The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7534
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
WHILE England’s fans will be keen to put the disappointment of last Sunday’s European Championship final defeat behind them, much of the tournament will be remembered for years to come. They will recall where they were and who they were with after the semi-final victory or the win over Germany earlier in the competition. Those stories will be told long into the future – probably being added to as the years pass with even the teller eventually uncertain where the truth ends and the embellishments begin. Such apocryphal stories – tales of doubtful authenticity but believed to be true – are nothing new. Through the centuries, people have been telling stories to support their personal standing or particular point of view. In this week’s War Cry we discover the history behind some of the apocryphal stories of Jesus. Cambridge scholar Simon Gathercole has recently edited a book of what are known as the apocryphal gospels – ancient texts written about Jesus that are not included in the Bible. They can be a source for conspiracy theories and popular modern fiction, but Simon believes that they have sometimes been given more significance than they deserve. Drawing on his expert knowledge, he explains why some of these gospels may have been written and why they are not as dependable as the writings of the Bible’s New Testament. And it is the biblical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that Simon turns to in order to discover the truth about Jesus. He says that it is these Gospels that give a reliable report of ‘the historical Jesus who lived and breathed’. Through the ages, Christians have looked to the Bible to provide them with truth and inspiration. The result has been that they have encountered the living God, who the War read has transformed their lives in a way they will Cr y ’ve u never forget.
CONTENTS
Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Mal Davies Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper
INFO Your local Salvation Army centre
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Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
From the editor’s desk
When yo
What is The Salvation Army?
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FEATURES
3
Professor studies the evidence
New crime series begins on ITV
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All fired up
People warm to National BBQ Week
6 A word in your ear
Hear about World Listening Day
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Not really the gospel truth
The story behind ancient writings on
Jesus
REGULARS
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War Cry World
12 Team Talk 13 Puppy Tales
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14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: ITV