The co-founder of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood has previously only supported divorce on the grounds of either infidelity or abandonment by an unbeliever.

Speaking to Christianity Today, Grudem said he was prompted to re-examine scripture after learning of real-life experiences of abuse within marriage.

“My wife Margaret and I became aware of some heartbreaking examples of such things as severe sexual humiliation and degradation that had continued for decades, and another case of physical battering that had gone on for decades”.

He added: “In all these situations the abused spouse had kept silent, believing that a Christian’s duty was to preserve the marriage unless there was adultery or desertion, which had not happened.”

These revelations lead Grudem to research whether the bible warranted those trapped in abusive marriages to separate from their partner.

In a talk entitled: “Grounds for Divorce: Why I Now Believe There Are More than Two”, Grudem shared his new perspective to a gathering of scholars at the Evangelical Theological Society last week.

The theologian now believes abuse can give grounds for divorce, on the premise that the decision is made with prayer and pastoral oversight.

His fresh reasoning lies in the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 7:15, which says “But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases, the brother…

The research carried out by The Children’s Society shed a light on Christingle services which help raise money for the most vulnerable children and young people in Britain.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents said they knew what a Christingle service was, and a nostalgic 38 per cent of those surveyed said they remembered attending a Christingle service as a child.

The services are usually held from the start of December and run into the New Year, with Christmas Eve a particularly popular time. 

Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children’s Society, said: “Christingle services are a fun way to help us support young people at Christmas – so far over one million vulnerable children and young people have been helped by people across the country enjoying these distinctive celebrations. 

“The services are really special – they include hymns, messages of hope, readings and the chance to learn more about The Children’s Society. This year I hope many more people will see attending a Christingle as a tradition to look forward to.” 

The survey also sought to find out which sweets should top the iconic orange used to create Christingles.

The nation’s favourite sweet has been revealed by the survey as fudge, with fruit pastilles coming in second place and jelly babies a close third.

The orange (representing the world) is wrapped in a ribbon to symbolise…

The Desiring Decency manifesto outlines the important role of faith-groups in society and calls for them to be recognised and properly funded.

Faith Action’s National Executive Director, Daniel Singleton tells Premier why the organisation wants to re-affirm the “understated” value of decency.

“It essentially gives people a good standard of living and a good interaction with one another. We can all have a sense of decency, rich or poor, young or old.”

The manifesto says the link between those in need and the faith-based services available to them need to be strengthened as they are often not known to the wider community.

Singleton explained: “One of the biggest problems we have in the UK is that 40 to 60 per cent of GP appointments are often non-medical things. Churches and faith groups are great destinations for people where those who are isolated could go to their parent and toddler group, could go to a lunch club or different things like that.”

Faith Action are asking for the skills, experience and benefits of faith-based organisations to be appropriately recognised and resourced.

Local authorities have also been challenged to sign a covenant to work in collaboration with faith groups to better serve communities, foster unity and combat loneliness.

The faith covenant has already been adopted by thirteen local authorities.

The manifesto’s final proposal focuses on…

Reverend Doctor Paul Overend has now been charged by South Wales Police with one offence against a woman between April and July 1997, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed.

It comes after the Bishop of Lincoln, Christopher Lowson, was suspended from office following alleged failures to adequately safeguard children and vulnerable people in May.

Reverend Overend is due to appear before Cardiff Magistrates Court on 4th December.

He was appointed as Canon Chancellor at Lincoln Cathedral in November 2017 to lead the cathedral’s work of public theology and Christian education, he stepped down from his post in April after a police investigation was launched.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

Keith and Christine Rowbottom met at their church crèche, but they found love as teenagers after he asked her to see a Shakespeare play.

Semi-retired Methodist minister Keith wanted to surprise Christine by taking her back to the venue where love blossomed during a production of Hamlet on 22nd November 1969.

Mr Rowbottom, 68, contacted Exeter Northcott Theatre, who had an opening for a special event, and they helped Mr Rowbottom make the anniversary especially memorable.

The theatre discovered the couple married in 1974 on the night Abba won Eurovision so booked Abba tribute band Thank You For The Music for the special date.

Theatre staff provided the couple with dinner, wine and complimentary tickets to the concert; in the same row L they sat in 50 years ago.

Christine, 67, told the Daily Express the whole experience has been “totally overwhelming. I felt like the Queen – the Dancing Queen.

“I was thinking ‘this cannot be just for us’ because the warmth we felt from the crowd was wonderful and quite moving.

“We are just so very thankful to have had 50 years together. I think I am more in love now than when I first met him.”

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.