It’s 150 years since Darwin published “On the Origin of Species” – a book that changed the way countless people view the world. What’s left of Christianity when you adopt Darwin’s scheme?
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We’ve just reached the end of a long series of sermons on Christian doctrine.
It was in January 2006 that we began the ‘Truths for Today’ series. For more than three years we’ve been working systematically through the great truths of the Christian faith. It’s done me good. I’ve had to grapple with issues I wouldn’t have chosen to tackle. I’ve had to go back to the Bible and ask myself exactly what I believe and why. I hope it’s …
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I’ve been asked that question a number of times recently. Of course, the answer I’ve given has varied according to who I’m speaking to, and why they’re asking. But if I were talking to somebody who really wanted to know, and who had the time and inclination to listen, I’d want to say five things.
Firstly, we are a Christian church. And I mean that in its fullest sense. We’re a church that is built on Christ himself. In 1 Corinthians ch 3, Paul describes Christian …
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As I sit at my desk typing this letter, I have in front of me an austere looking volume bound in grey cloth with a black label on the spine. The gold lettering on the label proclaims the title: Banner of Truth, Vol 1, Issues 1-16. I bought the book a few weeks ago. I was browsing along a church bookstall before a meeting. The books on sale were mostly new but at one end I saw a small pile of second-hand volumes. …
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A few days ago we had some new carpet laid in our hallway. The two carpet-fitters had been told that I’m a “vicar” and it wasn’t long before the subject came up. One of them – we’ll call him Tom – was eager to let me know that he’s a Christian too. He comes from a “very religious family”. His language was colourful; his ignorance of the Bible profound. But he assured me that he was on my side, all the way (though I think he …
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