On May 29 the RCL features the last of its series of readings from the Book of Revelation, this time from Revelation 22, but with some verses missing. CSBV Research Associate Peter King asks whether it is a good idea
Only the Good News?
Book Review: God and Guns: The Bible against American Gun Culture
Caio Peres reviews “God and Guns: The Bible against American Gun Culture” edited by C. L. Crouch and Christopher B. Hays (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2021) You are different with a gun in your hand; the gun is different
“The things that make for peace”. A reflection for Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday sermon, based on Mal 3:1-5; Luke 19:35-45, by the director of the CSBV, Helen Paynter. I’ve got a problem. Or, rather, I’ve had a problem trying to prepare this sermon. I thought I knew what I wanted to
Preaching on the Book of Revelation
In advance of a set of readings from the Book of Revelation in the RCL, and for anyone else setting out to preach on this strange and mysterious book, Ian Paul offers some much-needed help. Nothing strikes fear into the
Making Peace in a Violent & Fragmented World
Research Associate Peter King invites us to consider how the recent Declaration on the “Russian World” Teaching of the Russian Orthodox Church might speak to our own context. He has also produced six studies for individual or group use on this
The Blessing of Ishmael
On March 13 one of the RCL O.T. Readings (Lent 2) is Genesis 15. CSBV Research Associate Ashley Hibbard invites us to read on to Genesis 16 and to consider the place of Ishmael in the O.T. story and beyond. The character of
Hopelessness in the Wilderness of War
In this guest post, Will Moore shares his sermon on Lent, preached on 6th March 2022. I often like to start my sermons with a hook, a joke perhaps, something to grab your attention and get you listening. But this
A Violent Fast
You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high
National Churches & Trans-National God
Research associate Peter King considers the role of the national church in contributing to nationalism, and offers practical solutions for the church to instead reflect a trans-national God. The war makes me more thankful for the Church, which serves no
The Lure of a Happy Ending – Making Space for the Traumatised
The unfinished ending to Mark’s Gospel leaves room for grief and trauma in a way that public worship very often fails to do. In this guest post Dr Sarah Travis invites us to consider how much our worship and preaching makes