Click the play button above to listen to this article. "The best-laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry. and leave us nothing but grief and pain, for promised joy!" so wrote the Scottish poet, Robert Burns (quote is modernised). Rober Burns by Alexander Nasmyth, 1787, Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Don't we all know … Continue reading Who Is God?: The Master of History
Often, we assume that God is basically like us - only more clever and powerful. The big man in the sky. But, in fact, it is easier to say what He is not than to understand who He is...
Have you seen those postcards of a quiet Christmas? The snow lies thick about a picturesque village. Warm light glows from the windows of several cottages, sprinkled about the bottom of rolling hills. You can almost hear the bells in the little chapel's steeple ringing out in the crisp night air. The only sound for … Continue reading Silent Night: The Story Behind the Carol
If you need a laugh, search the internet for bad versions of this belter. There are some brave people out there... who can't hit high notes... but, fair play to them, keep trying! Classic FM (a posh radio station here in the UK) reckons O Holy Night might just be the greatest Carol of all. … Continue reading O Holy Night: The Story Behind the Carol
Over the weeks leading up to Christmas, I thought it would be fun to explore some of the most popular Christmas carols in the English-speaking world, delve into their origins and try to unpick their meaning. As a lover of history, I'm really looking forward to it. May I start with a caveat? I am … Continue reading What is a Carol? (Christmas Special)
It's a question that is almost guaranteed to be asked when religion is being discussed. "If God made the world then who made God?" Something has to be eternal, something which is the first cause of everything else. Why? Well, if there ever was a time when absolutely nothing existed, then nothing could exist now. … Continue reading Who Made God?
With the fading of nominal Christianity in the West, it's easy for us Brits to forget that Christianity is growing rapidly around the world. A large percentage of the human race believe the Bible is our Creator's word for us today. But is it reasonable to believe what the Bible teaches? Can one religion be … Continue reading Why Believe The Bible?
Do you enjoy learning about the past? I love history documentaries. But since getting married I've had to learn that history isn't everyone's cup of tea! But while we all don't share a fascination with the past, we all wonder about the future. Will we ever get flying cars? Where will we be working in … Continue reading Jesus: Our Future Hope
At the very heart of the Christian hope is the crucifixion of Jesus. "He died," we say, "to pay for our sins." But then literally thousands upon thousands of people were crucified in the Greco-Roman world. How does one more tragedy in that far off era matter today? Jesus went to the cross willingly. Out … Continue reading Jesus: Our Sin Bearer
The Bible says that Jesus of Nazareth is God's promised Saviour who died to take away our sins. But why did he take so long? Why didn't He appear on earth Good Friday, go straight to the cross, ascending back to heaven, mission accomplished, on Easter Sunday? Why the of 33 years of growing from … Continue reading Jesus: Our Righteousness
Yours Truthfully 