Tuesday, 16 December 2025

 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group)   
The Cost of Being a Real Christian by J.C. Ryle
It costs something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are enemies to be overcome, battles to be fought, sacrifices to be made, an Egypt to be forsaken, a wilderness to be passed through, a cross to be carried, a race to be run. Conversion is not putting a person in an arm-chair and taking them easily to heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory. 
The battle is primarily against the sin that afflicts our own hearts (and Jesus has the victory). ATM I see many people (hence this comment, it's not intended as an argument with you Iyete) who seem to think that the definition of being a Christian is to battle Islam, but (whilst there are certainly things about Islam to be deeply concerned about) this is not what Christianity ultimately is. Jesus calls us to repent and follow Him, engaging in *conflict* with others was not the example He set. For us, leaving Egypt means freedom from sin that had enslaved us, in contrast to defeating a government or people group as some people seem to be focussed on. 
 
 
Whilst Charles indeed identifies as "defender of faith" rather than of "the faith", Jesus stated that He Himself is The Way, The Truth and The Life. But “Tommy Robinson” is much mistaken in implying that one is enjoined to this singularity by virtue of heritage - each individual, irrespective of nationality or ethnicity, decides personally whether to repentantly turn to Christ. If Stephen Yaxley Lennon/”Tommy Robinson” deigns to do so, he’ll see that Jesus was compassionate to outsiders, not pugilistic - it was those who feigned religiosity for reputation and power faced His ire. He did not call us to a culture war.
Christ has not been extracted from Christmas by migration, and ultimately Christianity itself migrated into Britain from the Middle East. As Christians, we are implored to have humility, not national pride. 
 
 
Whilst, as Richard Harries asserts, Christianity has fundamentally shaped our culture and values, “Tommy Robinson” is mistaken in his quest to “reclaim and celebrate our heritage, culture and Christian identity”. Jesus rebuked those who took pride in their heritage and thought it salvific (Matthew 3:9); in actuality Christian identity entails personal resolution to repentantly follow Christ, it cannot be inherited nor imposed. Our flag bears a cross ultimately because St George legendarily commemorated Jesus’ crucifixion - a peaceful Middle Eastern man barbarically slaughtered at the hands of white Europeans as He metaphysically bore the sin of all of us. Christianity is not ultimately to denigrate other cultures, but to be filled with humility as one turns to Jesus, with cognizance that the primary problem for humanity is not a solely external force but is sin, which pervades our hearts also. Were it not for the migration of Christianity into Britain from the Middle East, our festive carols would be devoid of the hope of salvation that the baby grew up to offer each of us.
 
 
Melanie Phillips asserts that “Donald Trump is calling for Europe to save itself”, referring to “Christian civilisation”, yet fundamental to Christianity is that we cannot save ourselves. Rather than delusions of national (or other) superiority, or the misconception that humanity’s problems are external (to be kept out by stopping boats), Christianity is to have humility and gratitude, in the knowledge of what Christ has done. He died for all, because the problems of humanity are not foreign, sin afflict each heart.
Trump, and his success, epitomise the fall of Christian Western civilisation, demonstrative of the abandonment of values which facilitated its development. In the West, Christ’s teachings have been replaced by consumerism, as exemplified by allusions to selfishness esteemed as morally upright. Trump enthusiastically defies prohibitions on greed, boastfulness, slander and sexual incontinence. Which “principles” is he mitigating the erosion of? 
 
 
Though I've no personal connection to Africa, I'm grateful for your coverage of the plight of persecution victims in Nigeria - in contrast to the comparative silence of most media. It was unsettling, several weeks ago, hearing the BBC credulously regurgitating the Nigerian government's denial. Observing similar denials from some of my fellow Lefties has rendered me suspicious that resentment of Trump's cynical exploitation of antiChristian persecution leads to a refusal to listen to, ironically, less powerful voices within Nigeria than its politicians. As the writers of the letter you published (6th of December) testify, Boko Haram wishes to annihilate Christians, and those who believe that Black Lives Matter should care. 
In this season, we remember the Advent of He who implored Peace on Earth - but who also was so hated that Herod carried out mass murder. Jesus' message spread and survived millennia, because in spite of persecution by Romans, His followers had witnessed the Hope that Christmas carols speak of. At this time of year, we espouse goodwill, and charity for the vulnerable - this should not be confined to our borders. 
 
 
This is how to take on Tommy Robinson at Christmas  
Jesus was specifically referring to people from elsewhere when He implored us to love our neighbour.
And those who feel entitled or superior on the basis of their heritage have wholly missed the point of The Gospel. You cannot fix a society by keeping people from elsewhere out, because the problem with society is sin and that's an issue for *our own* hearts too. If a person is truly following Jesus, then in addition to wanting to adhere to His teachings about compassion, they'll have humility and gratitude in the knowledge of what Christ has done by dying in our place - rather than delusions of national superiority.
Tommy Robinson should read the Bible and check out, for instance, Jesus' reprimanding people for being proud of their heritage.
  
 
Truly following Jesus will render one aware that the problem with humanity is not ultimately Islam etc (as much as there are things to criticise about that) but sin, which pervades our own hearts also. TR lacks not only the compassion for those from elsewhere that Jesus calls us to, but also the humility that surrendering to Him precipitates. 
yeah but what do you mean by sin? You can't rely on the Bible to provide a moral code ....basically it's just made up ! 
Where do you get your moral code from? 
I am a utilitarian and a liberal I am against repressing people who are different to me .....ie like gay people or transgendered ....I suppose it comes from my genetics and environment I've been brought up in 
I'm generally utilitarian too - but how do you know that you genetics and environment are morally correct?
No, I'm not American, nor would I identify as "religious"
 
 
Meghan Trainor has created a supposed Christmas song that encapsulates well the fundamental shift in the West's values that perpetually crosses my mind. She's proud that she's buying gifts for herself, in spite of already having "everything" (and boasting of her material wealth).
Whereas our culture previously deemed it good to eschew materialism and egotism, these are now celebrated as though virtuous - and they are closely entwined, in that commercial messaging that we're submerged in has manipulated us into thinking that we should *spoil* ourselves. Corporations profit from conning us into feeling that the right thing to do is to indulge ourselves. "Because you're worth it". The shifting ideology borne of this religion of capitalism pervades innumerable societal problems.
It's all the more galling at CHRISTmas, when we could instead be reflecting upon He who did the very opposite, relinquishing the ultimate luxury of Heaven to be born in an animal shelter.
 
 
Pope Leo XIV is infuriating MAGA Catholics 
Indeed, Jesus opposed the selfishness that MAGA demonstrates RE wealth and migration - but additionally, He taught that we each need to repent, that He offers us salvation (rather than it being connected to nationality or achievement), Trump demonstrates an attitude entirely opposed to the humility that following Jesus precipitates 
 
 
"Christian nationalism" is an oxymoron. Genuinely seeking to follow Christ will lead someone to be humble, and recognise that the problem in our world is sin - including our own - the problem in our world is not simply a foreign force as nationalists imagine. Also, nationalism is idolatry. 
 
 
Rob Reiner made a film on how politicians misappropriate "religion" for power, and Trump has proven the point. Jesus was arguing with those doing similarly back in His own time.
At Charlie Kirk's funeral, Erika Kirk talked about forgiveness for one's opponents - with yesterday's comments, Trump has demonstrated, yet again, that he's the antithesis of Christianity.
 
 
Because of our country's Christian heritage, it used to be believed that it's good to sacrificially exert oneself for those in need (such as the sick), now our culture implores people to instead seek as much as possible for oneself. 
 
 
It's certainly true that people miss the point of Christianity when they imagine that Jesus only came to preach social justice - but I do see a lack of understanding of The Gospel from "Tommy Robinson" and his acolytes also. Truly following Jesus will render one aware that the problem with humanity is not ultimately Islam etc (as much as there is to criticise about that) but sin, which pervades our own hearts also. TR lacks not only the compassion for those from elsewhere that Jesus calls us to, but also the humility that surrendering to Him precipitates. 
did you watch any of the service? 
I've seen a few clips of singing, but how would this nullify what he's written? 
um, it is called 'repentance'...? 
I'd not seen him express repentance(?) Nor any evidence of it or change. Kudos to him for mentioning his sin on stage in that clip, but is he actually seeking to turn away from it? It looks, from his tweets, like he's only interested in bemoaning others.
Checking his feed again earlier today and spotting the attached (sorry, the picture quality seems to have failed)- he seems either dangerously confused or dangerously disingenuous. He's trying to flaunt support for Jewish people (frankly via an unhelpfully pugilistic retweet) whilst seemingly supporting a notorious antisemite, and Putin. His other tweets are littered with racism (not only disdain for Islam). Where are the Fruits of the Spirit? He claims he's putting Christ back into Christmas, but I can't see proclamation of Him amongst TR's many tweets, only insults.
I know I'm probably being too cynical, and I don't doubt that he could be heading in the right direction - but given that we're commanded to love our enemies and to b careful with our words, I can't help feeling that his current rhetoric online suggests that he really shouldn't be in a place of leadership ATM
 
 
Such a horrifying attack. Hugest condolences to all affected. At this time of year many celebrate a *Jewish* baby who came to be Prince of Peace - yet some other ideologies imagine that they attain victory or paradise by enacting violence 
It was one of the followers of the same ideology who overpowered the shooter 
"the same ideology"? So you lump together violent terrorist extremists and decent peaceful Muslims? 
 
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group)  
My 9 year old came home from school today saying her class was taught that there are three genders - male, female, and transgender. I personally think it is far too young to be introducing this dangerous ideology. And to be honest I'm just sad my daughter is being exposed to this, and also learning about sexuality, when she is just a child.
How do I gently explain to her that trans ideology is not biblical, whilst also preaching tolerance and kindness towards the people who follow it
This is fundamental to The Gospel - human beings can be wrong yet still loved. If God can love us so much - when we're so wrong as to sin - that Jesus died for us, we can have neighbourly love and empathy for trans folk whilst disagreeing with them about sex/gender/transition. 
It's also crucial to learn that all of us can have feelings that aren't necessarily aligned with reality or with what's best for us - if a person who's biologically female but feels as though they're a boy, or vice versa, that doesn't mean that the feelings are correct or that medical intervention is caring, but we should also have the humility to recognise that we too can sometimes be mistaken about things. Sometimes you don't let your daughter have everything she might feel that she wants, and God doesn't give us everything that we feel we want - but that's because of parental love and wisdom. That our society presumes a person who feels they want to transition should be enabled to is not loving or wise.
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group)   
Black Friday isn't particularly great - the important offer is that from Jesus who came to save us more than any price reductions.
But now it's Giving Tuesday, which makes far more sense.
We're still surrounded by adverts and other media trying to manipulate us into feeling that we're obliged to spend excessively on shopping from corporations - but God calls us to steward our resources wisely and help the disadvantaged. Did you know that there are many gift options (that is, all sorts of presents, inc books, handmade items etc) available from charities? Highstreet charity shops are awesome - but there are also now many items listed for charity on ebay as well as online charity shops (including many brand new items). On ebay, the left hand sidebar that allows filtering of search results includes "more filters" - click on which brings up a white box, where choosing "show only" allows one to tick a box for items which benefit charity (NB buying 2nd hand items - plenty of which are unused FTR, also mitigates the impact on our environment). I find it helpful to search for multiple items at once, bookmark the results page and revisit it.
The websites of The Leprosy Mission Great Britain (which is Christian), Oxfam Great Britain, FARA, Barnado's, Save The Children, Cancer Research UK, UNICEF, Woodland Trust, Mother's Union, Marie Curie, Premier Christian Marketplace and others have potential Christmas gifts in their online shops - so some of our Christmas present buying expenditure could contribute to supporting those in need (of course, there are also Christmas cards, wrapping paper and decorations for sale from charities).
It's also a great time of year to donate to charities - there are opportunities to have some donations doubled, such as via The Big Give https://donate.biggive.org/christmas-challenge-2025
On the Sunday before last, at the end of the evening online Church service run by Gisele Sterrett (which I highly recommend!), a participant in Uganda spoke about celebrating Christmas there. It's so great to be reminded of Christmas outside of our Western culture, where we're surrounded by advertising imploring us to buy labish new release/trending items. We could be joyous simply to have a few simple gifts and a range of food - and more thrilled still about real gift of CHRISTmas.
And to clarify, when I reference a range of food, we don't need all of the traditional items or for the table to look like an advert - in Uganda they are grateful simply to have meat available at Christmas, as they often don't. 
There is nothing wrong with sales. I grew up in a house where my mum shopped all year round for savings for birthdays and Christmas. Many people rely on sales. I stock essentials from discount stores and sales like black Friday.
The whole concept of Christmas gifts means we both give and receive. Kids get involved in gift giving, whether hand made or bought, thinking what people want etc as well as receiving.
Most churches and schools do collections for food banks, for charities etc in various ways.
But Christmas isn't just about giving and receiving gifts, it's also about thinking how we treat people in general. Hope, peace, joy and love. A time of forgiveness and redemption. 
What do you think my point was? You seem angry, and I'm not sure what you're accusing me of trying to say. Why would I be opposed to price reductions? I'm an extreme cheapskate, unless I'm buying gifts or from charities I only buy things when they're significantly reduced in price. We should buy things at reduced price rather than full so that we have more money to donate. Black Friday is not simply a sale - the vast majority of items in Black Friday events are cheaper at other times of the year - Black Friday is a marketing gimmick solely designed to get people to buy things that they otherwise might not have. Obviously plenty of people, such as yourself, might use it only to get things which you need (and I merely said that it's not particularly great, I didn't demonise people buying things), but broadly speaking it's a facet of consumerism having become a bigger focus than Christ at Christmas.
What point are you trying to make, in response to mine, when you refer to giving and receiving, and food banks?
My point was that since most of us are buying gifts, it's good to know that we can sometimes get some of them via charities instead of corporations, so causes can be helped with some of the money we're going to spend. I'm not sure why you've found that objectionable(?)
And I certainly didn't suggest that people shouldn't make recurring donations to charities, why have you suggested that I did? My point RE donations was to let people know that right now there are opportunities to have donations doubled, so that for each £ a person gives, a charity can receive £2 thanks to philanthropists. Charities absolutely do want/need/expect to receive extra donations at this time of year.
Since you mention cards - though this is whataboutism - their environmental impact is miniscule by comparison (and they're typically easy to recycle) 
 
 
Urgh, they really need to stop misusing the Cross.
Jesus died on the Cross (NB, a peaceful middle Eastern man slaughtered at the hands of white Europeans) because of human sin, which exists in all of our hearts, the problems of humanity are not foreign.
 
 
That would depend on whether they're thoughtfully pointing people towards The Gospel, or just shouting.
What matters is not merely that we speak truth, but that others hear The Truth - because of listeners' prior experiences, they may misinterpret us if we don't give careful thought to how exactly we convey the message. We're told in Scripture to use our words wisely. It is absolutely vital that people hear about Jesus, but we should be seeking His wisdom in all of our efforts.
I have, for instance, seen a street preacher whose placard decries evolution - even whilst there are questions to be asked about Darwinism, such placards deter onlookers from taking Christianity seriously and don't nudge anyone to contemplate Christ.
 
 
Absolutely. Genuine Christianity means choosing to repent of one's sin and turn to Christ - which renders us humble and eager to emulate His example. It's not about thinking oneself superior and in a civilisational war.
 
 
I understand that your Dad was a toolmaker. Such workmanship is fundamental to creating so many of the things that we see around us. In studying science, I came to feel that - particularly because of the interdependence of molecular systems - there must also be a mind who has made the far more complex things that we observe around us in the natural world. Thus I was led to become a theist; I understand that you're an Atheist, and certainly don't wish to seem to be disrespecting your belief - rather, I'm curious as to what has led you to your beliefs(?)
Separately, in the last year I've heard him rightly decry the horrors facing victims of war in Ukraine, and relative poverty facing son children in Britain. Why has he cut Aid to other victims of conflict (such as that in Sudan) and to more severely impoverished children in our world (for whom each £ can make far more impact than it can here)?
 
 
Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband no longer called ‘chocolate’ after recipe change 
I'm SO frustrated that it's this which our media obsesses over, rather than shining light on the exploitation of cocoa labourers. Corporations are getting away with horrifically endangering and underpaying workers who make our chocolate possible, even child slavery is involved. If the media moaned about this, the pressure on corporations could influence change - but instead they talk only about trivia.
PS - Fairtrade Foundation is worth signing up to for petitions
 
 
Why guilt? If kids get everything they want, it's harder for them to appreciate things.
There are children elsewhere in our world who have nothing, and we can give to them via charities like Operation Christmas Child UK - doing so also helps us to feel more joy in what we have
 

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