Gelical Rags

I have subscribed to three evangelical newspapers over the past few years. I don’t really have time to read them properly; they tend to pile up till their news is all out of date. Still, they each offer insight and comment on spiritual life and the world through which we pass. I considered each in turn and become a little tongue-in-cheek towards the end.

Evangelicals Now probably has the largest readership, which I suspect is generally middle class and often Anglican. A typical reader probably attended university and looks forward to Word Alive each year. It may be seen as less dogmatic compared to the two below, but it is still soundly conservative in its theology and its editor, John Benton, has written a helpful commentary on Jude from which I drew whilst preaching through that book. It’s a good paper, and its book reviews are fair and honest. There’s some good devotional articles. Its website is here: https://www.e-n.org.uk/2019/10/uk-news/ .

The Evangelical Times has a slightly smaller readership and strikes me as little more strait-laced and nonconformist in its churchmanship. Its articles are solid and sound, and ‘good’ churches like to advertise in its June edition allowing sound believers to find a ‘holiday church’. It’s probably a little more reformed than its competitor above. It was founded by Dr Masters of London’s Met Tab and its current editor is Mike Judge, formerly of the Christian Institute. This may account for its increased emphasis on social decline. Regular contributors include Pastor Stephen Rees of Southport who thoroughly addresses important aspects of church life, and Ben Wilkerson, a former member of Sheffield’s Presbyterian Church whose Letter from America offers insight from across the pond on the challenges affecting our cousins. One of its rather recent articles was charmingly titled: Hitchin outreach week centres on preaching rather than social events’. Its website is here:https://www.evangelical-times.org/ 

The third is the British Church Newspaper, which is probably more ‘fundamentalist’ than the other two, and has a smaller circulation. It is sometimes a little disturbing to read, listing as it does the fortnight’s examples of moral decay. Articles showing grey-suited street preachers denouncing gay rights parades makes clear the editorial stance; it is certainly faithful to the scriptures in these days of cheap truth. Regular contributors include Ulster-based Professor Arthur Noble, who regularly writes about his loathing of the EU, NATO and America and his surprising fondess for Russia. Revd Dr Peter Mullen shakes his head and fist at the latest incidence of political correctness & ‘Gospel Evangelist’ Donald J Morisson regales readers with his exploits in stony-hearted Scotland. It is surprisingly pro-Israel for a thoroughly reformed publication, with Mike Moore offering his comments on Israeli life and politics. It is explicitly protestant and anti-papal, gleefully reporting Rome’s hypocrisy and internal squabbles. I’m particularly fond of its editor’s thoughts about a given plant each edition. He is Dr Napier Malcolm, and its website is http://www.britishchurchnewspaper.co.uk/ 

I’ve made up three fictional readers of each publication, mischievously asking them some questions. If you read one of these publications, please don’t be offended- I buy all three. 

EN attends St Phil’s, a large evangelical Anglican Church in the Home Counties. The vicar wears neither dog-collar nor tie and there’s a great children’s work. EN met his wife, Penelope, at university, before they went travelling together.

ET attends the Bethesda Reformed Free Church. The fellowship is made up of faithful reformed folk, with a mix of ages. The pastor wears a grey suit on Sundays, but sometimes take the tie off for the evening service. ET met his wife, Grace, on a Beach Mission in Wales. He currently lives in a Midlands town. 

BCN attends the Strict Presbyterian Church of Northern Ulster. Its minister is a fan of John Knox, and seeks to replicate the great man’s life, especially his style of preaching. He met his wife, Beulah, while handing out anti-papal tracts in Glasgow during the Pope’s last visit. 

Drink most enjoyed whilst reading the paper?

EN Latte, de-caf. 

ET Coffee, regular

BCN Earl Grey 

Favourite Bible Translation?

EN ESV

ET NKJ, AV

BCN The AV- there is no other translation 

Attitude to worship groups in churches?

EN They’re cool

ET Best avoided

BCN From the devil 

Favourite TV programme?

EN Newsnight

ET None of it, it’s all pretty rotten. 

BCN I threw the TV in a skip back in the 80s

Preferred Method of Evangelism

EN A film or quiz night with a talk at the end

ET A mission with a sound evangelist

BCN Preaching at a Pride march/Walsingham parade

A non-Church event or organisation of which you also attend?

EN Midlands Men’s Convention 

ET The Banner of Truth Conference

BCN Loyal Orange Order 

Raising hands in worship?

EN It’s probably ok, but a bit studenty

ET No. It draws attention to yourself.

BCN Charismatic excess. Repent. 

Favourite songs in Worship?

EN Stuart Townend, Keith Getty.

ET Christian Hymns

BCN Gadsby, Psalter. 

Hero of church history?

EN John Stott, Martyn Lloyd-Jones

ET Martyn-Lloyd Jones, John Calvin

BCN Iain Paisley, King William III, Oliver Cromwell. 

 

I’ll do three more publications another time.

Image by Michael Gaida from Pixabay