Roundup: Marriage, Templeton Prize, John Wesley, President’s Easter message, the Apostles

One man one woman marriage a relatively recent institution

As the religious brawl over same-sex marriage hots up in Australia, Alan Austin looks to church history, which shows that marriage became a sacrament only in the 12th century — and one-man-one-woman marriage, as we know it, dates from as recently as the 16th century.

Dalai Lama wins Templeton Prize for work on science, religion

The Dalai Lama is best known for his commitment to Tibetan autonomy from China and his message of spirituality, nonviolence and peace that has made him a best-selling author and a speaker who can pack entire arenas.

Exhibition reveals John Wesley’s role as man of medicine

As one of the founding fathers of Methodism, John Wesley is well-known throughout the world as a Christian evangelist. But his experiments into producing cures for the sick have not often been talked about – until now.

In the Footsteps of the Apostles

They were unlikely leaders. As the Bible tells it, most knew more about mending nets than winning converts when Jesus said he would make them “fishers of men.” Yet 2,000 years later, all over the world, the Apostles are still drawing people in.

President’s 2012 Easter message

This Easter the message of reconciliation that lies at the heart of the Christian faith has never seemed more important.