Review of Inspired Imperfection: how the Bible’s problems enhance its divine authority by Gregory A Boyd I love reading the Bible. No other book comes close to consistently inspiring and challenging me. I read it every morning and, especially when reading the gospels, I often feel a tingle of excited joy about the depth and… Continue reading Contradictions, errors & moral offence: how the Bible’s problems enhance its authority
The grace and truth of Desmond Tutu
This week the world said goodbye to one of its most attractive personalities. Archbishop Desmond Tutu became a globally-recognised figure in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. His faith, passion, bravery and humour inspired the world. I remember reading Tutu’s 1999 book No Future Without Forgiveness on… Continue reading The grace and truth of Desmond Tutu
‘Christmas Eve Life Evaluation films’ and what they tell us
Story #1: The Last Train to Christmas The film The Last Train to Christmas focuses on a troubled nightclub owner, Tony Towers (Michael Sheen), who takes a train from London to Nottingham on Christmas Eve with his fiancé. On route, they are joined by his brother and his wife. But this is no ordinary train… Continue reading ‘Christmas Eve Life Evaluation films’ and what they tell us
Beyond the echo chamber – by Andrew Drury
Even for the most broad-minded, it is easy to remain reading or listening to people who share similar views to ourselves. We can fall into the rut of following only those people who conform to our own perspective. We need to get beyond the simple critiques that can be found in the 280 characters of… Continue reading Beyond the echo chamber – by Andrew Drury
The terrible and wonderful reasons I lead – by Kevin Lewis
A few years ago I was given a brilliant book about running, except it wasn’t really about running, it was about cupcakes and suffering. It’s comic, very funny and surprisingly deep, and its called The terrible and wonderful reasons why I run long distances. If you hate running stick with me. The basic premise is… Continue reading The terrible and wonderful reasons I lead – by Kevin Lewis
‘Looking in the rubble for the finger-prints of God’
In the final scene of The Crucible, the flawed hero, John Procter, is hanged along with two innocent women. They are executed at the order of the Church authorities because they refuse to admit guilt in the witch trials in their town of Salem, Massachusetts. As the nooses are put around their necks, the three… Continue reading ‘Looking in the rubble for the finger-prints of God’
God’s Unlikely Revolutionary
Is there any story in history as sentimentalised as the birth of Jesus? Nativity plays are fun and cute, but the biblical accounts of Jesus' birth are very different. Jesus was born into a situation of fear, hardship, shame, rumours of illegitimacy and all within a context of imperial oppression. God's revolution The word ‘revolution’… Continue reading God’s Unlikely Revolutionary
‘Sing It Out’: how choirs help address homelessness – by Sam Chaplin
The Choir With No Name is a charity that runs choirs with people affected by homelessness. I have been the musical director of for its London choir for 9 years and we also have choirs in Brighton, Birmingham, Liverpool and one just started in Cardiff. Community choir singing is a movement that has spread across… Continue reading ‘Sing It Out’: how choirs help address homelessness – by Sam Chaplin
The line separating good and evil
Trevor Huddleston was an English monk and priest who lived in South Africa during the 1940s and 50s. He became famous for his opposition to apartheid and his outspoken criticism of the South African government. He would later become a Bishop and Archbishop. As a white, Oxford-educated priest, his presence and commitment to racial justice… Continue reading The line separating good and evil
Men, grief and talking the talk
On International Men’s Day last year I wrote about how the Beer Club I am in with old school mates had gone online during Covid. The main point of the article was about the need for men to talk openly about how they are. A poll on the article showed that almost a quarter of… Continue reading Men, grief and talking the talk
Grace + Truth 