In depth | Evangelicals Now

Why Lent is more than a dead ritual observance

Elyse Fitzpatrick

For some of us, the observance of Lent is a regular part of our faith. But for others, it might seem void of meaning - maybe an ancient ritual utterly disconnected from life in the here and now. "What does that have to do with us?" I understand the question. And that’s why slowing down and taking time to incorporate Lenten practices is so important for us all.

The meaning of Lent

Lent’s true meaning goes far beyond mere tradition. It is a profound spiritual practice that invites believers to deepen their faith and experience a transformative journey.

The 'broken' are God's most useful instruments

Dan Steel

I know we’ve only just celebrated Christmas and the Incarnation, but as Arsene Wenger famously (allegedly) said: “Christmas is important but Easter is decisive.” And the thing about the Easter story for pastors and ministry leaders is it’s not merely a doctrine we proclaim but a pattern we embody.

We follow Jesus who moved through betrayal, abandonment, agony, and the darkness of death before the stone was rolled away on the third day. He told his disciples plainly: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

Christmas is over, but don't pack away your faith!

Josh Williamson

After months of Christmas songs being played in shops and our homes being decorated, we no longer see the stockings hung by the chimney with care.

The decorations are down, nativity sets are packed away, and Christmas trees are no longer dropping debris in our living rooms. Christmas is over for another year; however, the message continues.

Justin Welby, Easter and forgiveness: A gospel moment on Radio 5 Live

Rebecca Chapman

Monday morning isn’t where I usually expect to hear the gospel explained with vigour and vim. If I’m honest, I’m often not anticipating much in the way of either first thing.

So tuning into Radio 5 Live last week for a catch up on the weekend’s news, I didn’t have much in the way of evangelistic expectations. But then presenter Nicky Campbell announced that the focus of the show was to be forgiveness, following the interview of the former Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday 30 March with Laura Kuenssberg.

the ENd word

How questions about the resurrection are changing in 2025

Jon Barrett

Alistair Begg recently said that preaching is often “less about telling them something new, but more about reminding ourselves what we mustn’t forget”.

He’s right. As a preacher I’m well aware that, to borrow a line from Oscar Wilde, “I have nothing original in me but original sin.” That’s not to say that I steal other preacher’s sermons (I don’t), but is an admission that I’m very unlikely to spot something brand new in a text that’s never been spotted before by anyone else. The truth has already been “once revealed to the saints” and my job is to bring out the meaning of what God has previously made known in the pages of Scripture.

Now This

Eternal hope: 'Nice' – or much more?

Bill James

As we look forward to celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, and indeed on every Lord’s Day, we are reminded that we are a people of hope.

The apostle Peter reminds the early churches that we have a “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1Peter 1:3).

Lending ourselves to Lent?

Emily Lucas

As with much of the change we face in life, the turning of seasons is a time that can either renew hope and expectation, or stir up a sense of loss of that which is passed.

While I often lament the end of autumn and entry into winter, I have nothing but joy as winter then turns to spring. Budding crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils that scatter fields, meadows and gardens draw my gaze. My sight turns towards beauty, and spring never fails to disappoint.

Easter film to be released in prisons

Milla Ling-Davies

After being successfully trialled in churches last year, a new evangelistic film telling the story of the thief on the cross is set to launch.

The one-hour film, Heaven, How I Got Here: The Story of the Thief on the Cross, is based on a book by Pastor Colin Smith and has been produced by charity Open the Bible in partnership with The Gospel Coalition. Having already been translated into 20 languages, there are now plans for it be shown in prisons across the UK, with the help of Daylight Christian Prison Trust.

The cross: suffering, substitution, satisfaction

Conrad Mbewe

This Easter, this short book extract helps us focus once again on the message at the heart of the Christian faith – the cross.

When we think of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ into this world to redeem us from death, we must see His work of redemption under three important categories.

Good Friday: 'Into your hands'

Sinclair Ferguson

Jesus’ third ‘word’ from the cross recorded by Luke is "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23: 46), following which He "breathed His last."

For Luke, this is not only Jesus’ final word from the cross; it is also the last clue he gives us to the inner significance of what is happening at The Skull.

Good Friday forgiveness

John Benton

Back in 2003, Detective Constable Stephen Oake was murdered in an incident at an asylum seeker’s house in Manchester. When his father Robin Oake, a senior police officer and a Christian, was asked at a press conference what he thought of the man who had killed his son, he said calmly: ‘I forgive him.’ His reply caused astonishment among the journalists.

Christianity promises forgiveness to people and forgiveness is a hallmark of true Christianity. So we read, ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ (Ephesians 4.32).

In Depth: Easter