Contents

[Cover of Issue 97]

Life

I am not a Christian. You might therefore ask why I am writing for a magazine centered on Christian issues. I will explain.

I was introduced to the magazine by my friends, several of whom are regular contributors. As a result I have taken an interest in Christis somewhat, over the last year. One of the things that has impressed me is the openness of most of the articles. Let’s face it — you can’t write an article for a magazine like this without being open. This is not something I encounter amongst everyone in the wider world. I enjoy discussing my beliefs and the beliefs of others from time to time, and I am often gratified to find other people inclined to do so. I always find that in such discussions you have to be completely open and uninhibited to make any progress in conveying your opinions.

This brings me neatly onto the articles in this section. Ian Watton makes exactly this point in his article. He discusses how people will be more receptive if you are frank about your beliefs. John Knox explains how it is important to stay true to your principles. If you do, people may understand you better. Finally, Lizzie Freear examines what is probably one of the fundamental issues that many people, such as myself, may have with Christianity. This issue is perhaps little understood. This is, however, only my interpretation of three very intricate articles. Why not read them for yourelf and see what you think.

James E Butterworth

In Praise of People

Tea and Evangelism

Being the ‘huh’ in the modern world

The Good Church Guide

World

‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore…’

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

I’ve started this editorial with a reference to charity, but will move quickly on to guilt. With 40,000 people dying (murdered might be a more appropriate term) a day due to preventable diseases and malnutrition as victims of an economic war, we are in danger of being remembered for recreating the holocaust every 200 days. Goering’s ‘let’s not get upset over a few Jews’ maybe due for an upgrade — do we sit by as our economic policies drive the peoples of parts of Africa and Asia into a modern-day gas chamber? Or do we get upset, and demand a change? This year has seen a paradigm shift with regard to international relations. Starting with the international response to the tsunami, a variety of terrorist acts and now Hurricane Katrina, the rapid changes challenge us to respond appropriately. Lizzie explores an alternative response to one such headline issue, terrorism, in her article. Graham debates the place of Christianity in society today and Rachel investigates the decision makers as they meet this summer.

David Jones

Can we love terrorists?

A Summer of conferences

Un-Integrated Christianity

Belief

It is all too easy to become comfotable in your faith, to repeat the same prayers night after night, and not to question your beliefs. Some of the events of the summer have made me think more carfefully about what I believe — the London bombings, the failure of the G8 summit to improve trade rules, the hospitalisation of a friend. In these cases my faith was unshaken, but my understanding of God was deeened. We must question our beliefs if we are to grow.

In this section we have two articles that will make you think — David Jones asks whether violent protest is really a bad thing, and Lois Cross takes a deeper look at prayer.

Lizzie Freear

Fighting for a just cause

Prayer

Photo: pro.corbis.com

Editorial

Letters

Review: Testament