J John
Waking up to wokeness
The concept of 'being woke' is an attempt to create moral boundaries but without God. It offers only a bleak and hopeless world in which a stern and constantly shifting morality subjects all to a judgement from which there can be no redemption or restoration.
Europe â a soil now ready for sowing?
In terms of hard soil for the gospel, Western Europe has long been seen as a region where sown seeds of faith fail to take root.
John Stott: an extraordinary hero of the Christian faith
April 27th sees the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the great Christian leader John Stott, a man who helped and encouraged so many people across the world, including me.
How a little woman from London was used by God in extraordinary ways in China
Gladys Aylward overcame huge obstacles to become one of the most fruitful and respected missionaries to China. There is much we can learn from her today.
Luis Palau: a life well-lived
With Luis Palau's 'promotion to glory' another of a generation of pioneering preachers has left us.
Lessons in faith from Michael Faraday, the brilliant Christian scientist who rose from poverty and obscurity
The odds were stacked against Faraday but he rose from lowly beginnings to become one of Britain's most brilliant and distinguished scientists. Despite this good fortune, he remained a committed Christian, regularly visiting the poor and sick.
Four lessons for Christians today from the life and ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Few of us have Spurgeon's voice, his memory or his energy. We can, though, all seek his love of Christ and the Bible, and his zeal to spread the gospel.
Rembrandt and the Bible
Rembrandt grew up immersed in the Bible, which was to shape the art he is famous for.
CS Lewis: A towering intellect who knew how to explain the Christian faith in simple terms
Lewis speaks powerfully to those on the edge of faith. Yet he also speaks to us Christian believers who are in need of encouragement and direction.
Three lessons we can learn from Mary in her extraordinary role as mother of the Messiah
In Mary's courageous and immediate response, we see an example to challenge us.
Joseph took second place and that's striking in a culture where men were normally in charge
Joseph was a man who, at least on the surface, finds himself in a supporting role and there is much we can learn from that.
Johann Sebastian Bach and music as worship
Bach wasn't only a remarkable composer; he was also a man who saw music as a gift of God.
One statue that shouldn't be torn down is that commemorating Lord Shaftesbury
During an age where we topple statues rather than erect them, one man who we can only respect is Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury.
The power of quiet, steady, unspectacular ministry for God
Many Christian heroes made a difference to the world by travelling it; Charles Simeon made a difference by staying in the same place ministering for fifty-four years.
The black minister behind a famous revival that transcended race and class
News of what was happening at Azusa Street spread both by word-of-mouth and through the press â who were not just critical of the 'one-eyed black minister' and the 'fanaticism' but also offended by what were soon remarkably interracial meetings.
Augustine of Hippo: a genius who was prepared to be a servant
St Augustine may be 'the most influential figure in Christianity after St Paul', and for good reason.