In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul says that in the eyes of ‘those who are perishing’ the ‘word of the cross’ is ‘folly’. This denotes, not merely a lack of wisdom. The early Christian writer, Justin, explains that the upset, caused by the Christian message in the ancient world, is really madness. “They say that...
Jürgen Prochnow – U-boat commander in the classic film Das Boot – facing mortal peril in the Atlantic during WW II, looked forward with longing to Christmas back home in Germany and hearing again the account of Jesus’ nativity in Das Lukas Evangelium – Luke’s gospel. The incarnation of God’s Son is indeed the most...
‘A Christmas Carol’ is perhaps the most well-known of Charles Dickens’ novels (the Muppets’ version is my personal favourite). Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean businessman who despises anything joyful. The story isn’t primarily about work, but it does help us think about good and bad views of work (and rest and play). We instantly feel...
When did you last walk along Oxford Road, Manchester? Did you lift your eyes above street level? High up on the front of a building is a remarkable mural. Look closely and you realise it’s Jesus healing a man born blind, as told in chapter 9 of John’s Gospel. Why should such a mural be...
There are those today who consider Christianity not just wrong but evil! They believe that the Christian message robs people of joy and freedom, oppresses women and LGBT+ minorities, and that we must be liberated from its repressive and toxic influence! In this magazine we look at some evidence that demonstrates otherwise. Certainly (whilst distinguishing...
What impact has the spread of Christianity had on the position of women in society over the last two thousand years? A big question to ponder, and of course any answer (or answers) we might arrive at will be multi-faceted. In general terms, much will depend upon the particular era and the particular society we...
There are many inspiring records of Christian women from the Reformation era onwards. But that period is only one quarter of Church history so far. Prior to the 16th Century reformation, Christian believers were members of the Early – and later – the Mediaeval (Western) and Eastern-Orthodox Churches. We should not allow our Protestant sensibilities...
The ancient Book of Psalms affirms God’s self- disclosure to the entire human race (Psalm 19:1-4a). The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is...
From a Christian perspective, the domain of science is the exploration of the secondary causes established by God in creation. Science, as such, can neither prove nor deny the existence of God, the eternal Prime cause. Scientists as normal human beings, however, usually do either affirm or – simply by default – deny God’s existence....
Take a risk and you can lose money, lose face, lose your health or even your life. You may endanger others too. Will a wise and loving person, then, ever take a risk? It depends. Of course you can throw your life away in a hundred sinful, wasteful ways. But losing your life is not...
