history
Standing on giants’ shoulders
Michael Haykin
Date posted: 14 Nov 2026
Human beings are historical beings. Our lives are inextricably tied to the past, our own immediate past obviously, but also that of other humans. As Gilbert Beers, a past editor of Christianity Today, has noted: “We owe much to many whom we have never met.”[1]
Beers goes on: “We live in a throwaway society; we dispose of things we consider a burden. My concern is that we do not add our predecessors to the collection of throwaways, carelessly discarding those who have made us what we are.” And as the 17th-century polymath Isaac Newton (1642/3‒1726/7) said in a letter to his scientific rival Robert Hooke (1635‒1703): “If I have seen further it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”[2] The study of church history informs us about our predecessors in the faith, those who have helped shape our Christian communities and thus make us what we are. Such study builds humility and modesty into our lives, and so can exercise a sanctifying influence upon us.
Start building your child’s theological library
Catherine MacKenzie
Date posted: 14 Nov 2026
While modern children’s publishing is frequently driven by fleeting trends, Christian publishers continue to maintain rich backlist titles that offer proven, enduring value for families.
Parents who are looking to build a robust theological foundation for young readers should look to the archives of publishers such as Crossway, New Growth Press, and Christian Focus Publications. These extensive publisher collections remain true goldmines of deep Biblical truth and engaging storytelling.
'Healthmaxxing': Can looking after our bodies go too far?
Ben Chang
Date posted: 13 Nov 2026
In the last couple of years, social media has been deluged by an array of viral health trends and wellness hacks, sometimes grouped under the umbrella of “healthmaxxing”.
The aim of these trends is to maximise our health and wellbeing by engaging in lifestyle, dietary, medicinal or other interventions often portrayed as being overlooked by the medical establishment.
helping children find faith
Are your children asking you spiritual questions?
Ed Drew
Date posted: 12 Nov 2026
“Where did the calves come from?” was the question my child asked that led to one of the most awkward conversations I have ever had.
It was my first effort at discussing sex and marriage (through the medium of cows). Conversations with children are often surprising and quite frightening because they do not tend to go along the neat routes adults follow.
It's time we started living in a way that works for the earth
Paul Kunert
Date posted: 12 Nov 2026
We pause for breath. We’ve been grinding steadily upwards now for maybe an hour. Even at our “early morning pace” – slow, short steps – this is pretty hard going on loose grit and stones. The mountain refuge hut lies far below us. The sun, not yet above the wall of rock looming over us, just catches the peaks behind us.
We’re here in the Italian Dolomites for a hiking and “via ferrata” – wires and ladders bolted into high, exposed rocky ledges – adventure. We’re at something like 2,700 metres above sea level (I can’t be sure exactly, but we started from the “Rifugio Silvio Agostini” hut at 2,400 metres, and it feels like we’ve probably done a few hundred metres of ascent by now). We’re about ready to start the via ferrata for the day.
Wielding the power of music for good or ill
Matt MacGregor
Date posted: 12 Nov 2026
What does a wise musician look like? Maybe you long to be a wise musician. Perhaps you wish that your church had more wise musicians. But what does that look like?
You might think, at this point, to look to Proverbs, God’s great one-stop warehouse of wisdom. But in its 31 chapters, spanning the full breadth of human experience, you will find very little. Just one verse: “Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart” (Proverbs 25v20 NIV).
What one song taught me about mission, gifts and the worldwide church
Matthew Howes
Date posted: 11 Nov 2026
Have you ever seen someone’s jaw drop? There are only a few occasions when I’ve seen that literally happen. Once was on a walk with friends, when a beautiful view suddenly opened up before us. The second time was during a church service.
We had invited a friend of ours who was struggling with housing issues. In the past, we had invited her and her family many times to come to church, and they had always politely said no. Then, finally, they agreed to come.
Football's revolving door: What are the lessons for churches?
Graham Daniels
Date posted: 10 Nov 2026
Head Coach Michael Carrick says he won't walk away from Manchester United – but as professional football enters another international break, the question is whether United's owners will give him the choice.
Sunday's extraordinary 4-4 draw with Aston Villa leaves United in the relegation zone, with just one league victory all season. Commentator Roy Keane compared Carrick's explanations to those of a politician, while supporters directed their anger towards the club's owners.
pastoral care
Is your church realising its potential?
Steve Midgley
Date posted: 10 Nov 2026
It’s frustrating when something isn’t fulfilling its potential.
A football team full of expensive new signings which fails to deliver results. A kitchen stocked with exotic ingredients that only gets used for the blandest of meals. A state-of-the-art computer whose owner isn’t even close to utilising all its many functions. Great cost has been incurred, great possibilities exist, but the potential simply isn’t being realised.
What is ‘knowledge’?
Jen Charteris
Date posted: 10 Nov 2026
“It’s epistemology, Jim, but not as we know it.”
Perhaps you’re thinking “I recognise that cultural reference: ‘It’s life, Jim…’"? Star Trek, wasn’t it? Or you may be thinking “Remind me, what even is epistemology?”
everyday evangelism
Five principles for sharing the gospel with Muslim friends
Andy Bannister
Date posted: 9 Nov 2026
The number of Muslims is growing rapidly in the UK. This raises all kinds of political issues; but no matter what position we hold on those issues, we still need to share the good news of Jesus with Muslims we meet at work, at university, in our neighbourhoods.
So, based on almost 30 years of engaging with Muslims, let me share some principles to help you.
Remembering their sacrifice: Stories of war and the love of Christ
Aneal Appadoo
Date posted: 8 Nov 2026
As an Anglican minister, on Remembrance Sunday I welcome just under 100 people from our community through our church doors for a short service, including members of the local cubs and scout troops.
After the service, around 200 gather for a simple act of remembrance around our local war memorial, where head teachers, local business owners, and community members stand shoulder to shoulder to keep two minutes of silence, to honour those who gave their lives that we might live.
How a dying soldier led a Jewish doctor to Jesus
Charles Gardner
Date posted: 8 Nov 2026
A Jewish army surgeon was amazed by the courage of a young soldier badly wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War (1861-65).
Dr Max Rossvally was forced to amputate both a leg and arm in a bid to save 17-year-old Charlie Coulson's life. But the Drummer Boy – too young for frontline duty – refused chloroform or brandy to dull the pain. He chose instead to trust in Jesus, his Lord and Saviour.
What does the Budget mean for your stewardship?
Pod Bhogal
Date posted: 7 Nov 2026
The Chancellor's latest Budget included important changes for those who wish to steward their savings.
There was a U-turn on plans to reduce the cash ISA allowance, while tax on savings interest is set to increase from April 2027.
Eastern Orthodoxy & evangelicals
Evangelicals, Eastern Orthodoxy and the Bible
Ken Brownell
Date posted: 6 Nov 2026
One of the key areas of disagreement and misunderstanding between evangelicals and the Eastern Orthodox is in relation to the Bible.
For evangelicals, the Bible is at the heart of their understanding of the church and what it means to be a Christian. The Bible was of central importance to the Reformation, with “sola Scriptura” – Scripture alone – as one of the famous solas that have come to define classic Protestantism. Not surprisingly, the Bible is at the heart of Protestant worship, with the central place given to the sermon, as well as in spiritual formation, pastoral care and evangelism. Particularly in Reformed or Calvinistic Protestantism, there is an emphasis on always reforming the church according to the Word of God.
When shepherds fail: Can we trust church leaders again?
Alistair Chalmers
Date posted: 5 Nov 2026
Another scandal. Another Christian leader exposed. Another congregation left devastated.
Sadly, these headlines have become all too familiar. Whether it's financial misconduct, sexual immorality, spiritual abuse or the misuse of authority, the damage caused by failures in Christian leadership extends far beyond the individuals involved.
Should AI be used in sermons? Bible college leaders weigh in
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 5 Nov 2026
How do we define a sermon?
“Calvin says a sermon only becomes the Word of God if the Holy Spirit is added to what is spoken,” James Burnett, Principal of Belfast School of Theology, points out. With that in mind, are AI-generated sermons ever acceptable?
What is your phone doing to your soul?
Glynn Harrison
Date posted: 4 Nov 2026
You reach for your phone without deciding to. You open it to follow the Bible reading in church and find yourself checking your WhatsApp instead. You open a new message and surface 20 minutes later from a blur of “breaking news”, videos of performing sheep, and a fog of inconsequential information about other people’s lives.
And yes, you find it hard to visit the loo without checking your phone at the same time…
