Advent Sunday: people don’t know Jesus, and that’s our fault
There's a lot of confusion about Jesus: there are so many ideas about who he was or is that it almost seems as though there are lots of Jesuses. He…
Christians
Charles, Defender of the Faithful persecuted for Jesus’ sake
Yesterday, from the pulpit of Westminster Abbey, the Prince of Wales made a plea for peace; and not only peace, but for reconciliation. And not only did he make a plea for peace and reconciliation, but a proclamation of the…
Four-day week: mandatory indolence or an interfaith ‘sacred weekend’?
When Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell mooted imposing a four-day week on the British economy (that is, a four-day working week; Labour has no plans to re-calibrate or 'modernise' the solar…
Church of England Evangelical Council warns against redefining marriage
The Church of England Evangelical Council describes itself as "a network of networks, bringing evangelicals in the Church of England together for the sake of the gospel". It was created…
BBC comedian smears right-wing Christians in Royal Wedding coverage
Right-wing Christians are all racist. That's what the BBC's 'Good Morning Ulster' programme proclaimed last week on the run-up to the Royal Wedding as they discussed the impending union of…
Theological illiteracy: 46% of Protestants think it’s okay to worship idols
Talk about theological illiteracy: the recent YouGov poll asking whether the 10 Commandments are still widely considered important principles to live by yielded some data of jaw-dropping incredulity. There's no…
One in Christ? Why do liberal Christians abuse conservative Christians?
The Most Rev'd Nicholas Okoh is the Archbishop of Abuja Province and Primate of the Church of Nigeria in the Anglican Communion. A glance at his biography establishes his fraught…
Corbyn Monoxide: why does the Left get away with anti-Tory hate?
It's supposed to be a joke, of course, and we're all supposed to laugh. But imagine – just try to imagine – if these students had written such vile comments…
Government to establish ‘Commission for Countering Extremism’ – Be afraid. Be very afraid
"A commission for countering extremism will be established to support the government in stamping out extremist ideology in all its forms, both across society and on the internet, so it…
Diocese of Truro advertises for Mission leader, but “You do not need to be a practising Christian”
"Mission goes out from God. Mission is God's way of loving and saving the world." So declared the Church of England at the 1998 Lambeth Conference. This quotation leads the…
The plot to terrorise the mushrikin of Manchester – where’s the analysis of this prophetology?
"'Mecca is BELIEVED TO BE the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.' Good to see the doubts over that breaking through!" tweeted historian Tom Holland, who knows a thing or two…
‘Dear Patrick…’ Words of comfort for clergy who feel forsaken by mutual flourishing
Returning to the Church of England's gender wars and sexuality skirmishes (which never really went away), the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, who advocates righteous discrimination against traditionalists who discriminate…
Archbishops call on Queen to repent of being Supreme Governor of the Church of England
In this 500th anniversary year of an obscure monk called Martin Luther banging his 95 Theses onto the door of Castle Church in Wittenburg, the event which history marks as…
Lord Carey removed from King’s College London wall of distinguished alumni
The motto of King's College London is Sancte et sapienter ('With holiness and wisdom'). Sadly, it appears to have abandoned both. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey of Clifton has…
Do we really need a faith minister for “fairies, goblins and imaginary friends”?
We live in an age of ever-increasing secularity, in which religious practice must be half-hidden and religious conviction often-denied. You have to excavate quite deep to discover the moral sources…
Brexit may have spurred a few racists, but the heartbeat of the nation is unity and tolerance
"How can you side with bigots and racists?" "How can you support the vile BNP agenda?" "You're a Christian, for God's sake, and here you are sowing division and…
TGI Monday: How do you deal with negativity and criticism?
Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer (1Jn 3:15). Negativity and criticism are unpleasant to receive, and undoubtedly corrosive of the soul which dispenses them vindictively.…
On the Feast of Stephen
The funeral of St Stephen, by Filippo Lippi (1460). St Stephen – 'a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost' (Acts 6:5) – was chosen to be a…
Donald Trump is an ignorant chump, but banning him from Britain would be an offence against freedom
Say what you will, write as you want, think what you like, but Donald Trump is on the demotic ascendant and is currently in pole position to win the…
Peacemaking needs peacemakers
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." And that includes Muslim peacemakers, because Jesus didn't say 'Blessed only are the Christian…