Current page: Reporter / Joseph Hartropp
About Joseph Hartropp
Joseph Hartropp is Junior Staff Writer for Christian Today.
Joseph Hartropp
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Twitter's World Cup of Cathedrals: Titanic church clash sees dramatic finale
Last month marked a momentous anniversary – 500 years since the beginning (ish) of the Protestant Reformation, the decisive split that forever changed the Church. But this week, another climactic Christian clash awaits, albeit a little more light-hearted but no less energetic: the final of Twitter's World Cup of Cathedrals.
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John Lewis' #MozTheMonster: Why is it so meaningless?
The Christmas ads are back – with John Lewis unveiling their latest stab at vacuous sentimentalism today. It's 'the most wonderful time of the year' if you love generic, cynical corporate marketing – but for others it might be the nail in the coffin of 2017.
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God in monochrome: Is Christianity a black and white faith?
A brand-new exhibition at London's National Gallery titled Monochrome: Painting in Black and White showcases 700 years of human art completed in the monochrome – using black and white, or a gradient of just one colour. The already-acclaimed exhibit includes deeply religious works and prompts a question for contemporary believers: is Christianity a black-and-white faith?
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Supernatural wonder in a secular age: What Christians can learn from 'Stranger Things'
The spooky, nostalgic and thoroughly charming 'Stranger Things' returned to audiences last week, with season two of Netflix's surprise hit airing in time for the Hallowe'en season. Some Christians might be suspicious of horror and drama that delves too far into darkness, but they should be rest assured that this show is nothing to fear. 'Stranger Things' isn't just quality entertainment, but a provocative and spiritually wise fable for a secular age.
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The name-game dividing the Church: What makes a Christian 'evangelical'?
'Evangelical' is a divisive label in the Church today. Others are desperate to claim it, others to reject it. But can there be any consensus on hat it really means?
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'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'.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Head of Martin Luther's monastic order calls the reformer 'obstinate, intolerant, abusive and rude'
The head of the Catholic Order of St Augustine – of which Martin Luther was once a part – has offered a stinging rebuke of the famed Protestant reformer, describing him as 'obstinate, intolerant, abusive and rude'.
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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.
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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.
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The biblical command most British Christians don't care for – 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.
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Church Clarity wants answers on homosexuality – 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?
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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'.
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After Welby's resignation, what happens now?
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The little known story of England's first evangelical Queen
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