Seth Dornisch on Religiosity and Mental Health

Seth Dornisch, Evolutionary Explanations for Associations between Religiosity and Mental Health, Elements in Applied Evolutionary Science (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2026).

The above short (86-page) book is available as a free pdf download until 26 August 2026.

Here is the summary:

‘This Element examines the relationship between mental health and religiosity from an evolutionary perspective. Drawing on psychology, anthropology, and health science, it explores the origins of religiosity and the cultural evolution of religious traditions to identify how religious beliefs, behaviors, and affiliations have influenced human psychosocial functioning over time. First, it defines the concepts of mental health and religiosity and then summarizes research on contemporary associations between them. This synthesis highlights the multidimensionality of each construct and the variability in their association across individuals and cultural contexts. Building on theory, the Element introduces a novel multilevel framework to explain how religiosity and mental health have interacted differently across evolutionary, cultural, and personal timescales. It concludes by considering applications of this evolutionary science, proposing that individuals who understand how religiosity and mental health are associated can more intentionally cultivate personal forms of religiosity that benefit, rather than hinder, well-being.’

The book can be downloaded as a pdf from here.

Christian History Magazine on Anglicanism

The latest issue of Christian History Magazine is devoted to: ‘Meet the Anglicans: How the English State Church Became a Worldwide Church’.

From the blurb:

‘What is Anglicanism, and what does it mean to be an Anglican?

‘This issue of Christian History looks at the roots and branches of the Anglican story, beginning with Christianity’s arrival in the British Isles and its distinctive development in England’s Middle Ages. See how the English Reformation developed a Protestant branch separate from Rome, but not quite like its Reformed neighbors in Europe. From there we trace the Anglican faith’s dramatic expansion and change from the 17th century through the 21st-century world.

‘Join Christian History as we demystify what it means to be a state church, and what happens when you stop being one; the ways Anglicans can sound “Catholic lite” and why they do; how Anglican priests spread evangelicalism; and the pervasive influence of Anglicanism and the Book of Common Prayer on Western culture. Finally, join us on Anglicanism’s global journey – from once being an expression of Christian faith that was explicitly English, to its spread, expressions, and fractures throughout the world.’

The whole magazine is available as a 10.2 MB pdf here.

Douglas Dales on Prayer

Douglas Dales, Monotheism and Prayer: A Study in Trinitarian Prayer, Elements in Christian Doctrine (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2026).

The above short (78-page) book is available as a free pdf download until 21 August 2026.

Here is the summary:

‘This is a study of how Christian Trinitarian understanding of monotheism has been expressed in Christian prayer and worship. It studies the emergence and development of a distinctive language of prayer within the New Testament and among some early Church Fathers, which laid the basis for later belief in and worship of the Trinity. This contemplative belief is studied in the light of Eastern and Western understandings of the Trinity, by examining certain key figures Christian history. It concludes with a discussion of the continuing mystical and contemplative traditions within Eastern and Western Christianity. This Element does not consider the development of Christian liturgy, however, which has already been considered in an earlier Element in this series. Nor does it address the varied impact of the Reformation upon the Western churches, which will be addressed by further Elements to be published in this series.

The book can be downloaded as a pdf from here.

The Big Picture on Evangelicalism

Several articles from the latest issue of The Big Picture, a magazine produced by the Kirby Laing Centre, have recently been made available via Substack.

According to the blurb:

‘Our seventeenth issue of The Big Picture broaches the topic of evangelicalism. Without sweeping aside the problems and weaknesses of the movement over its history, it has had an important role in revitalising world Christianity, and our world needs a healthy evangelicalism now more than ever. Our contributors look at what has characterised the movement since its earliest days, what might be missing and what might have gone wrong. Several articles explore the role of evangelicalism in politics, others in intellectual pursuits such as education or research, and still others in ethics and mission. We hope that our issue offers some avenues for its renewal.’

The articles are available from here.

Lausanne Global Analysis on Generational Theory

The latest issue of the Lausanne Global Analysis looks at the topic of generational theory:

‘How should the global church respond to generational change?

‘Generational theory can illuminate how cultural change is shaping faith, leadership, discipleship, and mission – but it can also oversimplify identity and impose Western-derived categories on diverse contexts. This Global Analysis weighs both its insights and limitations, inviting the church to engage generational change wisely, contextually, and collaboratively in service of the Great Commission.’

Individual articles are available from here, from where a pdf of the issue can be downloaded.

Theos Report on Motherhood

The latest report from Theos has recently been published:

Dr Madeleine Pennington and Dr Rhiannon McAleer, Motherhood, Inside Out: The Story in Numbers (London: Theos. 2026).

Here’s some brief blurb:

‘Motherhood is one of the most significant transitions a woman can experience. It can reshape identity, relationships, priorities and, for many women, how they see the world itself. Yet it remains surprisingly under–researched and is often undervalued in public life.

‘This report accompanies the Motherhood, Inside Out research project, unpacking its main quantitative findings […]

‘We asked women how they saw the value of, and economic and cultural support for, parenting, before asking the mothers specifically how their thinking and identity had shifted since having children. The findings reveal that motherhood can transform women from the inside out […]

‘Taken as a whole, the findings explored in this report speak to a potentially under-supported social role – but as explored further in our separate qualitative report, they also hint at an existential shift that is far more complex and wide-reaching than is acknowledged in ordinary depictions of motherhood, entailing social, political, and even spiritual impacts on the women who go through it.’

More information about the project is available here, more information about the report is available here, and a pdf of the full report is available here.

Centre for Public Christianity (July 2026)

Among other items, the Centre for Public Christianity has posted a ‘Life and Faith’ podcast here on wine.

From the blurb:

‘Daniel Chaffey Hartwig and Theo Engela are the brothers-in-law behind Chaffey Bros Wine Co. In this celebratory episode of Life & Faith, they talk about the ups and downs of winemaking (mostly the ups), and why they think it’s a natural fit for people of Christian faith like them to be in this business – despite certain stereotypes! Benjamin Franklin famously wrote that wine is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy, and Daniel and Theo can definitely get on board with that idea.’