What our Afghan friends need right now

Yesterday I wrote about where the battle for Afghanistan was lost. I argued that the fate of the Afghan people was sealed at Doha when the US signed a deal with the Taliban. Consider the impact of that.  The people knew well what a return of the Taliban would mean: torture, rape, slavery, death.  Yet… Continue reading What our Afghan friends need right now

God’s Man in the Whitehouse?

It’s inauguration day in the States and Joe Biden will officially succeed Donald Trump as US President around about 5pm GMT. I usually like to watch the US election result and the inauguration just as I like to stay up for General Election night here.  It’s probably the closest our friends across the pond get… Continue reading God’s Man in the Whitehouse?

The difference between critical comment and conspiracy theory

In my earlier post, I mentioned this quote in Christianity Magazine We’re entering a dangerous time in the history of Western democracies – and that danger is not primarily from a mob of redneck conspiracy theorists. Rather it is a handful of Californian billionaires with an unparalleled power in human history, who pose the biggest… Continue reading The difference between critical comment and conspiracy theory

Why do Christians seem to get drawn into conspiracy theories?

I’ve seen this question asked by a couple of bloggers recently. My general response is that we should not assume that they are particularly more susceptible to them than anyone else it is just that we are generally more aware of it among Christians. However, the question about what will make those Christians that are… Continue reading Why do Christians seem to get drawn into conspiracy theories?

An assault on God’s Word and its consequences

In Genesis 3, the serpent turns up and asks if God had really said what he said in Genesis 2.His aim isn’t to encourage a Bible study or a philosophical discussion. Nor is it really to ensure that Adam and Eve are happier, healthier and freer. His aim is to amass power for himself. Brothers… Continue reading An assault on God’s Word and its consequences

Be careful who you give platforms to

Although Donald Trump had already amassed his billions and was famous when it happened, his celebrity status took off when he became the star of The Apprentice. This gave him an incredible media platform. Were we uncomfortable with his brashness, his crudeness and aggression? Yes we were. Did a number of other businessmen and women… Continue reading Be careful who you give platforms to

The Rule of Law

What makes a democracy? Is it simply that people get to vote for their political leaders and their policies? Well, not quite. Even dictators are fond of plebiscites (the traditional reason given by older politicians against the use of referenda) and some of the most brutal and corrupt regimes officially have elections. Those tend to… Continue reading The Rule of Law

We are literally broken by our hyperbole

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Every year, my wife and I have a kind of traditional conversation. I ask her what she is working on and she tells me that she is preparing the “persuasive writing” class for her students where they will learn about a number of rhetorical devises.  I then respond with a grumble about how that is… Continue reading We are literally broken by our hyperbole

Graciousness in victory and defeat #Election2020

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In the early hours of Wednesday morning, President Trump made a short speech, claiming that he had won the US Presidential election and accusing his opponents of attempting to steal the election. On Saturday night, with all States now called, it became clear that in fact Joe Biden had won.  Normal protocol is that the… Continue reading Graciousness in victory and defeat #Election2020

What does not change

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This is based on an article I wrote just after the Brexit vote. Today the US goes to the polls in the US Presidential election. For good or bad the election will affect most of us in some way, all around the world. However, we should keep the result in perspective If the Gospel is… Continue reading What does not change