Opinions/reflections - July - December 2017

Is image really everything?

Why we must choose to see past the mere physical exterior and see the true heart beauty that God values

Art as a tool for understanding

Our ability to share and reimagine God’s kingdom on earth is helped by taking notice of the art that surrounds us

Ministers need a system to read the Bible

Reaction and analysis to a survey of Baptist ministers about their Bible-reading habits. By Paul Beasley-Murray

What does it mean to be human?

Baptist church planter Joe Haward seeks to help us reconnect with our beautiful humanity, discovered in Jesus

How evangelism can be fun

Mark Roques struggled with evangelism – until he discovered how to talk about Jesus in a natural way

Diesel the dog and the kingdom of God

There are moments when, even in this earthly life, we get little glimpses of something eternal, writes Colin Sedgwick

Migrancy in the UK: three areas to consider

Baptist theologian Helen Paynter offers points for reflection that may help broaden our understanding

Negotiating our way through the maze

How do we disarm suspicion of faith and direct people towards an authentic encounter with the living Jesus?

Do numbers count with God?

Seven reasons why praying together is more effective than purely praying alone. By Chris Band

What did God do on his day off?

On God’s schedule, rest is always planned. Here are three tips when thinking about the Sabbath

Can you pray... too much?

Looking at examples from the Bible, a Baptist minister reflects on how long we should be praying for

What will we learn from history?

Reflecting on Charlottesville, Mary Taylor says it vital we study how the Bible holds up a light to current events

Diary of a Baptist minister

As part of his sabbatical, Anthony Crawford took part in Mission to Wales. This is what happened

Justice: challenging our perspective

Churches need to raise their game to tackle the injustices that afflict our society, writes a Baptist minister

The fool, the hot-head and the peace-maker

There is much to learn from the Old Testament, as the 1 Samuel story involving Nabal, David, and Abigail shows

Left to their own devices?

Exploring the impact of the digital world on teenagers and younger children - and our response as parents

'Spiritual but not religious'

A pastor's response to the latest British Social Attitudes survey, which stated half UK now "non-religious"

Faith, doubt... and a phoenix rising

'Like some bell curve of Christian faith, I feel I’m on the downward drop. And you know what? I’m loving it'

Open hands - and a generous heart

Baptist minister Ifor Williams has written a much-praised book on giving. He explains how it came about

I was in prison and you visited me

There are a range of ways Christians can support prisoners and the Prison Service

The Reformation - and the DoP

A Baptist minister revisits the Declaration of Principle (DoP) through the prism of the Reformation

Working with our primary schools

The primary school is a place where community really meets - and where Christians can serve with integrity

Living in different worlds

It is hard to communicate how chaotic and vulnerable lives can be. How do we respond to the world of the broken?

Are you decaying nicely?

Ageing means our bodies are not what they were, but here's why we mustn't lose heart, writes a Baptist minister

How the Reformation changed the Church

The Reformation was a wonderful gift from God - but we should acknowledge where the Reformers went wrong too

The Apology - Ten Years On

Justice Enabler Wale Hudson-Roberts reflects on the time since this historic resolution was agreed by our Council

What of the Children of Calais?

What of the children of Calais? I tell you that tonight these children sleep in woods, on slag heaps, in industrial zones.

Would Jesus drive a diesel?

Or more relevantly, should we be concerned about our modes of transport and the source of our energy consumption?

A new method of dialogue

Interfaith discussions and studies are fine - but are we asking the right questions? By Alec Gilmore

Sleepy Pope awakens radio opportunity

The Pope admitting to falling asleep when he prays led to the BBC calling a Baptist minister for a series of radio interviews

MLK: 'Radical Christian peacemaker'

It's the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's visit to Newcastle University - here's how to honour his legacy

Let’s keep that fragrance rising to God

As a dyed-in-the-wool, evangelical Baptist, I don’t care much for incense. But then I read Revelation

Heart to Heart Listening

What it needs, and the impact it can have: a reflection on the art and the importance of listening well

The Paradise Papers - and slavery

Our complicity in a global financial system relentlessly in favour of the rich while exploiting the poor

When faith gives way to sight

Do we really believe that one day we will see Jesus? An invitation to ponder one of the richest verses in the Bible

Three lessons to learn from 2017

It didn’t have the same shock value as last year, but 2017 still had its share of defining events. Here are just three

Don't forget the angels this Christmas

We live in a world more convinced of fairies, yet angels are everywhere, including the heart of the Christmas story

Can we really say Happy Christmas?

There are many grim stories from around the world - but the Christmas story is essentially about putting it right

Banner Image:	Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:	Baptist Times