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Opinions/reflections - July - December 2017 

Is image really everything? 
Why we must choose to see past the mere physical exterior and see the true heart beauty that God values
Art as a tool for understanding
Our ability to share and reimagine God’s kingdom on earth is helped by taking notice of the art that surrounds us
Ministers need a system to read the Bible 
Reaction and analysis to a survey of Baptist ministers about their Bible-reading habits. By Paul Beasley-Murray
What does it mean to be human?
Baptist church planter Joe Haward seeks to help us reconnect with our beautiful humanity, discovered in Jesus
How evangelism can be fun
Mark Roques struggled with evangelism – until he discovered how to talk about Jesus in a natural way
Diesel the dog and the kingdom of God 
There are moments when, even in this earthly life, we get little glimpses of something eternal, writes Colin Sedgwick
Migrancy in the UK: three areas to consider
Baptist theologian Helen Paynter offers points for reflection that may help broaden our understanding
Negotiating our way through the maze 
How do we disarm suspicion of faith and direct people towards an authentic encounter with the living Jesus?
Do numbers count with God? 
Seven reasons why praying together is more effective than purely praying alone. By Chris Band
What did God do on his day off? 
On God’s schedule, rest is always planned. Here are three tips when thinking about the Sabbath
Can you pray... too much? 
Looking at examples from the Bible, a Baptist minister reflects on how long we should be praying for
What will we learn from history?
Reflecting on Charlottesville, Mary Taylor says it vital we study how the Bible holds up a light to current events
Diary of a Baptist minister 
As part of his sabbatical, Anthony Crawford took part in Mission to Wales. This is what happened
Justice: challenging our perspective 
Churches need to raise their game to tackle the injustices that afflict our society, writes a Baptist minister
The fool, the hot-head and the peace-maker   
There is much to learn from the Old Testament, as the 1 Samuel story involving Nabal, David, and Abigail shows
Left to their own devices?
Exploring the impact of the digital world on teenagers and younger children - and our response as parents
'Spiritual but not religious'
A pastor's response to the latest British Social Attitudes survey, which stated half UK now "non-religious"
Faith, doubt... and a phoenix rising
'Like some bell curve of Christian faith, I feel I’m on the downward drop. And you know what? I’m loving it'
Open hands - and a generous heart 
Baptist minister Ifor Williams has written a much-praised book on giving. He explains how it came about
I was in prison and you visited me
There are a range of ways Christians can support prisoners and the Prison Service
The Reformation - and the DoP
A Baptist minister revisits the Declaration of Principle (DoP) through the prism of the Reformation
Working with our primary schools
The primary school is a place where community really meets - and where Christians can serve with integrity
Living in different worlds
It is hard to communicate how chaotic and vulnerable lives can be. How do we respond to the world of the broken?
Are you decaying nicely? 
Ageing means our bodies are not what they were, but here's why we mustn't lose heart, writes a Baptist minister
How the Reformation changed the Church  
The Reformation was a wonderful gift from God - but we should acknowledge where the Reformers went wrong too
The Apology - Ten Years On
Justice Enabler Wale Hudson-Roberts reflects on the time since this historic resolution was agreed by our Council
What of the Children of Calais?
What of the children of Calais? I tell you that tonight these children sleep in woods, on slag heaps, in industrial zones.
Would Jesus drive a diesel?
Or more relevantly, should we be concerned about our modes of transport and the source of our energy consumption?
A new method of dialogue  
Interfaith discussions and studies are fine - but are we asking the right questions? By Alec Gilmore
Sleepy Pope awakens radio opportunity  
The Pope admitting to falling asleep when he prays led to the BBC calling a Baptist minister for a series of radio interviews
MLK: 'Radical Christian peacemaker'       
It's the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's visit to Newcastle University - here's how to honour his legacy
Let’s keep that fragrance rising to God
As a dyed-in-the-wool, evangelical Baptist, I don’t care much for incense. But then I read Revelation
Heart to Heart Listening   
What it needs, and the impact it can have: a reflection on the art and the importance of listening well
The Paradise Papers - and slavery
Our complicity in a global financial system relentlessly in favour of the rich while exploiting the poor
When faith gives way to sight 
Do we really believe that one day we will see Jesus? An invitation to ponder one of the richest verses in the Bible
Three lessons to learn from 2017  
It didn’t have the same shock value as last year, but 2017 still had its share of defining events. Here are just three
Don't forget the angels this Christmas
We live in a world more convinced of fairies, yet angels are everywhere, including the heart of the Christmas story
Can we really say Happy Christmas?
There are many grim stories from around the world - but the Christmas story is essentially about putting it right
Most popular reflections 2017
A story-telling way with evangelism and the impact of the digital world were among the most read opinion pieces
3 (more) lessons to take from 2017
Reformation, disasters and terror: some more defining events of 2017 – and what they mean for Christians
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