Recent Posts - page 2
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Even through the suffering of Christians in the Middle East, God is still at work
The news coming for Mosul in Iraq over the last few days is yet another tragic reminder (not that we needed one) that to be a Christian in many countries is to be treated as a second class citizen – or… Read More ›
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“I just knew that Jesus was there and I had met him” – interviewing Justin Welby
Frequent contributor to this site, Canon J John has been producing a regular series of interviews entitled ‘Facing the Canon’, speaking to well known and influential Christians about their lives and work. These have included Andrew White (the vicar of… Read More ›
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Latitude’s Festival Pastors – how one atheist’s experience of God at work created a ministry
The summer festival season is well and truly underway. This weekend sees the turn of Latitude Festival in Suffolk, one of the biggest of the year. It is also regarded as one of the safest with just 19 thefts reported… Read More ›
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The assisted dying debate has been dominated by Christian voices – sadly in disagreement
As I write this, the House of Lords is engaged in what will be a gruelling ten hour debate leading up to the second reading of Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill. 133 Lords are set to speak, which will be a record…. Read More ›
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The new Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan is a Christian – so what?
Working in an educational establishment and knowing a fair few teachers elsewhere, I saw some ecstatic people yesterday when the news of Michael Gove’s departure from the Department of Education was announced. It’s been incredible witnessing the levels of joy… Read More ›
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Good news at last, but the women bishops vote was ultimately never about women bishops
The history of the role and definition of bishops is a long and often turbulent one. From the beginning, Paul in his letters to the churches set high standards for his leaders: ‘Since an overseer [bishop] manages God’s household, he must… Read More ›
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Justin Welby and Pope Francis’ mission to transform the Church is just beginning
So here we go again. There is a very real possibility that this will be a momentous few days for the Church of England as the next attempt to make women bishops a reality comes to ahead on Monday at… Read More ›
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Vincent Van Gogh the theologian and missionary
Something a bit different for the weekend from the Revd. Canon J. John… J John is an internationally recognised Christian speaker and author. He has written over 50 books and spoken in 69 countries, teaching the Christian faith and addressing over 300,000 people… Read More ›
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How can anyone make sense of Christianity if Christians don’t know what they believe?
This Saturday sees the fourth annual Unbelievable? Conference hosted by Premier Radio host and Christianity Magazine editor, Justin Brierley. For those who fancy a day at Methodist Central Hall in London considering issues around Christian apologetics and effective evangelism, this will… Read More ›
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It’s time for Labour to wake up and take freedom of religion and belief seriously
Are those on the left really afraid or unwilling to talk in public about the persecution of religious believers around the globe and in particular, that of Christians? Owen Jones, the political commentator who was ranked the seventh most influential… Read More ›
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Worship of a Christian character in schools is neither ‘meaningless’ nor ‘nonsense’
“The concept of compulsory worship has always been a nonsense. Schools have long wanted the government to take on the bishops in the House of Lords and change the law. School assemblies are a valuable way to reinforce the ethos… Read More ›
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The Unbelievers – Richard Dawkins’ new film makes me want to believe in God
I have a guilty secret – I actually quite like Richard Dawkins. It’s always good entertainment watching someone who is so eminent in his scientific field, continually putting his credibility on the line by taking on religion despite his limited… Read More ›
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Assisted suicide and right-to-die cases have nothing to do with our ‘rights’
This week’s decision by the Supreme Court to reject the right-to-die case brought by Paul Lamb, Jane Nicklinson and a third man known only as Martin, was a welcome relief to those of us who believe that legalising assisted suicide is anything but… Read More ›
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Without a moral compass British values lose their way and now we’re seeing the consequences
A little late to the party on this… Over the last few weeks a battle for the heart and soul of our schools has intensified as we’ve witnessed the repercussions of the Trojan Horse episode that has engulfed a handful of Birmingham… Read More ›
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#mynextbuy: A Simple Idea for a Complex Issue
On Saturday Tearfund hosted the Mosaic Conference, bringing together those with a passion for creating new ways of tackling some of the justice issues facing us today. It was more than an opportunity to listen and learn, but to look to turn ideas… Read More ›
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Poverty Sunday and why foodbanks are not the answer
This Sunday (June 22) has been designated by the Church of England as Poverty Sunday; a day to pray and reflect on issues of poverty in this country and how churches and individual Christians respond. This year, churches are being urged to… Read More ›
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A good week for Christianity within the walls of Parliament
“The church is not an NGO with lots of old buildings. It is the Church of God, rejoicing in the realities of cultural diversity in a way never known before: global, cross-bearing, confident and welcoming. The Church holds for the… Read More ›
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A sad goodbye – another influential Christian blogger calls it a day, but do we care?
It was with great sadness that I read yesterday’s post by the Rev. Peter Ould on his Exercise in the Fundamentals of Orthodoxy blog. Peter has announced that after eight years he will be shutting down the website. This is a… Read More ›
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Guest post: Christian Aid give their take on the fallout over Oxfam’s ‘perfect storm’ poster
Yesterday I blogged about Oxfam’s ‘Perfect Storm’ poster on poverty in the UK that has led to them being accused of party political bias. In response Laura Taylor, Head of Advocacy at Christian Aid has written this guest post giving her take… Read More ›
God and Politics in the UK 