As the year draws to a close and people make all sorts of Top 5 for 2014 lists, we thought we'd do our own. And add a little competition.
Over the next few days, we'll be telling you our Top 5 selling books for 2014. The competition is to guess the top selling book. We'll send a free copy to the first 5 people who guess the correct answer. Comment on the Blog, reply via Twitter, comment on Facebook. We could let you know all sorts of terms and conditions, but we're all friends here!
Today, coming in at Number 4 is: Questions Christians Ask: Can I really trust the Bible? Barry Cooper's short, readable book that explains clearly and simply what Christians believe about the Bible
We're used to images of the Jolly fat guy who is kind to everyone. And even though he supposedly makes a list of "who's naughty and nice" - he never really leaves the naughty kids off the list - it's just a feeble attempt by parents to introduce justification by works into the Christmas story.
But the real St Nic was quite different, although stories about his life are more in the realm of folklore and legend than accredited
"It's the most wonderful time of the year". Or so the 1960's crooner, Andy Williams would have us believe. And his tune - along with many others sharing the same sentiment - are being piped at us endlessly as we shop, commute and potter round the house. Wherever we turn, we are confronted with cheery melodies, tinsel and trimmings, party invitations and the expectation of some presents to remember.
Of course, there's some truth in the sentiment that it's a wonderful time of year. Remembering the moment when God took on human flesh to save us from our sins is undoubtedly awesome, profoundly life-changing. But that doesn't necessarily make Christmas fun. And, personally, I don't find it hard to think of people who are, quite frankly, dreading it:... continue reading
As the year draws to a close and people make all sorts of Top 5 for 2014 lists, we thought we'd do our own. And add a little competition.
Over the next 5 days, we'll be telling you our Top 5 selling books for 2014. The competition is to guess the top selling book. We'll send a free copy to the first 5 people who guess the correct answer. Comment on the Blog, reply via Twitter, comment on Facebook. We could let you know all sorts of terms and conditions, but we're all friends here!
Today, coming in at Number 5 is: Galatians for You. Timothy Keller's expository guide to Galatians will excite ordinary Christians in their faith and equip teachers and preachers in their work.... continue reading
I recently caught the tail end of Radio 4’s Today programme. A presenter was apologising for a remark made earlier in the programme. In a discussion about inventions she’d commented that children would probably vote Father Christmas as one of the best ever inventions. A flood of tweets and texts followed. People were concerned that children able to hear the radio as they journeyed to school by car would discover that Father Christmas is only an invention!
The mock-horror tone of the complaints and the light-hearted “grovelling” apology do not altogether disguise the fact that many people today hold very dear a child’s “right” to believe in the existence of Father Christmas. Undermining that belief in any way before the “appropriate” age is viewed as tantamount to child abuse.
How should Christians respond to these expectations? In our over-commercialised, secular culture, where the true Christmas story is largely buried or avoided, it’s not surprising that non-Christians cling to the modern “myth” of Father Christmas with a religious-like fervency. But what about Christians? Don’t we have compelling reasons to be different?... continue reading
It’s only 21 days until Christmas. Are you excited yet? This year, I’ve been excited for Christmas since July. Let me explain why.
I had the interesting experience of being in a Muslim-majority country over the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Fitr this summer. Now, there are certainly significant differences between the months of Ramadan (no eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset) and Advent (“Woohoo! Chocolate every morning!”). But the whole run-up to Eid certainly felt very festive—a sort of bizarre, very sweaty, Christmas.... continue reading
Background: Inspired by David Robertson’s “The Dawkins Letters”, I’m writing a series of short letters to Brian Cox in light of his new series, The Human Universe.
Dear Brian Cox,
I do hope you’re still with me. I’m writing several letters to try and keep things brief – addressing just a couple of points at a time. Seeking to persuade people is a funny old thing. I read with interest your recent admission that, when you went on Newsnight, you used a special underhand trick your friend had told you about – that whenever you wanted to make a point, you waved and thrashed your arms around exasperatedly so that the camera would find you again. I’ll bear that in mind if I’m every on the telly. I can’t do it in a letter. But I hope you’re still with me. So, on we go…... continue reading
Background: Inspired by David Robertson’s “The Dawkins Letters”, I’m writing a series of short letters to Brian Cox in light of his new series, The Human Universe.
Dear Brian Cox,
You’ve certainly seen the world, during your series. It’s hard not to be envious of the stamps on your passport. You’re in the Rift Valley, then you’re watching that Soyz capsule land safely in Kazakhstan, then you’re at a shrine in Kyoto, then visiting Hindu boys at training school in Pushkar. I find myself imagining conversations between you and the finance manager … “No, I’m sorry but there’s really no way I can illustrate this point without going to Easter Island.” Whoever was in charge of the budget must have been mightily relieved when you planned episode 4 and let it slip that you grew up in Chadderton, and not Sydney or somewhere like that!
Brian, though there was lots that I liked about your documentary, my second letter is going to be quite negative I’m afraid. It’s because of what you went on to say about the biblical God – or, more generally in your words, “some kind of deity”, in your episode, “Why are we here?”... continue reading
Background: Inspired by David Robertson’s “The Dawkins Letters”, I’m writing a series of short letters to Brian Cox in light of his new series, The Human Universe.
Dear Brian Cox,
Congratulations on your TV series, “The Human Universe”. It has been extremely well thought out, and marvellously well produced. For years I’ve enjoyed BBC documentaries that make science accessible, and in many respects your programme has achieved that aim. You’ve come a long way since you were playing the keyboard for D:REAM. Then again, as you sang yourselves, things could only get better.
But Brian, before you simply add this to your pile of fanmail, I’m actually writing because – as a Christian – I have some deep concerns about The Human Universe. I can’t possibly raise all of them, as there were lots of little asides throughout the series that I felt unfairly dismissed belief in the God of the Bible, or inaccurately presented your own beliefs and contentions as though they are facts rather than theories. But I think instead that it’s both necessary and helpful just to take up a few issues that you raised and discussed, in the hope that they cause you – and others who I hope will read these letters – to think again. To be honest, I am very concerned about all of this. I’m concerned that you yourself seem to have picked up false ideas about the Christian faith, and dismissed it for wrong reasons. But I’m also concerned about the influence that you yourself – and your documentaries – have upon your viewers. So, without further ado, let me dive in.... continue reading
Today we take a look at the climax of Paul’s speech in Antioch from Acts 13, to meditate on two amazing blessings we can have through Christ:
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
Acts 13:38-39
So what are the two things that Paul says we can now have through Jesus?
These wonderful blessings are both ‘through Jesus’ and they are given to whoever believes.
Based on an extract taken from Explore Daily Bible Reading Notes.
