Freedom Fighter

When we think of the Romans, we usually think of sandals and togas, straight roads, and Russell Crowe in Gladiator.

But when Jesus’ countrymen, the Jews, thought of Romans, they thought of oppression, unfair taxes, and random killing. That’s because, throughout Jesus’ life, their land was occupied by a brutal Roman army.

So for the Jews, freedom meant being free of Rome. They dreamed of a freedom fighter who would do the apparently impossible, and release them from the Romans, so that they could live in their land, ruling themselves, in peace.

In our day, many dream of that kind of freedom, too. Millions are being abused by someone else’s government, or their own government.... continue reading

I have a friend who … drinks too much

Maybe they ask for a quiet word after the service and tell you about their struggles. Maybe you spot them staggering home from the pub one evening and looking embarrassed as they catch your eye. Maybe you gradually begin to notice, whenever you pop round, they have a drink in their hand – no matter what the time of day - and you know you can’t say nothing. Sound familiar? Then you may well have a friend who drinks too much. But how can we – as fallible brothers and sisters in Christ - help them? Here, continuing our Wednesday afternoon pastoral series, are our top tips of ways to begin:... continue reading

Women Bishops and an Empty Jesus

If yesterday’s Church of England debate about women bishops told us very much at all, it was to do with what happens when pragmatism and popularity becomes confused with principle.

This post isn’t a comment on the rights and wrongs of women bishops—it’s about how you arrive at the positions you hold, and how you argue for those positions.

I’m not an expert on the ins and outs of how the Church of England’s General Synod works, but here are, as reported in the media — eg: here and here — the three main reasons why the church needs female bishops, and needs them now (or at least within the next year).

1. Outsiders think the church is out-of-date, old-fashioned and bigoted
2. There may well not be enough men who would make good bishops.
3. The church has already made up its mind.

These all sound great. But none of them are good.... continue reading

Who are we talking about when we talk about Jesus?

We have a problem with Jesus. Particularly when it comes to evangelism.

The problem isn't with who Jesus is. Though it's a cliche, Jesus is the answer to all our questions and longings. He is the compassionate one the broken want; the forgiving one the flawed need; the strong one the weak can cling to; the challenging one the complacent require. In evangelism, as in all ministry, if we're not talking about Jesus, we're missing the point and we're missing the power.

So what's the problem? It's with the simple word "Jesus". As soon as you read that word in the first sentence of this post, you had a mental sketch of this man in your head. It may have been a picture; may have been some words; may have been a vague idea. It's the same for everyone. Even in our post-Christian culture, Jesus is still so famous that everyone has an idea about him. He may be lots of things, but he’s not a nobody.... continue reading

On to a Good Thing

1. ‘But I Say to You…’ ebook just £4.50 until midday Thursday

Get your e-book copy of ’But I Say to You…’ by John Stott for just £4.50.

2. Life to the Full

A new website and video from Christians in Sport.

3. John Piper: The Infographic

An infographic from Tim Challies about John Piper.

4. 5 Things to Look for in a Good Bible Teacher

Mark Driscoll looks at 5 traits of a good Bible teacher.

5. Do You Feel Tension in the Christian Life?

A great article on the tensions in the Christian life.

6. And finally...

This week's video of the week, in case you missed it before, '’Original Jesus: Trailer’:

Found something that you think should make it on to the On to a Good Thing round-up? Send it to: ontoagoodthing@thegoodbook.co.uk

When your child grows up...

I don't read The Telegraph often but one of the lead stories today caught my eye: Your child is not a genius. Get over it.

Its basic thesis is this: Being ahead or behind in reading or maths as a child has little bearing on achievement as an adult. So take off the pressure, enjoy your kids and let them grow at their own unique pace. Really, it's not a competition. And, quite frankly, who wants to be a genius anyway?

Intriguing words... You see, I've noticed a trend among many of my friends: Extra tuition, practice papers every week, an abundance of extra curricula activities that will boost their child's chances of getting into a better school or more prestigious university. The diaries of children are a hive of activity and, at times, a melting pot of pressure.... continue reading

Fighting the Monday feeling

Though the fig-tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the sheepfold
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Today's children don't know the Bible: three ways to respond

A survey for the Bible Society, released today, shows that almost three in ten children don't know key Bible stories, or if they do, they don't realise those stories come from the Bible. And it's not just the children and young people (those surveyed were 8 to 15-year-olds) - their parents didn't recognise many of these stories either.

So how do we respond to this kind of news? It's easy to tut about modern standards, shake our heads at the state of religious education in schools, and hark back to "the good old days". But here are three more positive suggestions instead:... continue reading