A lot of theological ink has been spilt on the following sentence from a book called “The Lost Message of Jesus” by Steve Chalke and Alan Mann: "The fact is that the cross isn’t a form of cosmic child abuse—a vengeful Father, punishing his Son for...
A few weeks ago a friend on Facebook sent out a plea for people to review her book before it’s published next Monday (16th October.) I’ve never met Tanya Marlow, but over the last year I’ve become electronically acquainted with her in her role as Christian...
A little more frivolous today. I’ve recently watched two improbable blockbuster films, of different type, standard and age. Each inspired me with various thoughts, but one thought was common to both. The films were “Valerian: City of a Thousand Planets”, recently released at the cinema; and “Kingsman:...
Apologies to those who've already read this - it's the Update (the first of its kind) I sent out to those on the mailing list yesterday. But I have added a note at the end. Thank you for tuning in! The news is that “The Tenth Province...
I thought it was time for another Resources book review. These reviews in theory are supposed to address the following aims that I have mentioned before: To help people, including myself, to stay Christians by honestly facing and exploring, from within the faith and before God, the...
I’m taking a risk today, commenting on a TV programme I didn’t actually watch, although my husband did. On Monday night BBC 2 broadcast “The Search for a New Earth” Part 1. I quote from the description in the Guardian Guide: “With humans knackering up the...
The woman lay on the straw, eyes wide, shoulders shivering. She revived a little to drink. Kneeling beside her, he noticed that her teeth were sound. What is such a woman doing, deep in the Haymonese countryside, without servants? “You’re safe here, madam. Please rest. I am...
None of us likes the fact that many of the world’s poor live without education, clean water, etc, while some of the rich have private jets. But what would a more equal world mean? Would it mean that everyone had what I (middle-class British) take for...
I thought I’d be a bit booksy today. I’ve recently been reading two novels, one 19th and one 21st century. The first was “The Eustace Diamonds” by Anthony Trollope, first published in monthly instalments in 1873. I had read it before in my teenage Trollope Period. The...
By the way, my helpful website manager and creator, Jono Renton, is getting married to Sophie tomorrow. All the best to you both, and your families, for the big day, and for the years to come! The first home I owned was a flat above a...