“I’m sorry, it’s a rather long reading this morning.” If you have spent any time in evangelical churches, you have probably heard those words. Perhaps you have spoken them yourself. The Bible reader steps to the lectern, glances apologetically at the congregation, and warns them that what follows may test their patience. A chapter fromContinue reading “Stop Apologising for Long Bible Readings; Recovering the Lost Art of Public Scripture Reading”
Tag Archives: God
God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Why They Are Friends, Not Enemies
Few doctrines generate more questions among Christians than the sovereignty of God. For some, it is a source of deep comfort. For others, it feels unsettling. Many believers hear phrases like “God is sovereign” and immediately wonder: What about free will? Are our choices real? Does human responsibility matter?
Three Small Books About Big Topics
We live in an age of information overload. Students today have access to more content than any previous generation in history, yet many remain unsure about the most important questions of life. What does it mean to live well? How can I pursue holiness in a culture that normalises sexual sin? How can I speakContinue reading “Three Small Books About Big Topics”
Head Knowledge Isn’t Enough: Why Knowing About Jesus Is Not the Same as Knowing Him
There is a subtle danger that lurks in conservative evangelical churches, particularly those that rightly value sound doctrine and serious Bible teaching. It is the danger of confusing theological knowledge with spiritual maturity. Now, let us be clear from the outset: doctrine matters immensely. Truth matters. God has revealed himself in words, propositions, history, commands,Continue reading “Head Knowledge Isn’t Enough: Why Knowing About Jesus Is Not the Same as Knowing Him”
Heaven, Earth Made New, and the Glory of Christ: Correcting Our Vision of Eternity
Few subjects stir both hope and confusion among Christians quite like heaven. We sing of it, long for it, and comfort one another with its promise, yet our understanding is often shaped as much by imagination, sentiment, or popular culture as by Scripture. As a result, many believers unknowingly carry misconceptions that, while sincere, canContinue reading “Heaven, Earth Made New, and the Glory of Christ: Correcting Our Vision of Eternity”
Wisdom, Loneliness, Grace, and the Goodness of Singleness
Christians have always been a people shaped by good books. Long before podcasts and livestreams, believers gathered around the written word, Scripture first and foremost, but also the thoughtful reflections of faithful teachers who help us apply biblical truth to the realities of life. In every generation, the church needs books that help us thinkContinue reading “Wisdom, Loneliness, Grace, and the Goodness of Singleness”
Overcoming Comparison: Finding Christ-Centered Contentment
It has never been easier to compare our lives with others. With a few swipes of a screen we can peer into the homes, holidays, achievements, ministries, bodies, wardrobes, and successes of countless people. Whether through social media, advertising, or the subtle pressures of modern life, we are constantly told that what we have isContinue reading “Overcoming Comparison: Finding Christ-Centered Contentment”
The Loving Severity of Christ: Why Church Discipline Still Matters
Church discipline is rarely the subject of conference banners or popular podcasts. It feels awkward, heavy, and (if we are honest) it can feel dangerous. In a culture that seems to be growing more suspicious of authority and is allergic to judgement, the very phrase ‘church discipline’ can sound harsh. Yet when we turn toContinue reading “The Loving Severity of Christ: Why Church Discipline Still Matters”
Navigating Faith: Books for Today’s Christian Questions
In every generation (at least in modern times) Christians find themselves asking the same deep questions: Why do I suffer? Why do my children wander? How do I know the real Jesus? How can I grow? What does faithfulness look like in the quiet, unseen places of church life? Some of the recent books thatContinue reading “Navigating Faith: Books for Today’s Christian Questions”
The Church and the Mental Health Conversation: What’s Helpful, What’s Unhelpful, and How the Gospel Brings Deeper Healing
In recent years, the mental health conversation has moved from the margins to the mainstream. Anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, and loneliness are no longer whispered about—they are discussed in podcasts, pulpits, classrooms, and coffee shops all over the place. That’s not all bad. In many ways, it’s a mercy. It can often mean that peopleContinue reading “The Church and the Mental Health Conversation: What’s Helpful, What’s Unhelpful, and How the Gospel Brings Deeper Healing”
Chalmers' Blog 