Every generation of Christians is tempted by causes. Ours is no different. We long for something to rally around, whether it is a campaign or a crisis. Something that will lift us out of the mundane of ordinary obedience and give us the sense that we are finally "doing something big for God."
It explains why sometimes Christians can mobilise more quickly around political slogans than around the basic command to love our neighbour. Or why our churches get excited about national campaigns rather than meeting a fellow Christian for prayer over a cup of tea.
How much responsibility do we have to know what is happening around us?
I have a relative in Australia who never listens to the news on TV or the radio and never scrolls through social media. He did not hear about the shooting at Bondi Beach until days after the event. When he did hear, he did not engage or find out more about it. Does it matter?
Two fires caught Glasgow’s attention last week. One was literal: smoke rising from a blaze at Glasgow Central Station that disrupted the heart of the city. The other was more familiar: the flare-up of anger and confrontation surrounding the latest Rangers–Celtic clash.
For a moment, the two seemed to echo one another — one a physical fire, the other the heat of football rivalry spilling over.
There’s a certain irony that it has recently been International Women’s Day, and I am writing about 1 Peter 3v1-6, which starts, "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands…." If there is any topic that makes people view Christianity as outdated or anti-women, this is the one.
Yet our conviction as evangelicals is that the commands of the Bible are not just true; they are good. Here are three ways in which these instructions by the Apostle Peter are good for women.
Iranian people have lived in fear for many years under a regime which has mismanaged the country and brutalised its people. It’s obvious that Iran needs freedom from such evil oppression.
The democratically elected leaders of the US and Israel have decided to go to war with Iran.
One of the most loved and longstanding BBC dramas is Death In Paradise.
For those who have never watched it, it’s a very light-hearted murder mystery set in Saint Marie (real-life Guadeloupe) in the Caribbean. A stunning backdrop, a loveable cast and the occasional, "I recognise their face from somewhere" guest actor. It’s been a winning formula for 15 series straight.
On Monday, the government released its new official definition of anti-Muslim hostility. This new definition comes with plans to appoint a Special Representative on anti-Muslim hostility whose task will be to “champion efforts across the UK to tackle hostility and hatred directed at Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim.”
As a Christian, I am, of course, opposed to hatred and hostility against anyone. The question here is whether the government should be giving special treatment to Muslims in this regard, and how these terms are defined.
As I look back on five years since the official launch of the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE), it has been fascinating to reflect on the way our ministry has developed under the Lord’s guidance. In particular I’ve been able to discern two complementary models of mission through church planting.
In 2017 I was appointed as “Missionary Bishop to Europe” by GAFCON, to promote a Biblically-faithful Anglican movement in our region as an alternative to alignment with Canterbury. What is a “missionary bishop”? To summarise, we could say that it is a leader who gathers faithful individuals and emerging congregations into an Anglican fellowship and polity in a designated area. And it is to actively instigate the establishment of the church, ordaining and pastoring clergy, linking the new local movement with orthodox Anglicans globally, under the leadership of the GAFCON senior archbishops.
Christian Just War theory represents one of the most influential ethical traditions for evaluating the moral legitimacy of warfare.
Developed within Christian theology but later influencing secular international ethics and law, the theory attempts to reconcile two competing commitments: the Christian call to peace; and the moral responsibility of political authorities to protect the innocent and oppose those threatening harm to others.
A few years ago, I would rarely hear the concept of “Christian nationalism” discussed in a British context.
Aside from a passing mention by a speaker I heard in 2023 whilst at Forum - the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) summer gathering of students - the term's use was confined to American discourse on American phenomena, such as the 6 January Capitol riots and the theonomic propositions of Presbyterian pastor Doug Wilson.
This week, 347 Anglican bishops and 121 lay and clergy Anglican leaders from 27 provinces met in Abuja, hosted by the Church of Nigeria, to “confer and celebrate the Global Anglican Communion”.
The meeting was trailed as a “kairos moment” by Bishop Paul Donison, Gafcon’s General Secretary, a Communion re-ordering. In late October he had set out that the Conference would include the Council of Primates electing a primus inter pares, a "first among equals", to lead the Communion. Yet, in a surprise move mid-way through the gathering, a communique confirmed that the Council of Primates is to be reconstituted as a new leadership body, the Global Anglican Council, with a mix of members including primates, advisors, and guarantors (see en news article here).
What springs to mind when you hear the word “theology”?
Bookshelves full of weighty and dusty tomes that, if not for reading, would make excellent doorstops or draught excluders? Thoughts of long-dead philosophers of religion from centuries past? Earnest young “TheoBros” ever eager for a feisty argument about the logical sequence of the eternal decrees of God or some such esoteric doctrinal debate? Or perhaps you’ve decided that theology is for other Christians; yours is a simple faith, it’s just not your jam. (Isn’t that what we have preachers for? After all, you don’t buy a dog and bark yourself!)
We are in a battle! We see that in a literal and physical way with the recent brutality of the Iranian regime, and other places of the world, like Nigeria, where Christians are in the front line of persecution.
We see it in the “culture wars” when as Christians we feel under attack because of our views about gender and sexuality, amongst other things. We see it in the political realm, as our Government seeks to legislate the liberalisation of abortion, and assisted suicide.
en does not support any one particular party. However, we are interested in evangelicalswithin each of our political parties. Following the recent Green Party by-election win,en invited Andrew Mellen to set out why, as an evangelical, he has chosen the party as his political home.
Last weekend, the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran that killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior leaders.
Iran has retaliated by striking Israel and other countries in the Middle East with US bases, such as the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.
If you’ve heard of Bethel, Redding, California then chances are that you associate them first with their music - a lot of churches sing worship songs composed and produced by Bethel or associated organisations like Jesus Culture.
Secondly, you may think of their reputation as a hyper-charismatic church with a commitment to revivalism.
The assisted suicide bill at Westminster is now highly likely to fall after the government refused to give it any more parliamentary time.
This is a wholly welcome outcome because the assisted suicide bill is deeply divisive and dangerous. At CARE, we do not think it is appropriate to grant the state the legal power to help some people kill themselves.
Is Britain now ungovernable? It seems hard to believe now that one Prime Minister who was in charge for 11 years (Margaret Thatcher) was succeeded by one in power for seven years (John Major) and another who lasted a decade (Tony Blair). By contrast, in the last decade, there have been six PMs.
Various reasons have been suggested and adduced. One is the 2008 financial crisis, which was not only significant in itself but also resulted in a long-term fall in productivity and growth. Another is the long-term structural issue of an ageing population relying on relatively fewer working-age people, creating pressure on public services. Then there are challenges resulting from significant immigration.
Comment
'Ordinary faithfulness'
Every generation of Christians is tempted by causes. Ours is no different. We long for something to rally around, whether it is a campaign or a crisis. Something that will lift us out of the mundane of ordinary obedience and give us the sense that we are finally "doing something big for God."
It explains why sometimes Christians can mobilise more quickly around political slogans than around the basic command to love our neighbour. Or why our churches get excited about national campaigns rather than meeting a fellow Christian for prayer over a cup of tea.
To what degree should a Christian engage with the news?
How much responsibility do we have to know what is happening around us?
I have a relative in Australia who never listens to the news on TV or the radio and never scrolls through social media. He did not hear about the shooting at Bondi Beach until days after the event. When he did hear, he did not engage or find out more about it. Does it matter?
When rivalry becomes hostility - and what this reveals
Two fires caught Glasgow’s attention last week. One was literal: smoke rising from a blaze at Glasgow Central Station that disrupted the heart of the city. The other was more familiar: the flare-up of anger and confrontation surrounding the latest Rangers–Celtic clash.
For a moment, the two seemed to echo one another — one a physical fire, the other the heat of football rivalry spilling over.
Wives according to 1 Peter: Models to the church
There’s a certain irony that it has recently been International Women’s Day, and I am writing about 1 Peter 3v1-6, which starts, "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands…." If there is any topic that makes people view Christianity as outdated or anti-women, this is the one.
Yet our conviction as evangelicals is that the commands of the Bible are not just true; they are good. Here are three ways in which these instructions by the Apostle Peter are good for women.
Iran: Would regime change be enough?
Iranian people have lived in fear for many years under a regime which has mismanaged the country and brutalised its people. It’s obvious that Iran needs freedom from such evil oppression.
The democratically elected leaders of the US and Israel have decided to go to war with Iran.
Pastor, do you suffer from 'chronic busyness'?
I have been wrestling with an uncomfortable question over the last few years - and it's one I've been running from.
Until this year I thought it was a wrestling match that I was winning.
The Biblical case for embracing the uncomfortable
One of the most loved and longstanding BBC dramas is Death In Paradise.
For those who have never watched it, it’s a very light-hearted murder mystery set in Saint Marie (real-life Guadeloupe) in the Caribbean. A stunning backdrop, a loveable cast and the occasional, "I recognise their face from somewhere" guest actor. It’s been a winning formula for 15 series straight.
'Anti-Muslim hate' definition: Towards the Islamisation of Britain?
On Monday, the government released its new official definition of anti-Muslim hostility. This new definition comes with plans to appoint a Special Representative on anti-Muslim hostility whose task will be to “champion efforts across the UK to tackle hostility and hatred directed at Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim.”
As a Christian, I am, of course, opposed to hatred and hostility against anyone. The question here is whether the government should be giving special treatment to Muslims in this regard, and how these terms are defined.
Two complementary models of planting
As I look back on five years since the official launch of the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE), it has been fascinating to reflect on the way our ministry has developed under the Lord’s guidance. In particular I’ve been able to discern two complementary models of mission through church planting.
In 2017 I was appointed as “Missionary Bishop to Europe” by GAFCON, to promote a Biblically-faithful Anglican movement in our region as an alternative to alignment with Canterbury. What is a “missionary bishop”? To summarise, we could say that it is a leader who gathers faithful individuals and emerging congregations into an Anglican fellowship and polity in a designated area. And it is to actively instigate the establishment of the church, ordaining and pastoring clergy, linking the new local movement with orthodox Anglicans globally, under the leadership of the GAFCON senior archbishops.
Are the US-Israel strikes on Iran a 'just war'?
Christian Just War theory represents one of the most influential ethical traditions for evaluating the moral legitimacy of warfare.
Developed within Christian theology but later influencing secular international ethics and law, the theory attempts to reconcile two competing commitments: the Christian call to peace; and the moral responsibility of political authorities to protect the innocent and oppose those threatening harm to others.
Why the 'Christian nationalism' discussion is so divisive
A few years ago, I would rarely hear the concept of “Christian nationalism” discussed in a British context.
Aside from a passing mention by a speaker I heard in 2023 whilst at Forum - the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) summer gathering of students - the term's use was confined to American discourse on American phenomena, such as the 6 January Capitol riots and the theonomic propositions of Presbyterian pastor Doug Wilson.
Ten Questions with Steffan Job
Steffan Job is the Ministry Director of the Evangelical Movement of Wales, and an elder at Capel y Ffynnon, Bangor.
1. How did you become a Christian?
Abuja analysis: Gafcon finds its next step
This week, 347 Anglican bishops and 121 lay and clergy Anglican leaders from 27 provinces met in Abuja, hosted by the Church of Nigeria, to “confer and celebrate the Global Anglican Communion”.
The meeting was trailed as a “kairos moment” by Bishop Paul Donison, Gafcon’s General Secretary, a Communion re-ordering. In late October he had set out that the Conference would include the Council of Primates electing a primus inter pares, a "first among equals", to lead the Communion. Yet, in a surprise move mid-way through the gathering, a communique confirmed that the Council of Primates is to be reconstituted as a new leadership body, the Global Anglican Council, with a mix of members including primates, advisors, and guarantors (see en news article here).
Theology and praise
What springs to mind when you hear the word “theology”?
Bookshelves full of weighty and dusty tomes that, if not for reading, would make excellent doorstops or draught excluders? Thoughts of long-dead philosophers of religion from centuries past? Earnest young “TheoBros” ever eager for a feisty argument about the logical sequence of the eternal decrees of God or some such esoteric doctrinal debate? Or perhaps you’ve decided that theology is for other Christians; yours is a simple faith, it’s just not your jam. (Isn’t that what we have preachers for? After all, you don’t buy a dog and bark yourself!)
We are in a battle
We are in a battle! We see that in a literal and physical way with the recent brutality of the Iranian regime, and other places of the world, like Nigeria, where Christians are in the front line of persecution.
We see it in the “culture wars” when as Christians we feel under attack because of our views about gender and sexuality, amongst other things. We see it in the political realm, as our Government seeks to legislate the liberalisation of abortion, and assisted suicide.
I'm a Christian, and I'm Green - here's why
en does not support any one particular party. However, we are interested in evangelicals within each of our political parties. Following the recent Green Party by-election win, en invited Andrew Mellen to set out why, as an evangelical, he has chosen the party as his political home.
Iran: War, fear and Biblical wisdom
Last weekend, the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran that killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior leaders.
Iran has retaliated by striking Israel and other countries in the Middle East with US bases, such as the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Bethel: A deep dive into the controversial California church
If you’ve heard of Bethel, Redding, California then chances are that you associate them first with their music - a lot of churches sing worship songs composed and produced by Bethel or associated organisations like Jesus Culture.
Secondly, you may think of their reputation as a hyper-charismatic church with a commitment to revivalism.
Palliative care is the way forward, not assisted suicide
The assisted suicide bill at Westminster is now highly likely to fall after the government refused to give it any more parliamentary time.
This is a wholly welcome outcome because the assisted suicide bill is deeply divisive and dangerous. At CARE, we do not think it is appropriate to grant the state the legal power to help some people kill themselves.
Ungovernable?
Is Britain now ungovernable? It seems hard to believe now that one Prime Minister who was in charge for 11 years (Margaret Thatcher) was succeeded by one in power for seven years (John Major) and another who lasted a decade (Tony Blair). By contrast, in the last decade, there have been six PMs.
Various reasons have been suggested and adduced. One is the 2008 financial crisis, which was not only significant in itself but also resulted in a long-term fall in productivity and growth. Another is the long-term structural issue of an ageing population relying on relatively fewer working-age people, creating pressure on public services. Then there are challenges resulting from significant immigration.