Yesterday, The Times reported that Russell Brand had been conducting baptisms in a penguin pool at a zoo. The relative merits of conducting a baptism at a zoo or surrounded by penguins can be debated. Given the Didache was pretty clear that running water i.e. a river was preferential, and there is plenty of biblical data to support a position that reckons this to be best, most view the presence of water and the full submersion of the candidate as the essential mode and are less concerned whether it happens in the sea, a river or some other form of pool.

The Eurovision Song Contest has always brought out strong feelings in many people (not least in my native Sweden where it enjoys a much higher status than here in the UK). This year, however, emoti…

British summer weather is quite a fascinating phenomenon. At the time of writing I have the heating on in my office while wearing a warm fleece – whereas last week it was 25°C (77°F) outside and I …

This month we celebrate Easter, and for good reason: without Easter, there would be no church. For 2000 years the resurrection of Jesus has been the focal point of the Christian message – not to me…

It’s time to admit it: I’m part of a world-wide group of subversive activists, who refuse to give our allegiance to the leaders and rulers that supposedly reign over us. I’ve sworn loyalty to a new…

‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher.  ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ (Eccl. 1:2) This is one of those Bible verses that everyone knows and recognises – even th…

Back in 1947 C S Lewis wrote an essay about vivisection,1 where his main point wasn’t for or against but that we have to use reason to discuss it. His main complaint was that people on both sides o…

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