Foundations 72 is now online

We are pleased to announce that the latest issue of our theological journal Foundations is now online and available for reading online or free download in PDF and HTML versions.

This issue focuses on the theme of church planting and have four articles from men who are experienced planters, but in various different settings and with varying ministry models behind their work. Neil Powell (2020birmingham and City to City Europe) looks at 'The Nature and Necessity of Church-Planting Movements', while Philip Moore of Acts 29 Europe defends the need for 'Specificity on Doctrinal Distinctives for a Church-Planting Movement'. Then Neil MacMillan of the Free Church of Scotland writes on 'Building a Church-Planting Movement in a Traditional Denomination'. Finally, Andy Paterson of the FIEC lays out a vision for 'Multi-Site Church'.

Lastly, as a follow-up to the previous issue's focus on the doctrine of creation, Stephen Lloyd sets out an argument for what he calls 'Chronological Creationism'.

We end with ten book reviews.

It all makes for an inspiring and stimulating edition of our journal. Happy reading!

Foundations 72 - Spring 2017

Foundations 72 - Spring 2017 PDF

Posted 27th June 2017 | Comments 0

Divorce on the Decrease

Divorce is on the decrease in the UK, which might be cause for celebration. But behind these figures there appears to be a loss of confidence in marriage as a joyful covenant. This means that family life is increasingly unstable for children growing up. We need to pray for strong families and we must also live out the great story of family life, God’s way... (more)

Posted 22nd June 2017 | Comments 0

Reformation 2017: Relevant or Redundant? - Nick Needham

Here is the latest in our series of articles on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, and why it is still relevant today. Dr Nick Needham writes from "A Reformed Church Historian’s Perspective".

The great nineteenth century American Reformed thinker, John Williamson Nevin, once accused his younger Christian self of having had “an inappropriate posture towards the facts of church history”. He repented of his error.

So did I. Once upon a time (too long ago for me to enjoy remembering!), had someone asked me what I thought of the Protestant Reformation, I’d have said it was the miraculous restoration of true Christianity, like a bolt from the blue, after the long dark night of the Middle Ages. Now, however, I’d agree with Nevin: the Reformation was the greatest act of the medieval Church itself – all that was best in the medieval Catholic Church correcting all that was worst... (more)

Martin Luther (left) and John Calvin depicted in a stained glass window from the Evangelical City Church in Wiesloch, Germany.

Posted 16th June 2017 | Comments 0

Tim Farron resigns

We pray for Tim Farron and we pray for God’s mercy on our nation that Christians may be bold and given opportunity to speak up for Christ.

Tim Farron has announced he is to stand down as leader of the Liberal Democrats. He says “I have found myself torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader… to be a political leader… and to live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible’s teaching, has felt impossible for me.”

We can only speculate about precisely what he means about not being able to reconcile his Christian faith with being a political leader... (more)

Posted 15th June 2017 | Comments 0

Scottish Episcopal Church votes for same-sex marriage

Last week, the Scottish Episcopal Church voted to change its rules so that they can perform same-sex marriages. David Robertson has written about this on the Affinity website here. Lee Gatiss, a member of the Affinity council, has written about it here.

It was another disappointing move for an historic church denomination. It is sad because it represents the fruit of abandoning a commitment to God’s word as our authority, which is pretty much the same as abandoning God as our authority... (more).

Posted 15th June 2017 | Comments 0