All articles by Jonty Langley
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ReviewsGod wants you to be happy. Pope Francis explains why
In I Want You to Be Happy, Pope Francis makes the bold claim that God desires our happiness. Blending scripture, tradition, and everyday wisdom, this is a thought-provoking and helpful book for everyone - not just Catholics, says Jonty Langley
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OpinionHailey Bieber has berated believers. Is she right?
Following the news that Hailey Bieber has attacked preachers for their use of alliteration, Jonty Langley asks whether this just another sign of our consumer church culture, or if the celebrity’s criticism is correct
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OpinionIn defence of the commercialisation of Christmas
Let’s stop moaning about what Christmas is not, and start living out what it is, says Jonty Langley. If Christians show people the difference Jesus makes to our lives all year round, maybe they’ll see past the presents and parties to the real reason for the season
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OpinionSaint Boris the Skinny shouldn’t be throwing stones at the Church of England
Boris Johnson has blamed the UK’s obesity crisis on the CofE. Jonty Langley thinks he can smell a whiff of hypocrisy
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OpinionIt’s Friday the 13th so don’t forget your Christian superstitions
Wait, Christians aren’t superstitious…are we? On Friday the 13th, Jonty Langley offers a tongue-in-cheek reflection on the traditions we might unwittingly be holding on to
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ReviewsThe Devil’s Passion: A funny and moving play about Jesus, told from Satan’s perspective
This play which merges gospel accounts with modern espionage is Zero Dark 30 pieces of silver. It’s sophisticated, satirical and highly recommended, says Jonty Langley
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OpinionIt’s not John Cena’s Oscars nudity that should offend Christians
Was John Cena’s flesh really the most problematic thing about the Oscars? Christians need to get better at picking their battles, says Jonty Langley
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ReviewsThe blind seer and the gift of love - Roger Haydon Mitchell
How often do you think about the Roman Empire? According to TikTok, if you’re a man, it’s anything from twice a week to several times a day. Whether or not there’s anything in that claim, this book makes twice a week look like rookie numbers. The Blind ...
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OpinionJesus, java and John Piper: Should you drink coffee in church?
The former pastor and popular Christian author John Piper has questioned whether sipping coffee during church services is sufficiently reverent. Jonty Langley responds
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Opinion‘Woke’ and the problem with ‘that’s not in the Bible’ arguments
There are a great many things not specifically mentioned in scripture, says Jonty Langley. So using it as a defence against any idea you don’t like may leave you on shaky ground
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Magazine FeaturesBarbenheimer: Two brilliant films Christians need to be engaging with
Barbenheimer is a cinematic phenomenon. Jonty Langley has watched both Barbie and Oppenheimer, and reckons they each have something profound to say, both to the Church and to our searching culture
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Opinion5 heresies Christians would rather ignore
Dr Lee Gatiss has argued Christians must be bolder in confronting false teaching. Jonty Langley agrees, but believes Christians have had too narrow a view of what constitutes heresy
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OpinionNo more songs please! Have we reached ‘Peak Worship’?
It’s Gloria in excess, says Jonty Langley. Worship leaders are reporting they’re overwhelmed with new songs to choose from. Could it be time for a moratorium on the release of new music?
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OpinionI don’t care about Suella Braverman’s driving, but I do care about her politics
Getting upset about the Home Secretary’s speed awareness course is missing the point, says Jonty Langley. Christians should be more concerned about unjust systems and the policies that create them
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OpinionPeople say silly things during Lent. Now you can tick them off your Lent Bingo card!
The fact that Lent – the most unfun festival in the Christian calendar – has survived this long must be down to a work of God, says Jonty Langley. However you’re marking it this year, why not join in with our game of Lent Bingo
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OpinionChristian Valentine’s Day memes: the good, the bad and the unbearably cringe
This Valentine’s Day, Jonty Langley takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the best and worst Christian dating memes. Little did he realise there would be so many to choose from!
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OpinionShell and the sin of corporate greed
Christians are called to help those in need whenever we can, says Jonty Langley. Supporting structures and systems that turn vast profit at the expense of the most vulnerable is the opposite of that
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Magazine FeaturesWhy Christians should (and shouldn’t) be angry about the Qatar World Cup
In looking ahead to the men’s World Cup, Jonty Langley wonders how the event has become so controversial. The answer, he discovers, is beer. Sort of
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OpinionAfter a church rips off Hamilton, here are the 7 greatest Christian pop parodies
After The Door church in Texas, USA came under fire for performing a Christian version of Broadway musical Hamilton without permission, Jonty Langley shares his favourite so-bad-you’ll-love-them Christian versions of secular songs
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OpinionWhy I think Christians should support the strikes
Despite the widespread disruption and negative media coverage, Christians should take a kingdom view of strike action says Jonty Langley
