July
Our politicians are failing us on obesity. The Bible shows us another way
Food policy and Christian ministry are indistinguishable, says Rev George Pitcher. That’s why addressing the fat of the land should exercise those who follow Christ’s teaching
Is Eurovision’s Sam Ryder a man of faith?
The ears of Christians picked up when Sam Ryder compared the atmosphere at Eurovision to being in church. Is Ryder a Christian himself? Derek Walker investigates
Bowel cancer led my husband to Jesus. I pray it does for Dame Debs too
When Louise Blyth’s husband died of bowel cancer aged 34, his death was marked by a supernatural peace that led them both to find faith
How to fix a problem like Hillsong
The global megachurch has been engulfed by multiple scandals in recent months. As allegations of cover-ups, affairs and inappropriate behaviour do further damage to Hillsong’s reputation, Tim Wyatt asks whether this pre-eminent Christian brand can weather the storm
You are not what you earn
Responding to a controversial suggestion from a government minister about how families can tackle the cost of living crisis, Tim Farron reflects on what the Bible says about our true value
Sam Ryder said ‘joyful’ Eurovision felt like church. I know exactly what he means
Sam Ryder has compared performing at Eurovision to being in church "because there was so much joy". Singer-songwriter Philippa Hanna says that’s because something inherently spiritual occurs when voices unite in song
How renewing your mind can reduce the risk of dementia
Good emotional and mental health can help prevent dementia. That’s good news for Christians, says Louise Morse, who have the Holy Spirit to help them take control of their thoughts. But the greater hope is that God promises to be with us always
Why some Christians are worried Disney is no longer ‘family-friendly’
A row about Disney and LGBT issues is breaking out among Christians in America. As the debate crosses the Atlantic, Heather Tomlinson looks at why this beloved institution is generating so much controversy
What just happened in the Northern Ireland elections and what does it mean for peace?
Last week, Sinn Féin become the first Republican party to emerge top at Stormont. But what exactly does that mean?
Why Christians should repent of past antisemitism
The Church of England has held a special service to apologise for passing anti-Jewish laws 800 years ago that resulted in the expulsion of Jews from England. But can Christians repent of historic acts they were not personally responsible for? Dr James Patrick gives his view
Obstructing Ukrainian refugees is a cynical political manoeuvre and our government should know better
Boris Johnson and Priti Patel are commodifying refugees for personal political survival and it’s an abomination, says Rev George Pitcher
Church leaders aren't looking for special praise...but they deserve it!
Clergy became essential key workers during the pandemic, tirelessly serving their communities. Now it’s over, let’s not forget that they may need supporting too, says Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
The Split: There isn’t much sex in the BBC show, but that doesn’t make it good Christian viewing
As series three of The Split concludes, Rosie Ruth reflects on what the popular TV drama says about society’s attitudes to marriage and infidelity. And it isn’t good
Rowan Williams is wrong. Kirill should not be kicked out of the World Council of Churches
While the Russian Orthodox Church’s endorsement of the invasion of Ukraine is abhorrent, keeping communication open has a better chance of changing hearts and minds
The Northman: A bleak and barbaric reminder of the sin we’ve been saved from
Robert Eggers’ new movie is graphic and brutal. But in it, Nick Mance found a strong reminder of the grace of being saved
End times theology: Why Russia's invasion of Ukraine is significant
The spirit of antichrist is present in much of the world, including Russia, says theologian and end times teacher John Hosier. He explains why world events are a challenge to church leaders to once again start preaching about the second coming of Christ
Hallucinations and delusions made me lonely. Medication helped, but the Church has a role too
Loneliness is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Sharon Hastings suggests how the Church can reach out
I don't agree with all of Bethel's theology. But I'm happy to sing their worship songs
Bethel Church has come under heavy criticism from conservative Christians. Oliver Nicolson disagrees with much of the church's teaching, but he's happy to carry on singing Bethel's popular worship song. Here's why
Men’s events with monster trucks don’t promote toxic masculinity, they’re reaching blokes with the gospel
A US conference has come under criticism for hosting monster trucks and rodeos alongside Christian speakers. For Carl Beech, organiser of a Christian men’s event in the UK, the complaints were not new. But for him, they simply don’t stack up
The Kardashians: The Christian faith of the world’s most famous family
As a new series of The Kardashians begins, Megan Cornwell wonders what Jesus would say to Kim, Khloé, Kris and co
Nicola Sturgeon is right: abortion clinic buffer zones would breach human rights – and reduce choice
If something is being hindered by human rights laws, it’s usually an indicator that it’s wrong, says Lois McLatchie
‘The Church is working as Christ intended’ Diary of a Christian aid worker on the Ukrainian border
Gwyn Williams has just returned from the Ukrainian-Romanian border. There, he saw the despair of people traumatised by loss, and experienced the joy of seeing the Church work together to show Christ’s love.
Peter Hitchens: 'When I was an atheist I was even more selfish than I am now'
The controversial commentator speaks to Tim Farron about his journey from atheism to Christianity, and why Christian politicians should expect to be reviled by their colleagues
I’m an Irish Protestant who just met the Pope. But I promise I’m not a heretic!
It was an honour to be invited into the Pope’s presence, writes Presbyterian minister Steve Stockman
Roe v Wade: We need a grown-up conversation about abortion law
Christians may prefer not to engage in complex and divisive debates about abortion, but there are too many lives at stake not to take a position, says Rev George Pitcher
US Christians like me will rejoice if abortion is made illegal. And we will also care for vulnerable mothers
We must work toward a day when abortion is not only illegal but also unthinkable, says Chelsea Sobolik
What finding Jesus taught me about my Jewish roots
When Jennifer Rosner became a Christian at university, she had no idea that her new-found faith would lead her ever deeper into her Jewish heritage. Here, she shares her story
When it comes to moral failure, Christians must avoid ungodly glee
The corridors of Westminster, and some of our churches, may seem reminiscent of a soap opera. But when Christians are tempted to gloat, we must take a look at our motives, says Jeff Lucas
No, Jesus wasn’t married
Lee Wilson recently argued that Jesus could have been married. Lois Tverberg responds
The air we breathe - Glen Scrivener
“Why do the nations rage?” muses the writer of Psalm 2. The answer, he explains, is that they do so to free themselves from the restraints of God’s moral law. However, as the psalmist, and the rest of the Bible, points out, when you do to that, there is a ...
If porn is OK, what’s wrong with watching it in the House of Commons?
Christians agree that porn is a dangerous subversion of God’s gift of healthy sexuality. But in a secular world where it’s widely accepted, why is everyone getting so excited about an MP caught watching it? Except, of course, if it’s not so OK after all
How 90 days of cold showers, fasting and no TV changed my life
Find out what happened when a Protestant embarked on a radical Catholic spiritual exercise which promised him freedom from addictions, individualism and pride
Grace, truth and second chances: Can we restore fallen leaders?
Following a spate of recent scandals and moral failures involving church leaders, Dr John Andrews considers the possibility of restoration by looking at the biblical example of John Mark
Living in Love and Faith: A critical assessment of the CofE's sexuality course
The Church of England has been encouraging its congregations to "grow together" on issues related to sexuality, identity, relationships and marriage. Nigel Griffiths has been taking part and helping to facilitate the church's Living in Love and Faith (LLF) course, and offers his reflections on what has - and hasn't - worked
Almost half the population believe in Jesus’ resurrection. It’s time for the Church to be bolder
Are more people open to the gospel than we think? A new report suggests they are, says Andy Kind. Let’s start talking Jesus
Church is not a safe space
Jesus often lived a high-risk, low-security lifestyle. As Christians, we are called to follow him, says Andy Flannagan
10 things you thought were in the Bible…but aren’t
It might sound wise and good and true, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s actually in the scriptures
Elon Musk is wrong about Twitter
Don’t listen to Elon Musk: the kind of free speech Twitter enables is not essential to a functioning democracy, says Rev George Pitcher
When it comes to judging Boris, MPs are turning to scripture
Last week’s debate on whether Boris Johnson should be investigated for lying included more Bible references and Christian language than Tim Farron recalls hearing in the House of Commons for a long time. On issues of morality, we are still deeply shaped by Christian values, he says
Why I walked away from Christianity – and why my dad stayed
A father and son share their respective reasons for staying and leaving the faith
How to halt the decline
Why is UK Church attendance falling, and what can we do about it? 12 leaders respond
Together Again: 3 leaders explain how their Christian festivals survived the pandemic
The past two years have seen many Christian gatherings moved online, scaled back or simply not taking place at all. Emma Fowle asks three festival organisers how they survived the pandemic and why they still believe God uses large events so powerfully
Why I won’t give up on church
Imagine this being spoken in the cowboy drawl of a Texan church employee and it gets a whole lot better: “Well here’s the thing about church. It’s like Noah’s ark. It’s a mess. There are animals everywhere, doing their business, and it kinda stinks a lot of the time. But ...
‘God sent me to a war zone’
When the Soviet Union collapsed and Chechnya descended into war, Paula O’Keefe found herself bringing the gospel to a people scarred by conflict and hungry for God
Misogyny is still a massive issue in parliament. Here’s how Christians can pray for change
A Mail on Sunday article which claimed Angela Rayner was distracting Boris Johnson by crossing and uncrossing her legs has been roundly condemned. The MP described the accusation as “misogynistic”, “sexist” and “steeped in classism”. Jenny Symmons from Christians on the Left says such instances are far from isolated
Cryptomania explained: What Christians need to consider before investing in Bitcoin
Bitcoin is here to stay – but what exactly is it? How does it work? And should Christians invest?
Destructive criticism
Bestselling author Rob Parsons believes Christians are increasingly violating the Church community’s standards with waspish critique and verbal attacks. He explains why we must be wise in how we handle the power of the tongue
Leadership Or Servanthood? - Hwa Yung
There’s no doubting that the Church has a leadership problem. The roll call of high-profile leaders that have fallen, failed or been exposed in recent years is sobering. Obviously, human sin is the ultimate cause, but perhaps our model of leadership is also flawed, argues Hwa Yung, who offers a ...
Christians In A Cancel Culture - Joe Dallas
Cancel culture is an important issue for Christians to consider. It occurs when someone is publicly criticised and ostracised for articulating opinions that others consider reprehensible. At its best, it can be a form of virtuous social pressure in which racists, for instance, are held to account. At its worst, ...
The Struggle To Stay - Dr Katie Gaddini
This anthropological study from Dr Katie Gaddini delves into the lives of evangelical Christian women in the US and the UK who find themselves on the fringes of their church traditions, and includes Dr Gaddini’s own journey out of evangelicalism. The book explains how women end up leaving when patriarchy, ...
Braver - Deborah Jenkins
There is a God-shaped hole at the centre of this book. Which is odd, since it is about a vicar in crisis and the neighbours she is trying to help.
Will God only forgive me if I forgive others?
Q: I’ve got a deep regard for the Sermon on the Mount but I’ve always been bothered by Matthew 6:15: “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Likewise, the Lord’s Prayer says: “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who ...
91% of Christians say mental illness is stigmatised in the Church. But the solution may be simpler than you think
How mental health friendly is your church? Tim Wyatt investigates
The King is Alive: Why the resurrection makes all the difference
In explaining the connection between the Old and New Testaments, Lois Tverberg unpacks why the resurrection of Jesus really does change everything
'I was suicidal. But then a Christian prayed for me and everything changed'
When Donna Sleep was invited to Creation Fest by a friend, she was depressed and suicidal. She went, intending to return home to take her own life afterwards. But instead she encountered the powerful love of Jesus
Maverick City’s Dante Bowe: ‘Being famous for being a Christian is ridiculous’
Ahead of his UK debut at Big Church Day Out, the trailblazing worship leader and fashion model talks to us about breaking boundaries, hearing from God and why he’s ‘traumatised’ by the thought of being a Christian celebrity
Greenbelt Festival sits on the fringes of faith. That’s why I love it
Pussy Riot would never have performed at the Christian festivals I attended as a teenager, nor would they ever have been invited. But when it was announced that the Russian feminist punk rock band would be the artists in residence at Greenbelt 2018, it felt apt.
Archbishop Angaelos: ‘The world needs the Church more than ever’
The world needs the Church in all its breadth and diversity, says the first-ever Coptic Archbishop of London.
David’s Tent share their top 8 songs
John Kyle is part of the team that runs David’s Tent, an annual 72-hour non-stop worship festival that takes place in Sussex. He is also a musician and worship leader. Here’s his favourite 8 songs right now
The ‘fool for Christ’ prophetic word that changed my life (thanks, Gerald Coates)
Once in a great while, we bump into one-of-a kind people.
Could Jesus have been married?
The Bible doesn’t answer the question. But it does give us some clues, says Lee Wilson
Understanding shalom: How to find peace in a turbulent world
From world peace to inner peace, we all know that peace is a good thing, and that we’d like more of it. But in the uncertainty and intensity of everyday life, how do we find it?
Doubting Thomas is the perfect apostle for today’s fake news world
‘Doubting Thomas’ gets a bad press. But there is much we can learn from him, says Rev Peter Crumpler
Why the 'science vs religion' debate is changing for good
Belief in old tropes about science and religion is changing for good, says this new research
The Ukrainian roots of Britain’s favourite hymn, ‘How great thou art’
One of the most popular hymns of all time, ‘How great thou art’ was inspired by a song that missionary Stuart Hine first heard in the Ukrainian mountains.
I beat my anxiety by going on mission
18 year-old Jiyun Baek became a Christian during lockdown and shortly afterwards set off on a short term mission trip. She explains how stepping out of her comfort zone to serve on board Logos Hope, has helped calm her anxiety
Thank God the ‘Family Sex Show’ has been cancelled
A theatre show which would have urged children as young as five to explore ‘sexual pleasure’ has been cancelled following a fierce backlash. Catholic campaigner Caroline Farrow welcomes the news
Like Ronaldo, I lost a son. At first I wanted to scream at God. But now my faith is stronger
When Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announced the death of their baby, it brought back memories for Ian O’Reilly, whose own son, Tristan, died days after being born at Shrewsbury Hospital. 22 years later, his faith has been tested and refined by his grief, but is stronger for it
The quiet genius of Brandon Heath
Christian music often relies on repetition of vaguely inspirational concepts. But Brandon Heath’s storytelling skills mark him out from the crowd, says Joel Bush
The gospel is more offensive than anything Archbishop Welby could have said about refugees
Church leaders should use their platform to speak truth to power, but I would much rather they use it to unequivocally preach the gospel, says Tim Farron
In defence of Justin Welby
The Archbishop of Canterbury has been attacked for using his Easter Sunday sermon to lash out at the Government immigration plans. But George Pitcher believes the critics have misunderstood Welby’s message
I was once a refugee. Justin Welby was right to criticise plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda
It’s not the job of the Church to solve the issues surrounding immigration, but it is their job to offer moral guidance, says Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani
Triggered by scripture? This version of the Bible could help you
While supporting survivors of abuse, pastor Mike Leake found Eugene Peterson’s The Message translation of the Bible instrumental in their healing journey
5 tips to help you share your faith
Evangelism is a ministry for the whole Church, not just a few, says James Lawrence. But it doesn’t have to be intimidating
For Black Boys: A triumphant exploration of black masculinity from a Christian playwright
Kayode Adeniran found Ryan Calais Cameron’s play about Black men dealing with issues of faith, education, fatherhood, sex, racism and abuse gritty, compelling and surprisingly uplifting
Your church is being hit by the cost of living crisis. It might be time to look again at your giving
Church incomes could plummet within a matter of months, says Paul Houghton
Why the image of the crucifixion should still shock Christians
The early Christians found the crucifixion so shocking that they didn’t make an image of it for 200 years. Historian Martyn Whittock charts how the Church has depicted the cross since then
What does it mean to ‘walk the way of the cross’?
In this Holy Week, Christians are invited to walk the way of the cross. But what does that actually mean?
What really happened to Jesus on the cross?
RT Kendall reflects on the emotions Christ experienced at Calvary
Politics cannot save us. Only Jesus can
At Easter, Christians remember that Jesus’ death and resurrection turned all our notions of politics and power on their head, says Tim Farron
This 76 year-old grandmother was arrested while praying. She’s still waiting for justice
Rosa, a 76-year-old grandmother, was arrested while walking and praying during lockdown. Due to court backlogs she is still awaiting trial.
Why our church hired an outreach worker to the transgender community
A United Reformed Church in Oxford has become the first congregation in the UK to appoint an outreach worker to transgender people. The church’s minister explains how the decision came about
Did God punish Jesus on the cross?
The doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement has divided Christians in recent years. David Instone-Brewer takes a fresh look at what the Bible says
Could Jesus have survived crucifixion?
Some people deny the resurrection of Jesus, instead claiming that he never died in the first place. Allan Chapman describes, in gory detail, the eight reasons why this is based on a misunderstanding of the crucifixion process
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
Why Jesus' resurrection really happened
Tom Wright explains why, as an ancient historian, he resurrection of Jesus from death makes historical sense.
Boris made the rules, then he broke them. Such leadership failure means there’s no future for him
We could be witnessing the downfall of this government, says Danny Webster
Christian nurses are facing discrimination from an intolerant NHS
Dr Kalpana Dein believes there’s an institutional problem at the NHS when it comes to the treatment of Christian medical professionals
Rishi Sunak has lost all moral credibility over his personal tax affairs
The chancellor can’t increase the tax burden of ordinary working people while benefiting personally from tax loopholes, says Cat Jenkins
Why it isn’t offensive for Christians to celebrate Passover
Last year, the Church of England was heavily criticised for ‘appropriating’ elements of the Jewish Seder Passover celebration into a Maundy Thursday prayer booklet. But Michelle Guinness, herself a Messianic Jew, says she’s never met a Jew who’s offended by Christians celebrating Passover, and there’s much value in understanding the roots of Jesus’ sacrifice
Back from the dead: Tiger, Eriksen and the power of a resurrection story
The remarkable comeback stories of Tiger Woods and Christian Eriksen testify to the power of the resurrection story to engage people’s imagination and bring hope
The week that changed the world?
After gay conversion therapy U-turns from the government, high profile debates over transgender athletes and a contentious letter signed by Lord Rowan Williams and other church leaders, Peter Lynas wonders if this was a world changing week
‘Meeting the practical needs of Ukrainians is far easier than healing their emotional scars’
Over two million Ukranians have now crossed into neighbouring Poland. Christians there are meeting the practical needs of refugees and holding out hope to those fleeing war
Pilgrimage: One celeb found God on this new BBC series. What will happen to the other six?
Scarlett Moffatt has already spoken about how Pilgrimage helped reignite her Christian faith. As the first episode of the new BBC series airs tonight, Emma Westray reviews the show, and gives her take on where God can be found
5 things Christians can learn from Channel 4’s Amish hit 'The Simpler Life'
The Simpler Life, a new reality TV show from Channel 4, follows 24 urbanites as they attempt to live by Amish principles on a farm in rural Devon. Portia Berry-Kilby looks at what it can teach Christian viewers
5 ways to defeat Putin’s plans without leaving your laptop
We are increasingly living in a ‘splinternet’, where citizens in countries like Russia, China and Iran are fed a completely different reality to the one we are presented with. Here’s how Christians can make a difference
I was 17 and homeless when Covid shut schools. The government must make it up to kids like me
Samantha Smith was studying for her A-Levels when schools were closed due to Covid-19. Like many vulnerable young people, it turned her world upside down. The education secretary has now admitted it was a “mistake” to ban kids from the classroom, but she believes the government must do more to repair the damage done
No-fault divorce would have ended my parents’ marriage 30 years ago. Today, they’re serving Jesus together
With her dad addicted to drugs and in the middle of a breakdown, Emma Fowle is convinced that a no-fault divorce would have ended her parent’s marriage. As it was, time – and the prayers of her church family – both played their part in its miraculous restoration
How good do I need to be to get to heaven?
84 per cent of Britons say that you need to be a 'good person’ in order to reach heaven. But how good do we need to be? Kristi Mair shares her perspective
Christine Noble (1938-2022): The Christian freedom-fighter
Christine Noble was a gifted and passionate Christian leader who fought for other women to be free in their callings, says Sue Rinaldi
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