Joseph Hartropp
'Terrible revolution': Police remove protesting Catholics from Brussels Reformation service
A group of dissenting Catholics were removed by police from Brussels cathedral on Saturday after invading an ecumenical Protestant-Catholic commemoration of the Reformation. The group condemned the Reformation as heretical, a 'terrible revolution' and a 'tragedy for Christian society'.
Evangelical Steve Chalke calls for 'new Reformation' with 95 theses 'for the 21st century'
Influential UK evangelical Steve Chalke is calling for a 'new Reformation' 500 years after Martin Luther's 95 theses ushered in the first. He told Christian Today that his proposed reform is not about division, but about debate.
In defence of Thought for the Day: why Britain needs the BBC's religious slot more than ever
Shots have been fired at the religious slot 'Thought for the Day', featured on Radio 4's Today programme. The 'sermon' segment has been called 'inappropriate' and 'deeply boring'. But society needs its unique platform now more than ever.
Rowan Williams: Repentance is appropriate after sins of the Protestant Reformation
The former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has said that 'repentance' is an 'appropriate' way of looking back on the Protestant Reformation, the 500th anniversary of which is celebrated today.
Head of Martin Luther's monastic order calls the reformer 'obstinate, intolerant, abusive and rude'
The head of the Catholic Order of St Augustine â of which Martin Luther was once a part â has offered a stinging rebuke of the famed Protestant reformer, describing him as 'obstinate, intolerant, abusive and rude'.
The dark side of the Reformation: John Calvin and the burning of heretics
On this day in 1553, the condemned heretic Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva, largely thanks to the efforts of theologian and Protestant reformer John Calvin. His involvement in this execution remains an unforgettable reminder of how theology can turn sinister.
Freedom of Belief Day: 4 reasons religious liberty still matters
Today, October 27, is International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day, an occasion to celebrate freedom where it exists and raise awareness of where it's sorely lacking. Here are four reasons freedom of belief matters for all across the world, religious or otherwise.
The biblical command most British Christians don't care for â and why they're dangerously wrong
The Old Testament's famous command against idolatry is seen as irrelevant to most Brits, including Christians. It might sound like just another 'rule' but it points to the longing of the human heart - and the Church ignores it at its peril.
Church Clarity wants answers on homosexuality â but what if ambiguity's what we need?
'Church Clarity' is a divisive new database that's pressuring pastors to clearly declare their stance on homosexuality. Some are celebrating, others fear what's next. Christians should love the truth, but in an ever-polarised world - can't we learn from ambiguity too?
Church Clarity: US pastors pushed to define the 'limits of their welcome' for LGBTQ persons
A new online initiative is pressuring US churches to clearly declare their stance on homosexuality, separating the 'affirming' from the 'non-affirming'.
How a megachurch tragedy nearly destroyed 'Prince of Preachers' Charles Spurgeon
The famed, fiery Baptist pastor Charles Spurgeon was a celebrity pastor of his era â and continues to inspire today â but one tragic megachurch event nearly ended his ministry completely.
Handwashing Day: Sesame Street team and World Vision unite for life-saving children's program
Today â October 15 â is Global Handwashing Day. It will this year see the team behind the children's programme Sesame Street unite with humanitarian agency World Vision for a major expansion of a program that empowers young people with life-saving education about hygiene and healthy sanitation.
Hell House: The evangelism strategy that aims to scare people into heaven
One US church has for decades been promoting salvation through a fiercer, more fiery means: an 'experience' known as a 'Hell House'.
Hungary's Prime Minister vows to combat Middle East persecution, return displaced Christians home
Hungary's Prime Minister has pledged to support Middle Eastern Christians suffering persecution, highlighting the plight of those belonging to 'the most persecuted religion in the world today'. The Prime Minister implicitly rejected immigration as a solution for refugees, and plans to serve the afflicted by helping them return to their 'ancestral homes'.
Coptic Orthodox priest stabbed to death in Cairo, Bishop Angaelos laments 'negligence and injustice'
A Coptic Orthodox priest has been stabbed to death in Cairo, Egypt. The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK has decried the injustice surrounding the crime.
True leaders bleed: Why Justin Welby's honesty on depression is a gift to the Church
The Archbishop of Canterbury has once again shown humble, inspired leadership for the Church, describing his mental health struggle with the 'black dog' of depression.