Life

• Getting ready: A spiritual journey through Advent

  Each day in Advent, we are invited to move a little closer to the One who has, is and will come.

• In-tension-al faith: An introduction to both/and thinking

  Both/and thinking is not a life of muddy, tepid compromises, a kind of half-hearted, diet version of real faith. Quite the reverse.

• Mark's Gospel: Driving home for Christmas

  When we draw back the curtain to reveal the whole Bible story we realise Mark's account still captures the significance of the coming of Jesus.

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  People shouldn't be branded bigots for questioning transgenderism, says MSP

  An SNP leader has called for civility in the debate on transgenderism as the Scottish government weighs up radical changes to the law.

• 'Unruly' young boy charms crowd – and pope – at papal audience

  A young deaf boy took centre stage at a solemn papal audience yesterday – to his mother's horror and the pope's amusement.

• 'God with skin on': Learning to live as the body of Christ

  As for many of us, my life hasn't been particularly easy. At times there have been moments when I have felt as if God had abandoned me.

• Four apps to turbo-charge your spiritual life

  But phone time doesn't have to be unhealthy time. In fact, there are some brilliant apps out there which can be a real help to anyone serious about their Christian faith.

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  New study findings line up with Bible's account of Adam and Eve

  A "provocative and misunderstood" scientific study published this year supports the Bible's Adam and Eve story by demonstrating that all humans are descended from a common mother and father, a prominent science writer and public speaker claims.

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  First genetically edited babies born in China but some scientists say it is unethical

  Dr Kiran Musunuru, a University of Pennsylvania gene editing expert, said it was 'an experiment on human beings that is not morally or ethically defensible'

• '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.

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  Anglicans worldwide join 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence

  Anglicans around the world are joining together in the 16 Days of Activism movement against gender-based violence.

• Christmas luxuries bottom of the list as Brits head to Black Friday sales

  Half of shoppers are focused on buying Christmas gifts that people will find useful or have specifically asked for this year.

• Advent reading: The wobble at the heart of the world

  Even on our good days, our purest motivations, our kindest deeds are at best but fleeting moments, at worst tainted by disordered motivation.

• Finding my true identity: What motherhood taught me about God

  One of the hardest yet most shaping times of life has been the season of being at home with little ones.

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  Pastors should embrace the Billy Graham rule, says LifeWay president

  The head of LifeWay Christian Resources is urging pastors to adopt the Billy Graham Rule to ensure that they do not fall into moral failure.