise, I do not find much to commend it. Liz Cooledge Jenkins recounts ...
-
Magazine Features
Islam: Navigating the choppy waters of interfaith relations
Jesus came to bring both truth and love. Has the Church followed its master when it comes to the increasingly tense and complex subject of British Islam?
-
News Analysis
Explained: Why is everyone up in arms about “Christ is King”?
A row has exploded on X (formerly Twitter) over the phrase “Christ is King”. Surely this is something all Christians believe. So why has it become contentious? Heather Tomlinson explains
-
Reviews
Life in the Negative World - Aaron M Renn
Christians in the UK have long lived in what Aaron Renn calls the “negative world”, receiving hostility and suspicion from the wider culture because of our beliefs. The secularisation of the USA, where Renn lives, has been slower, but this book examines the phenomenon and suggests solutions. ...
-
Opinion
5 ways Christians can dodge the dopamine cartels
An viral essay by historian Ted Giola says we need to act now if we want to save art and culture from the dopamine rush that is enslaving us all.
-
Reviews
Worried about young people deconstructing their faith? This book might help you
Rejecting scripture as the arbiter of Christian belief and replacing it with your own personal judgements is destructive, say the authors of a new book on deconstruction. The fightback is on
-
News Analysis
The Christian faith of billionaire media mogul Sir Paul Marshall
The owner of GB News and father of the former Mumford & Sons banjo player has come under fire for recent activity on social media
-
Reviews
Covenant - Danny Kruger
In modern British politics, discussion about Christianity and its positive contribution to society is unusual. So a book by a sitting MP, which bemoans our collective loss of Judeo-Christian ethics and argues for their reintroduction into government policy, is welcome. The Conservative MP and Christian, Danny ...
-
Magazine Features
Is free speech under threat?
As a survey suggests a quarter of young people would ban the Bible if it contained hate speech, and Christians are wrongfully arrested while street preaching, Heather Tomlinson investigates: Is our freedom of speech being eroded?