Scripture’s most humbling verse can be found in the book of Genesis: ‘For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.’(1) What better way to convey the lowliness of humans than to call them “dust”. Dust is the thing with the lowest status in all the earth’s bounty. Pointless and bothersome, dust surely signifies the nothingness of nature, the faceless, forgotten, deadness of dust that collects under the bed and coats the lightbulb. It is curious then that “nature” demand

This is a summary of recent books read by Martin Davie, compiling his evaluations and the commendations of others. This time Martin has not focused on newly published books, but on five books he has been reading recently and which he thinks are very valuable. 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity: Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World by Mark Graham An excellent popular introduction to the history of Christianity during its first thousand years

In discussions about the role of women in ministry, 1 Timothy 2:11 features prominently. And yet the first four words of this verse are often overlooked entirely. Debates may continue around the precise significance and contemporary application of verse 11b and verse 12, but Paul is absolutely clear on this first point: women should learn. Women should learn their Christian faith from whoever can teach them: older women, male pastors, parents and grandparents, brothers and si