Britain sustained three home-grown terrorist attacks in 3 months. While the nation reeled the inferno at Grenfell Tower happened; the majority of victims were Muslim. Yet the Bible insists that even in despair God gives ‘treasure in darkness’ as a sign of the Kingdom breaking in. The media marvelled but couldn’t quite explain the impromptu solidarity – here’s some evidence of it.
Category Archives: Europe
Reverse Missiology: An Introduction
Passion for Mission Speaker 2017 Israel Olofinjana writes on the concept of “reverse mission”, which is becoming more and more relevant for the church today.
If you live in an urban part of the UK, you have probably noticed the many African, Latin American, Caribbean and Asian churches and Christians in Britain. Perhaps you’ve wondered why all these people are coming and starting churches in the UK?
One popular phrase used to describe this activity is ‘reverse mission’, but what is reverse mission, and why is it a controversial term?Read more
“Chrexit”
A brief and thought provoking post from Glenn Myers this week about the future of Christianity in our country.
It’s not news that our country has long been heading away from the Christian faith, changing our laws and norms, a sort of ‘Chrexit’.
But what do we Christians do about it? This kind of thing has happened before.Read more
One More Terrible Thing to Waste: Cultural Diversity
We have a proverb in Malawi that says mlendo ndi uyo abwera ndi kalumo kakuthwa, which roughly translates, “a guest usually comes with a sharper penknife.” The penknife was once, for our ancestors, the super-practical all-purpose tool used to resolve all kinds of challenges blocking a community’s way to progress. Read more
Europe on the cusp of 2017
In the last two years mission in Europe has received unprecedented attention. But where is the continent on the cusp of 2017? The most dramatic aspect of Jim Memory’s (ECM & Redcliffe College) research into European history has been the recognition that for much of the last six hundred years Europe has been in one crisis after another. The relatively peaceful era since 1945 has been an exception and all of us who are living in Europe have benefitted from this. However, the recent past may not be a path for the immediate future. Why not?Read more
Can a “nation” practice Christianity? (Part 2)
This is part of a 2-part series by Interserve’s Steve Bell. See Wednesday’s post for Part 1.
It’s hard to understand Europe without a grasp of Christianity’s role in shaping it. The old sacred/secular divide is disappearing as religion (not least Islamic) crashes into ‘public space’. But can Christians help a bewildered secular society to find its bearings?
Last time I pointed out that it’s ‘individuals’ (rather than ‘nation-states’) who follow Christ. Nations are impacted as national leaders who are imbued with the values of Europe’s Judeo-Christian heritage implement it in the public good. Examples of this include Margaret Thatcher, Teresa May and Angela Merkel – all raised as the daughters of pastors.
Can a “nation” practise Christianity? (Part 1)
This week we have a fantastic 2-part series from Interserve’s Steve Bell. Come back for part 2 on Friday!
Hitler’s Germany almost destroyed Europe by “pathological nationalism”. It now threatens it by “pathological altruism” as Angela Merkel makes history by inviting the world into Germany – a move that may yet trigger the demise of the EU.
Has it ever occurred to you that the instinct to defend the defenceless (although not unique to Christian teaching) originates in Europe’s ‘Judeo-Christian heritage’ (i.e. the biblical worldview embedded in our society, which insists individuals have both rights and responsibilities – see Mat.22:34-40). But how can ‘the heritage’ impact a secular Europe today?Read more
Before the deacons’ meeting
Two Deacons were chatting before the deacons’ meeting.
Peter: Good to see you back for a deacons’ meeting, John.
John: Yes I have been rather busy recently and haven’t been able to fit these meetings in. I hear we have got another intern starting next month.
Peter: Luigi isn’t an intern; he’s the new assistant minister.
John: Oh I thought he was a Latin American who is coming here to learn what it is like to work in a UK church.
‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’
Whether you are for or against ‘Brexit’, the fact is the EU has drifted from its original moral vision to put economics before values; while the Bible is clear that human existence is not just about ‘the standard of living’ but also ‘the quality of life’.
The European project has failed because it now has little to say on any issue except economics. Yet the original idea was in fact a ‘Christian vision’ of ‘theo-political imagination’ (academic Scott Thomas).
However, socialist thinkers in the European project eventually subjugated all else in order to develop policies on abortion, same-sex marriage and stem-cell research. Issues that have been driven rough-shod over centuries of Judeo-Christian values the EU project looks set to marginalise altogether.
A Christian Mission Perspective on the EU referendum
We are constantly being told that the EU referendum is the biggest political decision of our generation and potentially a turning point in the history of our country. Well that may or may not be true, but whatever our political perspective, as Christians we believe that Jesus Christ, not politics, is the hope of nations.
The earliest Christians confession “Jesus is Lord” wasn’t so much a statement of faith as a defiant rejection of the supreme authority of Caesar. For Christians Jesus Christ, not secular political power, is our ultimate authority. He is Lord. His sovereignty should be our controlling paradigm for reflection on life, the universe and everything, even the referendum.