Showing pupils a range of perspectives on Jesus from different individuals and groups will make religious education more rigorous and encourage pupils to have empathy with others, according to academics.

At a time of year when questions about Jesus’s identity are likely to arise, a new textbook is being launched to encourage more varied teaching.

It supports teachers to move beyond telling the story of the birth, life and work of Jesus and instead highlight the way he is seen by people from varied cultural, religious and academic backgrounds.

This would help students in GCSE and A-level RE lessons to investigate how Jesus is portrayed by assorted individuals and groups – including theologians, historians, feminists, the visually impaired, artists and southern African cultures.

Professor Rob Freathy, who led the team that put the textbook together, said: “There is no single, neutral and objective answer to the question ‘Who is Jesus?’.

“Answers differ depending on who is being asked. RE teaching and assessment that recognises that, by asking pupils to think about subject matter from different perspectives, is intellectually more rigorous and can promote the educational benefits of open-ended inquiry.

“It also best prepares pupils to enter a world characterised by a radical diversity of beliefs, religions and world views.”

The textbook, titled Who is Jesus?, introduces…

Fr Nadim Nassar, the first Syrian to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England, fears the decision could spark a fresh power struggle in the region.

He told Premier any effort to de-escalate conflict in Syria was welcome, adding: “They shouldn’t be there in the first place, anyway; they should have left Syrians to decide the future of Syria.

“But they decided to march in… instead of helping the Syrians to find a solution for their own conflict.”

The US President said on Wednesday that Islamic State had been defeated in Syria, suggesting his administration was preparing to send 2,000 American troops currently there home.

Among those criticising the claim was the British defence minister Tobias Ellwood, who tweeted: “I strongly disagree.

“It has morphed into other forms of extremism and the threat is very much alive.”

Fr Nadim said a decision by the US to withdraw without securing strong support for in-country allies would mark a highly unusually step by Washington.

He voiced concern such a move could prompt neighbouring powers including Iran, Russia and Turkey to embark on fresh efforts to assert greater influence in Syria, unleashing further “chaos”.

After historic victories against ISIS, it’s time to bring our great young people home!

She said: “I am in good biblical company along with Joseph, Moses, Daniel and his three Hebrew friends who were each found guilty by the courts of their day.”

Onasanya was found guilty at the Old Bailey of not only driving above the speed limit in July 2017 but also denying that it was her driving. She is yet to be sentenced but has been suspended from the Labour Party and urged to quit.

The Times report that in a Whatsapp message to other Labour MPs she wrote: “As many of you are already aware, due to widespread media coverage, I was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Although I vigorously maintained my innocence, the jury has decided that I am guilty.

“I campaigned for justice and for the interests of ordinary people throughout my entire working life to date, but it is this which has made both national and international press. The first jury was dismissed having failed to reach a decision last month but the second jury reached their conclusion within days.

“Regardless of what you believe or suspect, the fact remains that I Fiona, sought to be the choice and voice of change, but this may now take a different path. More than ever before I am asking that you commit time in prayer for my family.”

She added that she does not feel isolated in her position: “In times like these the natural inclination of believers is to ask God why? I personally do not,…

The Synod Secretary of the Diocese confirmed the incident to local media and described the event as “shocking”.

The kidnappers broke into the bishop’s residence around 7pm on Tuesday.

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, said that he was “distraught” to hear about the kidnapping.

He added: “This is absolutely terrible news. My heart goes out to his wife Edna, the rest of his family and everyone in his diocese.

“I would urge the whole Anglican Communion to join me in praying for his safe release.”

While no suspects have been named, the state’s 2019 governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, Tonye Cole, linked the abduction to the bishop’s relationship with himself.

A statement released by Cole’s campaign organisation stated: “The gentle and respectable priest, whose whereabouts are still unknown, was the clergyman who received and prayed with Cole when he visited the area.

“Since the APC flag bearer’s visit, the priest has received threats from persons at large.

“We are disturbed that kidnapping has degenerated so low that a man of God who has dedicated his life to the service of mankind can be so brutally assaulted by thugs acting on the orders of their godfathers.”

Deputy Superintendent Nnamdi Omoni of Rivers State Police said an investigation is ongoing.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a…