Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:20)
March 25th, 2019
It is no news that people seem to becoming more polarised politically these days. But it is sad, unhelpful and unnecessary. It is particularly sad when christians fall into this. And it seems to be particularly common when discussing issues relating to terrorism and Islam. Like this last week …..
Evangelism – learning from unbelievers
March 13th, 2019
There’s a saying in chess that, if you are in doubt about your next move, choose the move your opponent would like least. I reckon a similar, but opposite, saying might apply to christian evangelism: if you are wanting to evangelise, try to choose the behaviour your friend would most appreciate. A recent study by […]
Apologetics is "dangerous" stuff!
February 27th, 2019
Are you the sort of christian whose faith is built more on reason and evidence than an experience of God? Do you enjoy answering sceptics’ questions about Jesus and the Bible? Perhaps even enjoy arguing with atheists online? Have you considered that apologetics might be dangerous for your faith? (Well, sort of! But read on!) […]
Church for the 21st century?
February 17th, 2019
This is possibly the most revolutionary, revelatory and important book about the church and mission I have ever read. If you are interested in how the 21st century church can become a missionary community in first world countries, this book can teach us new ways, and inspire us to new efforts. If you are tired […]
When thoughtful christians begin to doubt
January 30th, 2019
In my previous post (When sensitive and thoughtful people begin to doubt) I looked at 4 different sets of musicians who were christians earlier in their lives, but had struggled with faith since then. Now I want to share a few thoughts on how churches and parents might help their youth to be able to […]
When sensitive and thoughtful people begin to doubt
January 15th, 2019
Do you know someone who appeared to be a strong christian, and then began to doubt the truth of the whole thing? I’m guessing they were likely someone in their twenties, brought up as believers but suddenly facing questions they didn’t have answers for and issues they couldn’t easily resolve. And I’m guessing many of […]
Jesus: wise teacher, apocalyptic prophet, son of God?
January 1st, 2019
How much do you and I know about Jesus? How much of it is really the truth about him? The obvious answer is that we know more about him than most ancient figures, because we have quite a few accounts of his life and teachings. But everyone seems to read them differently. In my previous […]
Which Jesus did you worship this Christmas?
December 24th, 2018
Jesus is such an important and admired character in world history and western culture that everyone seems to want to claim him for their tribe. So there are many different versions of Jesus for us to believe in. Shopping mall Jesus This is the most obvious Jesus, and the easiest to see through. Two months […]
Is this the most important thing you could do as a christian?
December 13th, 2018
Thirty five years ago my life was changed after listening to a talk on prayer and spiritual warfare. I had been converted as a teen in a Presbyterian church where doctrine was regarded as the most important thing and God was known to be sovereign, ordaining everything according to his good purposes. But this doctrine […]
Letting go and hanging on ….. and flying!
November 28th, 2018
Who doesn’t enjoy flying a kite? There’s something special about seeing a colourful kite soaring higher and higher while we hold onto the string, feeling somehow in command (even if we’re not). We need at least three things for a kite to fly: We need to let go and allow it to fly. It can’t […]
A list of all blog posts, in reverse chronological order, is on the Blog archive page.