Church in Chains Reports: 140 Baptist Children Kidnapped in Nigeria
The mission agency, Church in Chains, reports that 140 children from a Baptist Boarding School in Kaduna State, Nigeria were kidnapped on 7 July. “Gunmen kidnapped around 140 students at a Christian secondary school in Kaduna State on Monday 5 July. Local residents...
Barnabas Fund Reports: Three Pastors Arrested in Myanmar for Organising Prayers for Peace
Three pastors from Kachin state, Myanmar, have been arrested for organising prayers for peace. The chairman of the Rawang Literature and Culture Committee (RLCC) brought a lawsuit against them for conducting an inter-denominational prayer service in Naungmoon township...
Church in Chains Reports: Pastor Wu Locked in Apartment
Church in Chains Reports: Early Rain’s Pastor Wu Locked in Apartment Chinese authorities locked Minister Wu Wuqing of Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC), Sichuan province, into his apartment and prevented church members from visiting in the latest bid to make...
FEATURED
And While the Bureaucrats are at Play; Commentary by Calvin Robinson
The Reverend Charlie Boyle – the vicar of All Saints’ Church in Poole, Dorset – could potentially be sacked for breaking Covid guidelines. Boyle stands accused of singing the final verse of an Easter hymn without wearing a mask and generally failing to take...
Proof that There is No New Thing Under the Sun
Few readers of the English Churchman would doubt the truthfulness of the biblical proverb from Ecclesiastes 1:9, “there is no new thing under the sun”. What follows is a personal insight offered to the publication from the author of the following letter, The Revd Dr...
Desmond Swayne: Direct Talking MP from New Forest West
Our second interview with professing and practicing Christians in public life is with the Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne. Since 1997, he has served in the House of Commons by representing the constituency of New Forest West. He is married and has three children. ...
Raffel Consecrated Archbishop of Sydney
On Friday 28 May, The Very Revd Kanishka Da Silva Raffel, Dean of Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral, was consecrated as Archbishop of the Diocese of Sydney and Metropolitan of New South Wales of the Anglican Church of Australia. Archbishop Raffel’s consecration took...
The Pelagian Captivity of the Church
The Pelagian Captivity of the Church By Chuck Collins The church is in Pelagian captivity! Pelagianism is the favourite heresy of evangelicals, from the moralism of the do-more and try-harder religion, to the Lordship Salvation movement (you need obedience to prop up...
He Will Burn Up the Chaff with Unquenchable Fire
Bishop JC RyleHe Will Burn Up the Chaff with Unquenchable Fire In 1878, two years before he was made the first Bishop of Liverpool, The Revd JC Ryle delivered a sermon on the biblical teaching regarding the doctrine of hell. His words are as pertinent today as they...
Pilgrim’s Process
By The Revd Dr Peter Sanlon In our journey to heaven we are to be thankful for the world we pass through. One of the great prayers of the Book of Common Prayer (there are many!) is the General Thanksgiving. In it we pray, 'We bless thee for our creation, preservation...
NATIONAL
Statute of Limitations Proposed for Legacy of Troubles
Statute of Limitations Proposed for Legacy of the Troubles During the Prime Minister’s Question time on 15 July, PM Johnson announced that the government would be bringing forth a statute of limitations in regard to occurencess committed before the Good Friday...
Church of England Considering Legislation Regarding Parishes Seeking Input on Proposals
Church of England Considering Legislation Regarding Parishes Seeking Input on Proposals Input has been requested on the proposals to change the current legislation regarding parishes within the Church of England. The review of the Mission and Pastoral Measure...
Church of England Evangelical Council Reacts to Unorthodox Remarks by Bp of Liverpool
Church of England Evangelical Council Reacts to Unorthodox Remarks by Bishop of Liverpool The Church of England Evangelical Council has responded to a widely criticised public address and subsequent apology made last month by the Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of...
Questions Out of LFF, Letter to the Editor
Dear Sir, I read the first article from Anglican Futures, regarding the document, Living In Love and Faith, [LLF] EC 8083. I found the article helpful, well presented and gives a clear overview of the document. However, I found myself seriously disquieted and I raise...
Pilgrim’s Proces: Baptism Depths of Meaning by Peter Sanlon
In my last column we looked at the Lord’s Supper. Today, we take a look at the other sign our Lord Jesus instituted among us. These signs, or sacraments, which God gives his people are both simple and profound. In their simplicity, God's grace is powerfully...
School Required 4 yr Old Participation in Gay Pride Parade
Christian Concern has announced that the Christian Legal Centre is supporting a Christian mother whose four-year-old son was required to take part in a school’s gay pride parade against her will is to have her legal case heard in court this week. In June 2018, Mrs...
INTERNATIONAL
GAFCON Australia to Support Diocese for Those Forced from Anglican Church of Australia
GAFCON Australia to Support Diocese for Those Forced from Anglican Church of Australia Gafcon Australia has outlined its plan to support Anglicans who leave the Anglican Church of Australia over doctrinal revision which overturns the plain teaching of Scripture. At an...
Kenyan Bishop Appeals for Orphan Aid: Parental Deaths Due to HIV
Kenyan Bishop Appeals for Orphan Aid Parental Deaths Due to HIV The Rt Revd John Orina Omangi, Bishop of the Kisii Missionary District in Eastern Kenya is appealing for assistance in caring for 100 children orphaned by the widespread HIV problem in the area. Kisii...
Proof that There is No New Thing Under the Sun
Few readers of the English Churchman would doubt the truthfulness of the biblical proverb from Ecclesiastes 1:9, “there is no new thing under the sun”. What follows is a personal insight offered to the publication from the author of the following letter, The Revd Dr...
Church in Chains Reports: 140 Baptist Children Kidnapped in Nigeria
The mission agency, Church in Chains, reports that 140 children from a Baptist Boarding School in Kaduna State, Nigeria were kidnapped on 7 July. “Gunmen kidnapped around 140 students at a Christian secondary school in Kaduna State on Monday 5 July. Local residents...
Barnabas Fund Reports: Three Pastors Arrested in Myanmar for Organising Prayers for Peace
Three pastors from Kachin state, Myanmar, have been arrested for organising prayers for peace. The chairman of the Rawang Literature and Culture Committee (RLCC) brought a lawsuit against them for conducting an inter-denominational prayer service in Naungmoon township...
Understanding the Woke Brigades of Cancel Culture by Neil Shenvi & Pat Sawyer
Two American academics, Drs Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer, who are also practicing Christians, authored an excellent analysis of the Critical Social Justice movement in a column entitled; Facing Woke Religion, the Gospel is Still Good News. Shenvi holds a Ph.D. from...
REVIEWS
When a nation prays
Pastor Peter Simpson Minister of Penn Free Methodist Church www.realchristianity.org or jacqui.langston@btinternet.com 2021 156 (including references) pbk £6:75 or £18:25 for 3 copies (both prices include p&p) World War Two has been examined from almost...
Bibliophiles Rejoice for Choice
Bibliophiles, lovers of books and particularly those who prefer well-bound leather bibles can rejoice for the choices they have at the moment. If you do not own one and think to do so is an occasion for sin…look the other way. There are three companies currently...
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer, International
Book Review The 1662 Book of Common Prayer International Edition Given that the vast majority of 110 million Anglican Christians around belong to provinces that identify the 1662 Book of Common Prayer as their standard liturgy, it is no surprise that a publisher has...
What does the Bible teach about LUST?
What does the Bible teach about LUST? Owen Strachan & Gavin Peacock Christian Focus Hardback ISBN: 9781527104761 Available from Evangelical Bookshop, Belfast There are 4 chapters which follow a simple outline: People are Struggling (1); Lust is sinful (2);...
Against The Flow: The Inspiration of Daniel In An Age Of Relativism
Against The Flow: The Inspiration of Daniel In An Age Of Relativism John C Lennox Monarch Books, 2015. ISBN: 978-0-85721-621-2 The Book of Daniel gains barely a mention in the Revised Common Lectionary, but arguably there is not a book of Scripture that is more...
CHURCH OF ENGLAND
Church of England Evangelical Council Reacts to Unorthodox Remarks by Bp of Liverpool
Church of England Evangelical Council Reacts to Unorthodox Remarks by Bishop of Liverpool The Church of England Evangelical Council has responded to a widely criticised public address and subsequent apology made last month by the Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of...
And Just When You Thought You’d Heard Everything, Bats Communications Officer
Whilst considering reducing the number of clergy nationwide, the Church of England is advertising for someone to be employed as its, “Bats in Churches Communications Officer”. The post, which is located in London, pays between £31,857 and £34,255 (pro rata). The...
Church of England Considering Legislation Regarding Parishes Seeking Input on Proposals
Church of England Considering Legislation Regarding Parishes Seeking Input on Proposals Input has been requested on the proposals to change the current legislation regarding parishes within the Church of England. The review of the Mission and Pastoral Measure...
The Church of England Must Put Parishes First to Survive, Commentary by Prudence Dailey
One of the most highly publicised items on the agenda of the recent meeting of the General Synod was a Vision and Strategy paper proposed by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, which suggested that the Church of England might be called to plant ten...
Bishop of Maidstone Urged to Improve Training & Networks for Women in Ministry
A new survey on women’s ministry in complementarian evangelical churches, initiated by the Bishop of Maidstone, has found that better approaches to professional development and the creation of more ‘peer support’ networks are needed if this ministry is to flourish....
Mutual Flourishing? Do the Number of Senior Appointments Support the Five Guiding Principles?
Church Society has highlighted the question regarding the seriousness of the Church of England’s hierarchy about its implementation of Five Guiding Principles that were published in 2014. The Five Guiding Principles were written after the C of E changed canon law to...
DEVOTIONALS
Pilgrim’s Process: Spiritual Nourishment Needed by Peter Sanlon
We all need food to energise us for daily life. We all need food to energise us for our journey to heaven. There is something relationally encouraging and engaging about sharing a meal with a friend or family member. This is why the early church often ate together,...
JC Ryle on Sickness
Bishop JC Ryle on Sickness Lord, he whom You love is sick!" John 11:3 The chapter from which this text is taken, is well known to all Bible readers. In life-like description, in touching interest, in sublime simplicity — there is no writing in existence that will bear...
Heidelberg Catechism
Lord’s Day 4 Q & A 9 Q. But doesn’t God do us an injustice by requiring in his law what we are unable to do? A. No, God created human beings with the ability to keep the law.1 They, however, provoked by the devil,2 in willful disobedience,3 robbed themselves and all...
BCP Lectionary
9 May 2021 The Sixth Sunday of Easter Psalm 68:1-8 Joel 2:21-26 James 1:22 — end John 16:23 — end Collect “O Lord, from whom all good things do come: Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy...
LARGELY UNKNOWN
1: Tychicus – Totally Reliable “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord.” (Colossians 4:7) Tychicus is described as a “beloved brother”. Paul wrote similarly in Ephesians 6:21:...
BCP Worship
The Second Sunday after Easter 11 April 2021 Psalm 81:1-4Ezekiel 37:1-101 John 5:4-12John 20:19-23 BCP Collect “Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification: Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice...
DOCTRINE
Scripture or the Three-Legged Stool? by Mark Pickles
The question of ultimate authority is crucial for any church or denomination but is of particular significance within Anglicanism. The Thirty-nine Articles are unequivocal the Scripture is to be the Church’s final and ultimate authority. Article VI states that “Holy...
Five Guiding Principles
1.) Now that legislation has been passed to enable women to become bishops the Church of England is fully and unequivocally committed to all orders of ministry being open equally to all, without reference to gender, and holds that those whom it has duly ordained and...
Protestant Reformation Society Conference 2021 Postponed
Protestant Reformation Society 2021 Conference Postponed The Executive Committee of the Protestant Reformation Society has postponed the scheduled 2021 conference. This makes the second year in a row that the conference has not been able to be held due to the...
Anglican Futures on LLF Document
Anglican Futures takes a look at the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) document. For a fuller treatment on the subject see their blog at: www.anglicanfutures.org. Anglican Futures works with churches and clergy both in and outside the official Church of England...
Thirty-nine Articles of Religion
Thirty-nine Articles of Religion Passing Along the Faith Once Delivered Unto the Saints X. OF FREE-WILL THE condition of Man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith, and calling upon...
Comparisons & Contrasts
Comparisons & Contrasts 7: Forbearance & Toleration Toleration has two elements: to disagree with another’s conduct, and yet to be prepared to permit rather than to prohibit it. For instance, before 1689, it was illegal for non-Anglican ministers to preach in public....
COLUMNIST
Pilgrim’s Proces: Baptism Depths of Meaning by Peter Sanlon
In my last column we looked at the Lord’s Supper. Today, we take a look at the other sign our Lord Jesus instituted among us. These signs, or sacraments, which God gives his people are both simple and profound. In their simplicity, God's grace is powerfully...
The Church of England Must Put Parishes First to Survive, Commentary by Prudence Dailey
One of the most highly publicised items on the agenda of the recent meeting of the General Synod was a Vision and Strategy paper proposed by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, which suggested that the Church of England might be called to plant ten...
And While the Bureaucrats are at Play; Commentary by Calvin Robinson
The Reverend Charlie Boyle – the vicar of All Saints’ Church in Poole, Dorset – could potentially be sacked for breaking Covid guidelines. Boyle stands accused of singing the final verse of an Easter hymn without wearing a mask and generally failing to take...
Anglican Futures: Mere Christianity: the Body & Gender Identity
What follows is an answer I recently gave to someone asking what the Christian tradition believes concerning the body and gender identity, and whether it matters. For orthodox Anglicans, the focus on the creeds in what follows is important for three reasons. First, it...
Whistleblow & the Sheep-Guarders, A Parable
Whistleblow and the Sheep-Guarders: A Parable By Jon Kuhrt Once upon a time in the town of Northrun, there was a shepherd called Whistleblow. He was one of many shepherds who worked for Lord Northrun who owned most of the land in the area. Each shepherd had their own...
Prudence Dailey: No, Loving Your Neighbour Doesn’t Require you to Cover Your Face
No, Loving Your Neighbour Doesn’t Require You to Cover Four Face At the time of writing, it looks likely that the majority of COVID restrictions will be removed in England on 19th July, including mandatory mask-wearing. At the same time, the government is...
EDITORIALS
The Political Hypocrite and the Mancunian Episcopate
The collective societal gasp at CCTV images of the Health Secretary and his paramour was quite understandable. There for all the world to see, was Matt Hancock engaged in behaviour that he had criminalised for the rest of the country. Hands, Face, Space? His...
Editorial: Church Matters Worthy of Further Notation
Church Matters Worthy of Further Notation Try as we might, we inevitably find ourselves not able to print all the stories that really are worthy of publication. Such a matter is merely the by-product of limitation of space. The ink is willing but the paper is weak. ...
Three of Two Hundred Thirteen
Three of Two Hundred Thirteen In Lewis Carroll’s 1871 novel, Through the Looking Glass, his character, Humpty Dumpty is having a conversation with Alice from Carroll’s earlier novel, Alice in Wonderland. "I don't know what you mean by 'glory,' " Alice said. Humpty...
Atheists Seeking Secretary
If you missed the story of Mr Seth Mahiga, you missed an encouraging bit of information. Mr Mahiga hails from Kenya and, was until very recently, an atheist. In fact, he was so committed to atheism that he was Secretary for the group, Atheists in Kenya Society. It...
Editorial – The Creed of Athanasius
Editorial The Creed of Athanasius Christian practice is directly tied to the beliefs of Christians. Biblically faithful belief produces biblically faithful practice. To that end, our Editorial for this edition is the text from the Creed of Athanasius. There is nothing...
Freedoms Assailed
One of the most concerning aspects of all the Covid restrictions is the way police, politicians, and governments have acquiesced so readily regarding the restrictions being placed and enforced on freedom of speech and worship in majority Christian nations—even in a...
LETTERS
Letter: Power Belongeth to Christ
Dear Sir, There are numerous texts in the New Testament proving that the Lord Jesus is indeed the God spoken of in Psalm 62:11. Surely we each need to be humbled under a sense that any power or authority we have over any other human beings, whether family, religious,...
Letter: Irreverent Language
Sir, I have read the letter from PH & RE Brunker in issue 8083 carefully and (I hope) accurately. In commending the Authorised Version of the Bible, they state that the ‘Thou’ form of address is more reverent than ‘You’. Indeed, the Brunkers contend, to address an...
Questions Out of LFF, Letter to the Editor
Dear Sir, I read the first article from Anglican Futures, regarding the document, Living In Love and Faith, [LLF] EC 8083. I found the article helpful, well presented and gives a clear overview of the document. However, I found myself seriously disquieted and I raise...
Letter to the Editor: Irreverent Scriptural Quotation
Irreverent Scriptural Quotation Dear Sir My wife and I have been grieved to note that you do not consistently quote from the Authorised Version but until now assumed you were (albeit unwisely) seeking to please those who perhaps have never used that...
Letter to the Editor: Transwomen
Sir You have oft heard it said that two plus two equals four. For that equation to be true and balanced, it must also mean that four equals two plus two. You will have heard the dubious inculcation that transwomen are women. If that claim was true and balanced, it...
MORE NEWS
Forgotten Reformer: Myles Coverdale
Forgotten Reformer: Miles Coverdale Geoffrey Main Self-published, 2021 (ISBN: 9781916873704, 228pp) Episcopal biographies are always an enjoyable read, not least those of bishops who are better known for their non-episcopal work. Coverdale is of course best known for...
And Just When You Thought You’d Heard Everything, Bats Communications Officer
Whilst considering reducing the number of clergy nationwide, the Church of England is advertising for someone to be employed as its, “Bats in Churches Communications Officer”. The post, which is located in London, pays between £31,857 and £34,255 (pro rata). The...
Pilgrim’s Proces: Baptism Depths of Meaning by Peter Sanlon
In my last column we looked at the Lord’s Supper. Today, we take a look at the other sign our Lord Jesus instituted among us. These signs, or sacraments, which God gives his people are both simple and profound. In their simplicity, God's grace is powerfully...
The Church of England Must Put Parishes First to Survive, Commentary by Prudence Dailey
One of the most highly publicised items on the agenda of the recent meeting of the General Synod was a Vision and Strategy paper proposed by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, which suggested that the Church of England might be called to plant ten...
And While the Bureaucrats are at Play; Commentary by Calvin Robinson
The Reverend Charlie Boyle – the vicar of All Saints’ Church in Poole, Dorset – could potentially be sacked for breaking Covid guidelines. Boyle stands accused of singing the final verse of an Easter hymn without wearing a mask and generally failing to take...
Proof that There is No New Thing Under the Sun
Few readers of the English Churchman would doubt the truthfulness of the biblical proverb from Ecclesiastes 1:9, “there is no new thing under the sun”. What follows is a personal insight offered to the publication from the author of the following letter, The Revd Dr...
Bishop of Maidstone Urged to Improve Training & Networks for Women in Ministry
A new survey on women’s ministry in complementarian evangelical churches, initiated by the Bishop of Maidstone, has found that better approaches to professional development and the creation of more ‘peer support’ networks are needed if this ministry is to flourish....
TRENDING
Statute of Limitations Proposed for Legacy of Troubles
Statute of Limitations Proposed for Legacy of the Troubles During the Prime Minister’s Question time on 15 July, PM Johnson announced that the government would be bringing forth a statute of limitations in regard to occurencess committed before the Good Friday...
Church of England Considering Legislation Regarding Parishes Seeking Input on Proposals
Church of England Considering Legislation Regarding Parishes Seeking Input on Proposals Input has been requested on the proposals to change the current legislation regarding parishes within the Church of England. The review of the Mission and Pastoral Measure...
