The hybrid State of Europe Forum’s theme ‘Seeking shalom’ (Paris), was addressed in three bi-lingual plenary sessions, seekingto ‘understand the times’ and ‘to know what God’s people should do’.

Today is Europe Day. For a generation, the ‘peace narrative’ meant little. For millions of new Europeans, war was not part of their story. Yet suddenly, all that changed in February.

Reconciliation and peace between Ukraine and Russia seems further away than ever. Sooner or later, only forgiveness and reconciliation could bring lasting peace.

You can tell most of them are not religious people. But now, everybody prays. They say, “We have no hope besides God”.

Russian historian Andrey Zubov: “Putin says ‘Russia wants this’ or ‘Russia demands that’. No, it’s Putin and the Kremlin making demands — not Russia or Russians”.

Putin’s messianic pretensions as saviour of Russian civilisation have deep religious and historical roots. Yet our western secular world tends to filter out religion and pre-Enlightenment history as irrelevant.

Doubts about the new (proposed) laws which cover talking therapy are being expressed from within LGB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) circles themselves.

A long-standing religious tension stretching back many centuries has contributed significantly to the current Russian build-up, largely lost on the western secularist mind.

The biography of Columbanus and Robert Schuman, is a unique contribution filling a major gap in literature on the making of Europe.

The story shows no sign of dying. Even here on the streets of Amsterdam, nativity scenes sprout in unlikely locations.

Sometimes we need to risk sticking our heads out over the parapet to look beyond our own church, organisation, neighbourhood or nation. 

Public theology informs the faith community when moving beyond personal discipleship and church life into the public square.

We need others from different backgrounds to help us think outside our own box. We need to hear what God is doing in other parts of Europe.

Europe 2021 is a document which church and mission leaders everywhere should download and study. It is an evangelical rarity.

Evangelical Christians ought to be the first to be committed to seeking truth, standing for truth and spreading truth.

Britten’s direct inspiration was the regal music called Zadok the Priest and the text is based on the opening chapter of I Kings, verses 39 & 40.

Diversity is something believers can affirm within the boundaries of God’s purposes.

British football was shaped by a movement called ‘Muscular Christianity’ encouraging the game for its social and physical benefits and to win young men for the church.

Hers is a story of sheltering Jews, of imprisonment in Nazi concentration camps, a surprise release and of her worldwide mission to spread a message of forgiveness.

What a great concept, to replace the negative associations of ‘Red Light District’ with the creation-friendly associations of ‘Green Light District’! Could this in some way be an answer to prayers for ‘God’s kingdom to come’ in Amsterdam?

Angela Merkel today is recognised as one of the world’s most successful and trusted political leaders. Why?

Exactly how religion and politics relate remains a subject of muddled thinking in evangelical circles on both sides of the Atlantic.

In his own nation, he remains a prophet without honour. In the English-speaking world, a growing following of students, scholars and pastors are discovering Abraham Kuyper as a man of ideas still vitally relevant for the challenges facing Christians the world over today.

Anti-elite parties talking about defending traditional Christian values attract believers.

Be alert for new opportunities new challenges bring, trusting in God’s sovereignty.