Irene Lancaster

Have Christians got Jeremiah 29:11 all wrong?
Have Christians got Jeremiah 29:11 all wrong?

Jeremiah 29:11 has become the most popular verse on social media, according to a recent analysis.

Elijah and the prophets of Baal: A lesson in doing the right thing
Elijah and the prophets of Baal: A lesson in doing the right thing

'How long will you skip between two stools'? Elijah asks. 'Make up your mind: come to a decision.'

New beginnings: A sermon on Exodus 15-17
New beginnings: A sermon on Exodus 15-17

As in Isaiah, in Genesis 1 and the following verses depicting the creation, the whole mood is one of anticipation. In order to allow Israel as a body to act, G-d constantly restrains her physically.

10th anniversary celebrations are a tribute to Jewish-Christian dialogue
10th anniversary celebrations are a tribute to Jewish-Christian dialogue

The Broughton Park Jewish Christian Dialogue Group of Salford, Greater Manchester, met to celebrate its 10th anniversary in a reunion which included members both past and present from all parts of the country.

'God meant it for good': A Jewish reading of Joseph's story
'God meant it for good': A Jewish reading of Joseph's story

At the end of the book of Genesis Joseph reassures his brothers that he does not bear them a grudge for their horrific treatment of him when they were all younger.

80 years after Kristallnacht: Why Jews keep the 'commandments'
80 years after Kristallnacht: Why Jews keep the 'commandments'

Even nowadays, some mitzvot can only be carried out in the Land of Israel, but that still leaves Jews in the Diaspora with a few hundred mitzvot that we should carry out daily.

Noah and Abraham: Keeping the faith and breaking the rules
Noah and Abraham: Keeping the faith and breaking the rules

Why does the Bible say (Genesis 6:9): 'Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. With G-d walked Noah'?

'And G-d saw that it was good': In a world defined by science, what does creation mean?
'And G-d saw that it was good': In a world defined by science, what does creation mean?

Whatever the counter-arguments by the world's thinkers, as a swimmer and music-maker Mandy knew that the key to life is immersion.

At the turn of the year, Jews return to G-d
At the turn of the year, Jews return to G-d

Last week, on Rosh Hashana (the Head or Beginning of the Year), we were inscribed in G-d's book and beginning on Tuesday evening, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, our fate will be sealed.

Review: Morality in the 21st Century is about learning to love our neighbours
Review: Morality in the 21st Century is about learning to love our neighbours

The series motto so far could be 'only when I learn how to properly love myself, will I be able to properly love you in a way from which society at large will benefit'. And for this, the Bible, it seems to me is still the key.

Isaiah and Adam Smith: What the Hebrew prophet tells us about nationhood
Isaiah and Adam Smith: What the Hebrew prophet tells us about nationhood

Isaiah's wonderful chapter 60, to be read in Shul on Shabbat, must be one of the most famous and beloved biblical passages ever.

True repentance: Slow, costly and sometimes impossible
True repentance: Slow, costly and sometimes impossible

The Jewish community is currently in the penitential month of Elul, when we recite Selichot, asking G-d for forgiveness.

God's glue: How the Bible teaches us to repair the world
God's glue: How the Bible teaches us to repair the world

What does 'utter adherence' mean exactly for daily life in Britain in 2018?

It takes a lot to unite Britain's Jews, but Labour's stance on antisemitism has succeeded
It takes a lot to unite Britain's Jews, but Labour's stance on antisemitism has succeeded

Yesterday's Guardian newspaper features a letter signed jointly by the entire spectrum of British rabbis, 68 in all, from the strictest ultra-Orthodox to Liberal and Reform.

'I come to praise and not to curse': Prince William's visit to Israel and how to be a pilgrim

In Hebrew, only one Hebrew letter separates the pilgrim from the spy. It takes such a small step to go either way and to end up cursing rather than blessing.

'Theodicy Beyond the Death of God': Church decline and the 'evangelistic impatience'
'Theodicy Beyond the Death of God': Church decline and the 'evangelistic impatience'

Dr Irene Lancaster reviews Andrew Shanks' latest book, 'Theodicy Beyond the Death of "God": The Persisting Problem of Evil'