defending our faith
The training challenge
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 29 Aug 2024
One of the great challenges facing the church is how we train the next generation of apologists, pastors, evangelists and other workers.
The needs are great. I know many churches who are looking to recruit pastors but struggling to find someone appropriate. Likewise, how do we train apologists? Many online apologists using YouTube and other forms of social media are self-taught, mean well, but sometimes mislead.
defending our faith
One man’s quiet legacy
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 17 Jul 2024
Archaeological excavations at Corinth have revealed a wealth of remains that help us understand the New Testament and also demonstrate that the books were written during the middle of the first century AD. We have just returned from filming there for a new series on the Bible – it really brings the Bible to life.
Corinth was an important travel hub for the Roman Empire, sitting on a narrow neck of the Greek mainland. Nowadays a canal joins the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea and saves boats a long journey around the coastline. In Paul’s day, boats were dragged overland along a portage road, remains of which can still be seen.
defending our faith
The church is an apologetic!
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 Mar 2024
I have been writing this column in Evangelicals Now for many years. The general theme is apologetics – the defence of our faith – using reliable evidence and being aware of contemporary questions.
I have done so as a lecturer at one of our nation’s Bible colleges. Archaeology, Biblical texts, ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions are all familiar territory for anyone studying academic theology.
defending our faith
Evangelicals and women
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 Dec 2022
At present the role of women in ministry
is one of the most pressing topics among
evangelical Christians.
Recent books reassessing complementarian
and egalitarian perspectives on
the Bible
have provided some helpful reconsideration
of the topic and reflection on the nature
of leadership in the contemporary church.
However,
for onlookers
from outside the
evangelical church,
the debate can
seem
antiquated and out of touch.
defending our faith
Platforms for hate speech?
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 Mar 2020
In a very disturbing recent development, major British conference venues have cancelled bookings for a tour by the son of Billy Graham. The May 2020 mission has been planned to give Franklin Graham an opportunity to follow in his late father’s footsteps and preach the gospel in various UK cities.
It is true that Franklin Graham has been controversial in some church circles. His salary from the Samaritan’s Purse has been under scrutiny. His vocal support for Donald Trump has alienated some evangelicals. His style of evangelism may not always fit well with British churches. But it is important to remember that these issues are not the point.
defending our faith
When Billy met C.S. Lewis
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 Apr 2018
It has been striking to notice the high esteem in which Billy Graham has generally been held.
Despite a few vocal critics, there has been genuine affection evident in his passing.
defending our faith
Excavating the truth
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 Mar 2018
Late last year Donald Trump declared that the US would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel.
For many tourists to the Holy Land this seemed fairly uncontroversial. Given that this is the location of the Israeli Parliament, many visitors always assumed Jerusalem was its capital. However, in practice Tel Aviv has been the internationally recognized capital with diplomatic missions located there. Trump’s plan to move the American embassy has created real friction on the ground.
defending our faith
Reformation and reason
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 Feb 2017
2017 marks 500 years since the Reformation (dating it from Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Door).
Hopefully, for many Christians, this will reawaken an interest in our heritage. It is time to blow away the dust, if we have allowed it to settle, and read some classics of Christian history. John Calvin’s Institutes, Martin Luther’s Table Talk and later Puritan writings, like those of Jonathan Edwards, will all help remind us of the depths and riches of Reformation theology.
Growing a rural church
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 Feb 2014
Chris Sinkinson reports from deepest Hampshire
Town centre churches tend to get all the attention!
defending our faith
Evangelicals and the Incarnation
Chris Sinkinson
Date posted: 1 May 2004
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
Evangelicals and the Incarnation
Edited by David Peterson. Paternoster. 208 pages. ?14.99
ISBN 1 84227 209 8
The background to the book lies over a century ago in an 1889 conference called Lux Mundi. This was a watershed in the Church of England that crystallised what we now call liberal Anglicanism.