Martin Saunders
Was The Shack movie a success?
It was heralded as a landmark faith-based movie. A Christian film with a real budget, real stars and plenty of real theology.
New Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer arrives â with three major Christian themes
As ever Star Wars is concerned between the battle between darkness and light, and the compelling pull from both sides to choose one.
Blade Runner 2049 asks: Are we all going to Hell?
There aren't many darker visions of the future than the one offered by Blade Runner.
Thoughts and Prayers computer game mocks the Christian response to shootings... but does it have a point?
Christians are among the targets of a satirical online game designed in the midst of America's continuing mass-shooting epidemic.
Mark Driscoll is back after exactly three years... so how did it happen?
Too soon, anyone? The extraordinary return to public prominence of 'Pastor' Mark Driscoll, who was this week announced as the latest recruit to faith-based mega-blog Patheos, will surprise few people.
America doesn't need our contempt on the gun problem â it needs hope
Just imagine what might happen if the church across the great nation of America decided to take on the problem of gun violence...if you would only take it on, the rather than moralising, or ranting, or telling you how broken you are, we'd be cheering you on from Across the Pond.
Jesus said 'Judge not...' So why are we so judgmental?
Somehow, in spite of Jesus' rather clear words on the subject, his followers have become synonymous with moralising and calling out the behaviour of others. However that happened, it's up to today's church to dismantle that view.
Has coffee become an idol in the modern Church?
'I could give up any time I want,' says the addict, before pouring himself another cup of aromatic black liquid.
The Cross in fashion: Appropriation or opportunity?
The popularity of the Christian Cross in fashion is both perplexing and remarkable.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle review â sin, but not very original
If you gave a teenage boy at the peak of hormonal disruption a film crew and a $100 million budget, he'd make a Kingsman movie.
Four bad reasons to be kind to other people
Why are you kind? Why do you serve and demonstrate love to other people? Of course, the 'right' answer â certainly if you're a Christian â is that as follower of Christ you simply want to replicate his example.
'Reaching the unreached' â and other phrases guaranteed to alienate your community
A newly-refurbished church near where I live has just had new signage done, in an effort to engage and draw in passers-by.
Hollywood director hands out 'Lord's Prayer' cards before horror premiere
It's said to be one of the strangest â and most theological â films of the year, and its director has underlined both of these elements with an unusual audience gift at early screenings.
Seven gendered Bibles for manly men and girls who like flowers
There, in the gleaming window of my local Christian book shop, the book â or rather the version of that book â that had been missing from my life for all these years.
If necessary use words...What did Francis of Assisi really say?
The Christian gospel involves hearing as well as seeing; word as well as deed.
Lying for Jesus: why it matters that our preaching illustrations are actually true
The rewriting, mixing up and complete invention of stories to fit our purposes might feel like a necessary evil in the fight to inspire and encourage our listeners, but as communicators we have to call this what it really is: lying.