faith Archives - Denham Parish Church

How to disagree well

February 13, 2023/in Article, Big Questions/by Christoph Lindner

On Sunday, 19 February, we will be thinking about Jesus’ difficult teaching on loving our enemies (Matthew 5.43-48).

Disagreeing well is getting harder in the age of social media. Here are some helpful principles:

Talk face to face as full human beings whenever possible. Try to build a relationship
Acknowledge differences. Stand up for what you believe but treat the other person’s view with respect.
You may win an argument but lose a friend! Be willing to say, “I don’t know the answer.” Our confidence is in the love of Jesus, not our perfect arguments.
Learn to listen well. Make sure you understand the other person’s viewpoint.
Jesus didn’t say “Go and sock it to them!” but “Love your enemies”. Remember that God loves this person and that Jesus died for them.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

This post is based on a conversation between Justin Brierley and Cris Rogers. You can watch it here:

Nicky Gumbel’s Confession – with Giles Fraser

October 16, 2021/in Interview, Video/by Christoph Lindner

In his sermon on 17 October at 10.30, Christoph mentioned the story of Nicky Gumbel. Here is a video in which he tells it to Giles Fraser.

You can watch the service from 17 October by clicking here…

Is It Coming Home?

July 3, 2021/in Article/by Christoph Lindner

“Is it coming home?” Tonight is the next crucial match for England!

Click here for an interesting article on the place of faith in the England dressing room…

Faith@Work

January 28, 2021/in Discussion or Conversation, Faith at Work, Video, Wellbeing/by Christoph Lindner

Christoph speaks to Olivia Drewett, a junior doctor in Bristol, about her work and faith.

A remarkable life: Ravi Zacharias, 1946-2020

May 21, 2020/in NEWS/by Christoph Lindner

UPDATE (February 2021):

Over the last months harrowing details have emerged of how Ravi Zacharias abused his position of trust and influence and abused and damaged the lives of people. In a recent blog post, LICC wrote these words, which we wholeheartedly echo:

“No apologetic can suffice. We must face tough questions on the charisma cult, wilful blindness to narcissistic leadership, lack of accountability, and defensive posturing making people deaf to those who spoke truth. Reparations must be made, where care and some sort of ‘justice’ for survivors is first priority.”

Read the whole article here…

Ravi Zacharias (26 March 1946 – 19 May 2020) was an Indian-born Canadian-American Christian speaker and writer. Zacharias was the author of more than 30 books revolving around “Apologetics” (helping believers think and thinkers believer), including Can Man Live Without God?, as well as Christian bestsellers Light in the Shadow of Jihad and The Grand Weaver. Zacharias was the founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and OCCA (Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics), which provided speakers for our Rethink week in 2018.

“Does God Exist?”

It is a question also asked behind the walls of Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola Prison, the largest maximum-security prison in the United States. Zacharias had prayed with prisoners of war all those years ago in Vietnam but walking through Death Row left an even deeper impression. Zacharias believed the gospel shined with grace and power, especially in the darkest places, and praying with those on Death Row “makes it impossible to block the tears.” It was his third visit to Angola and, such is his deep connection, the inmates have made Zacharias the coffin in which he will be buried. As he writes in Seeing Jesus from the East: