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In this article, the role of a chaplain to Church of England bishop is described and reflected on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers an evaluation of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) and suggests that, while it has many strengths, there are some issues with it—how common it might actually be, the repetition of some passages and the exclusion of many others, either because they contain hard material or because they are too long, the frequent use of 'Reader's Digest' abbreviated versions of texts, the designation 'semi-continuous' and the often obscure way 'related' OT lections do actually relate to the set Gospel. It concludes that, while the RCL is better than its predecessors, a slavish use of it is less than helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines contemporary Christian understandings of ‘preaching’ and compares them with the description of ‘prophecy’ in 1 Corinthians 14 and elsewhere in the Bible. It concludes that, while prophecy is broader than preaching, the term ‘prophecy’ in 1 Corinthians 14 does indeed include what most today would call ‘preaching.’ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the author revisits the ‘History of the Rechabites’, chs. 8–10 of the Story of Zosimus, a text he first studied in the 1980s, in the light of the work done on the text more recently by Nikolsky and Davila. He looks more closely at the reasons why the text may or may not be Jewish and concludes that, despite his earlier published views, it is more likely to be a Christian composition than a Jewish one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the similarities between John 1:44-51 and 20:24-29, the Nathanael and Thomas narratives, and proposes that the two accounts are so close to each other in structure and vocabulary that they can be profitably read in parallel with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, the author reflects on the differences between Church life in England and Scotland, and the significance of borders for identity, in the light of his recent move from ministry in North-East England to ministry in the Scottish Borders, and suggests that it is as we face changes that we grow. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents several sermons for January 2012. It includes one for New Year's Day, which brings many opportunities and challenges. It also offers a sermon for the first Sunday after Epiphany, which mentions how God comes to people through other people. The categories of religious experience according to theologian John Hick are also discussed.

This article offers the author's interpretation of the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus in Mark 9.2-13, arguing that it is closely connected both with its immediate context in Mark and also with Mark 16.1-8. It suggests that two key themes in the Transfiguration in Mark are the metamorphosis of Jesus and of his followers, and the importance of obedience to Jesus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the sermon for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost on July 10, 2016. It mentions the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the most famous and most-loved of all of the parables told by Jesus. It notes the need to show care to people by effectively making all the decisions for them when seeking to show mercy to people in extreme situations.

This article describes how the Rule of St Benedict inspires and challenges the life and ministry of the author and the life and ministry of the church he serves, St Margaret's Scotswood, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and suggests that others 'in ministry' could similarly be inspired and challenged by Benedict's words. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to define what is meant by 'urban regeneration', and to offer a theological, biblical-based critique of regeneration definitions and practices. It argues that regeneration must always be 'with people in mind' and that the prime purpose of regeneration is to promote human flourishing. The Bible's emphasis on 'life in all its fullness' and Layard's work on happiness challenge regeneration practitioners to be explicit about who regeneration is for and what they are trying to achieve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a sermon for Third Sunday of Easter, April 19, 2015, based on verses from the Book of Luke and Book of Acts. It discusses the author's experience of being asked to appear at a hearing to support the appeal of an Iranian family in his congregation against the refusal of the English government to grant them asylum on religious grounds. The concept of Jesus Christ's followers or disciplines being witnesses is explored.

Examines the sources of the &apocryphon lsquo;Story of Zosimus&rsquo. Relationship between the History of Rechabites and the Old Testament; Reasons behind the popularity of Abode of the Blessef in Christian monastic circle; Interaction between Jews and Christians.

Investigates the story of Zosimus and history of the Rechabites. Existence of the story in Slavonic, Syriac and Ethiopic recensions; Lack of mention of the Rechabites in the Ethiopic; Details on the version and modern language translation of the Syriac recension.

The article discusses the passage for the fourth Sunday of Lent taken from St. John 3.16. Topics discussed include John 3:16 as only about the salvation given to believing sinners by the Jesus's death on the Cross, the use of words for "world" in 2 different senses including one where worldliness describes the things of the world as the cravings of sinful men and women and God's love for the world.

The article presents a Bible reflection on the Book of Mark about the followers of Jesus. Topics highlighted include the importance of repenting and believing in the good news of God, sacrifice showed by the disciples of Jesus to follow him, challenges that people may experience when they give their life and follow Jesus.

The article presents a sermon to be given by Reverend Chris Knights in Lempitlaw, Scotland on October 5, 2014. He recalls reading a passage in the Book of Ezekiel where the Lord told the prophet that the people will listen to his words because of his beautiful voice but will not put them into practice. He also discusses the "Song of the Vineyard" passage from the Book of Isaiah.

This short article argues from the unique text in Mark 3.13–15 that all Christian vocation is about being called by Jesus to ‘be with him’ and to ‘be sent out by him’, so is about who God has called us to be as well as what God has called us to do (or to give up doing). It also draws on the Baptismal Liturgy of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Methodist Covenant Prayer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article talks about the Christian Bible verse Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-7. The author says that Christians should be open to the possibility that the places and situations that they are in currently may be in accordance with God's plan. He says that Jeremiah's letter is all about remaining in place unless God clearly and unequivocally calls to move on and "shake the dust from our feet".

This article presents a sermon for August 25, 2013. The sermon is about a passage from the Book of Jeremiah, focusing on the safety and protection of human beings by God. It emphasizes that this protection of human beings does not only refers to physical safety, but also spiritual safety. It suggests that God will keep people safe if they, like Jeremiah, become true disciples.

The article discusses John 21:1-19, the gospel reading for April 14, 2013, the third Sunday of Easter. The passage describes the resurrected Jesus Christ appearing before seven of the disciples in their ordinary, workaday life at the Sea of Galilee. The author speculates that the passage may indicate that Jesus Christ's love for humankind is so great that He actually seeks people out as they go about their daily tasks instead of waiting for them to come to Him.

The article presents a sermon for the second Sunday of Advent season on December 16, 2012. According to the biblical verse Philippians 4.5, the Lord is very near. The author says there is a need to understand the term "near" in relation to the biblical verse. He explains that the verse may mean that the Lord is not very far away and that he will be coming back soon. He believes that the Lord's nearness can be attributed to his decision to become human in Jesus.

The article presents a gospel interpretation of bible readings taken from the books of Job and Hebrews. It explains the role of physical, mental or emotional sufferings in strengthening faith. The author emphasizes that faith can make things possible no matter how hard and difficult they are. He prays that people in the dark or in anguished times may hold fast to God.