Robert Harris returns to Books Of The Year to discuss his new novel, 'Precipice', with Simon and Matt. A new Robert Harris novel is always a big moment - and once again, he hasn't let us down! They chat about the extraordinary letters that were sent from Prime Minister H.H. Asquith to the woman he was besotted with, Venetia Stanley, and how that re…

Christians are tempted in every age to compromise. One age might be tempted to self-reliance, another to complacency, another to immorality, but every age has its temptations. Our day is no exception. As long as you live in this world, temptations and trials are bound to come. When the immorality of the present age and the power of the state combin…

The Gospel of John is the gospel written by a friend. John was someone who walked with Jesus, knew him, ate with him, saw the miracles. There are details in the gospel of John not seen anywhere else, as well as a more intimate, personal look at Jesus. In John 13:21–38 we see, from his friend, the love of Christ on display, even framed by the betray…

Ben Macintyre returns to Books Of The Year and answers questions about his craft, research, favourite books and authors. He tells us who he would invited to his fantasy dinner party, and gives us some great book recommendations too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesAutor: Ora Et Labora

In John chapter 13, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, demonstrating that Jesus comes as a servant and calls those who follow him to serve. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this astonishing passage, teaching us to serve, not from a place of insecurity, but of confidence, not just our friends, but our enemies, and not as something optio…

Ben Macintyre joins us again to discuss his brilliant new book 'The Siege' Simon and Matt chat to him about the incredible research and interviews he undertook to write the account of this incredible historic event. They delve into who carried out The Siege and what the people wanted, and how Ben managed to get so much access to the first hand acco…

If we have believed in Christ, and been united to Christ, and died with Christ, and been raised with Christ, what does it look to walk with Christ in a world that does not know him? Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Colossians 4:2–6, teaching us to prayerfully cling to the gospel, pray for the work of the gospel, and make the most of every o…

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams welcome music journalist and author David Hepworth to the studio, to find out about his favourite authors and books and get a sense of his reading habits. You'll probably be as surprised as us to discover that he only reads standing up! There's also a surprise question from broadcasting legend, Bob Harris, and we find o…

What story are you living? We are all in the middle of a story. It’s the story of redemption, the story of grace, the story of Jesus. And it’s his story, not ours. We didn’t make it up, it’s not fantasy, and the ending is already set—but it’s a story all the same. It has a beginning, middle, and end, a sovereign narrator, narrative tension, a hero,…

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams welcome music journalist David Hepworth to the studio. His new book - Hope I Get Old Before I Die - looks at how enduring rock icons like Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen and many more have remained in the ever changing music game. They discuss Mick Jagger, Elton John, Paul McCartney and many other rock icons, and just how…

What are we doing here? That’s a question that can be answered in a variety of ways, but to put it broadly: what are we, Christians, doing here in the world? What is our role in God’s work in our day-to-day lives? And how is God calling you to join him in what the is doing in and through you? Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Matthew 5:14–16…

Ragnar Jonasson is a veracious reader and prolific writer. In this Q&A episode, he talks about his writing processes, his favourite authors and how he orders his bookshelves. We also hear from fellow author Vaseem Khan, who poses a question to Ragnar, and discover who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi…

What does God have to say about civil government? There are many different types of governing authorities today: monarchies, democracies, communist dictatorships. Do the same basic Biblical principles apply to each form of government? Do some apply better than others? What is a Christian’s role as a member of a modern civil society?To answer these …

Ora et labora is a Latin phrase with origins in Christian monastic communities. It was a maxim of monks and nuns throughout the history of the church that captured what they thought the Christian life was all about: prayer and work. And there certainly is an integral connection between our prayer and our work. Listen as RUF Campus Minister Ethan Br…

Ragnar Jonasson joins Simon and Matt to discuss his latest novel, 'Death At The Sanitorium' They talk about the influence of Agatha Christie, the Icelandic way of life and how he keeps so many stories in his head at one time. Remember you can get in touch with us any time - to let us know what you're reading, books you have loved (or not) recently …

Do you believe that God can bring change into your life? Christians often struggle with sin and weakness, wondering if things will ever get better, often tempted to believe they won’t. But the good news for these weary believers is that Christ came (in part) to change us. And he has given us everything we need to that end. But how does it happen? L…

Former journalist turned author, Chris Brookmyre, joins Simon and Matt for a spot of Q&A. They ask him about the last book he really really enjoyed, whether there's a book or plot her wished he'd written, and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

What gets you out of bed in the morning? In order to get moving, something has to grip your heart. Maybe it’s a new job, a new goal, that first cup of coffee. In Habakkuk 2, we find a better source of hope, of strength, of power to grip your heart. To move you. To get you out of bed. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of …

Chris Brookmyre joins Simon and Matt to chat about his latest novel. You may have heard Mark Billingham on one of our previous Q&A episodes rave about The Cracked Mirror? Well, he did such a good job - we read it, and loved it too! So we had to have Chris on! The idea for the book came from a discussion with his Editor, who was looking for a meta c…

How do you finish well? What does that even look like? Do we measure it by achieved goals? Or by the legacies we leave? Scores of people who have achieved their goals remain unsatisfied, and even once-great legacies can change when viewed through the ever-shifting lenses of time and culture. And all people, no matter how successful, reach the same …

Chris Whitaker joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for the Q&A episode. He discusses the last book he really REALLy enjoyed reading, his writing routine and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party. Also, in an exclusive, he reveals us what his next book is about and what we can expect! Author of The List Of Suspicious Things, Jennie Godfrey, sur…

Church elder Daniel Thies preaches on Psalm 130, showing how this text reveals the depths of our sin, the source of our righteousness, and the certainty of our hope.Part of a mini sermon series: Songs of Ascent.From Sunday Evening Worship, August 11, 2024.allsoulspca.orgAutor: Daniel Thies

Listen as church elder Brian Aldridge preaches on 1 Peter 5:1–5, drawing our attention to four points: fellow shepherds (verse 1), willing shepherds (verses 2–3), victorious shepherds (verse 4), and responsive sheep (verse 5).Part of a series on 1 Peter.From Sunday Worship, August 11, 2024.allsoulspca.org…

Novelist Chris Whitaker joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new book, All The Colours Of The Dark. Chris worked in the City for many years as a trader, before quitting to write. He talks openly about a traumatic incident which turned him on to writing, as well as how long it takes him to write each novel. (if you're thinking about writing, do…

Have you ever had a hard week? Or a hard month? Or year? Or decade? The thing about hardship is that when those weeks get harder and time goes on, you can grow weary or despairing, crying out “How long?” The book of 1 Peter is written to sojourners who are suffering. They are facing trials and they will face more trials. They are in Christ, childre…

Comedian and writer David Baddiel shares some of his writing processes and reading traits that he is not a fan of. He also tells us the book he has really enjoyed reading recently and who we would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesAutor: Ora Et Labora

Jesus is coming back soon. Are you ready? What does it mean to be ready? In the book of 1 Peter, the apostle Peter gives us some answers as to what it looks like to be prepared for Jesus’ return. Writing to suffering Christians, exiled from their homes, Peter reminds these believers that the end of all things is at hand and commands them, in the mi…

David Baddiel joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new non-fiction book, 'My Family: The Memoir' He discusses his relationship with his mum and dad, some of the hilarious anecdotes from his childhood that appear in the book and the love that he has for both his parents, despite their quirks and faults. His family life growing up was complicate…

Feeling like an outsider is a strange and uncomfortable thing. You can feel like an outsider anywhere, be it in church, at your job, with your family. In the book of 1 Peter, Peter refers to Christians as sojourners. We, as Christians, are ones who are on the outside looking in. We are in the world, but not of it. 1 Peter 4:1–6 begins a culmination…

Mark Billingham joins Simon and Matt in the studio to chat about some of his favourite authors, writing processes and research. We surprise him with a question from fellow author and fan, Abir Mukherjee, and also find out which authors he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Writing of Psalm 127 Derek Kidner says, “One of the most telling features of this short poem is that it singles out three of our most universal preoccupations — building, security, raising a family — and makes us ask what they all amount to and to whom we owe them.” Rather than looking at the psalm according to these three common preoccupations, ch…

Martin Luther once referred to a particular portion of 1 Peter 3 as “a wonderful text...and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the New Testament.” Listen as RUF campus minister Ethan Brown preaches on 1 Peter 3:18–22, helping us to grow in our understanding of this difficult passage and to experience more deeply the good news about Je…

Mark Billingham joins Simon and Matt in the studio for a chat about his new character, Detective Miller. They discuss the fine line between comedy and crime, why Mark chose Blackpool as the setting for his new series and why you should always come back to an idea. We also try to find out what advice he gave Richard Osman, before he became an author…

In 1 Peter 3, the apostle Peter moves from a focus on the inward lives of believers and the way believers interact within specific relationships, to an outward focus on how we as Christians should engage with our community and those around us. We are to be a righteous community, not because of anything we have done, but because of who we are. Liste…

RUF campus minister Ethan Brown preaches on 1 Peter 3:1–7, showing us the beauty of powerful submission and gentle headship within a gospel-shaped marriage.Part of a series on 1 Peter.From Sunday Worship, June 30, 2024.allsoulspca.orgAutor: Ethan Brown

Pastor Josué Pernillo preaches on 1 Peter 2:13–25, showing that the freedom we need is freedom in Christ; that we are freed from the bondage of sin; and that we are free to serve others.Part of a series on 1 Peter.From Sunday Worship, June 23, 2024.allsoulspca.orgAutor: Josué Pernillo

Bestselling novelist and journalist, Andrew O'Hagan, tells us about the last book he REALLY enjoyed reading, as well as revealing some insights into his writing processes. He also answers a question from our special guest, Monica Ali, and reveals who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a…

Guest speaker Aaron Chun continues our summer series on 1 Peter, preaching from 1 Peter 2:4–12 with three points: Offer Spiritual Sacrifices, Proclaim His Excellencies, and Live a Life of Holiness.Part of a series on 1 Peter.From Sunday Worship, June 16, 2024.allsoulspca.orgAutor: Aaron Chun

Bestselling author and journalist, Andrew O'Hagan, joins Simon and Matt to discuss his latest novel, Calendonian Road. They talk about the inspiration behind the book, the ever-changing landscape of British politics and pandemics and why it took a decade to write. Andrew also gives us an insight into the creation of some of his characters, and tell…

Church elder Scott Morrison kicks off a new evening service summer series on some of the Songs of Ascent, preaching on Psalm 121, addressing the questions: Who helps you? Who keeps you? And who protects you?Part of a series: Songs of Ascent.From Sunday Evening Worship, June 9, 2024.allsoulspca.orgAutor: Scott Morrison

What happens if you think you know where you’re going, but then you discover that you don’t know how to get there? That’s hard enough when traveling on the road, but what happens when it occurs in life? What do you do when deep sorrows or unexpected circumstances overwhelm you, and you thought you were going the right direction but suddenly find yo…

Bestselling crime writer, Abir Mukherjee, discusses his favourite authors, books, and tells us about his writing processes. He talks about working to deadlines (or not), how he orders his bookshelves and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Ruling Elder David Thies continues our 1 Peter series with a sermon on 1 Peter 1:13–25, addressing three questions: “What action?”, “Why the action?”, and “How the action?”Part of a series on 1 Peter.From Sunday Worship, June 2, 2024.allsoulspca.orgAutor: David Thies

Crime writer Abir Mukherjee joins Simon and Matt to discuss his new novel, Hunted. Abir is known for his Wyndham and Banerjee series, set in 1920s India, however this book is his first stand alone. They chat about the importance of writing something contemporary, the issues that he wanted to tackle and why it has taken so long to finish. Here's a l…

Why is it that long trips are so tiring? Even with the advances and efficiency of modern travel, there is still a basic weariness that can come from a long journey, a long drive, a long flight. Similarly, there is a weariness that can come from facing weeks, months, or even years of troubles and difficulties in life. How can we endure? In the book …

Bestselling author and screenwriter, David Nicholls, chats to Simon and Matt about his writing processes, what he's reading at the moment and some of his favourite authors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesAutor: Ora Et Labora

Pastor Josué Pernillo introduces us to our new study on 1 Peter, focusing on 1 Peter 1:1–2 and covering four main points:• Who are we? God’s people.• How are we the people of God? By the power of God.• Where are we? In the world and not of it.• What is our strength? The people of God are blessed.Part of a series on 1 Peter.From Sunday Worship, May …

A new David Nicholls books is always an exciting event, and his new novel, You Are Here, does not disappoint. He joins Simon and Matt for a chat about the writing process, creating his characters, the latest adaptation of One Day and how he came to the music choices in this new novel. They also discuss the influence and importance of the pandemic o…

Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Ephesians 6:18–20, teaching us that we fight through prayer, in the Spirit, for the progress of the gospel.Part of a series, Dress for Battle.From Sunday Evening Worship, May 12, 2024.allsoulspca.orgAutor: Luke Herche

Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Revelation 21:1–8, discussing hope:• When do we need it? Our present distress & unbelief.• What does it look like? The beauty of what is to come.• Why is it sure? The certainty of what is to come.• How do we get there? Setting your hope on what is to come.From Sunday Worship, May 12, 2024.allsoulspca.org…