One of the things I’ve picked up previously on is the risk of getting into debates about whether or not this particular person is a Christian? You can read my most recent observation here. You will pick up that I’m cautious about making an assessment. That’s in part because I don’t really want to get… Continue reading Can we say that someone is not a Christian?
Author: faithrootsdw
Sin and crime, guilt, shame and punishment
The recent discussions about Russell Brand’s conviction has got me thinking further. One of the ways I make use of AI tools Is to run articles through a first pass test for critique. You can trust Chat GPT et al not to hold back for fear of causing offense. Well, recently I picked up on… Continue reading Sin and crime, guilt, shame and punishment
If you are defending/excusing Brand after the verdict, then have you thought through the implications?
Since the Russell Brand verdict there has been an unsurprising uptick in commentary via social media about his case. A lot of the posts and comments seem to particularly associate his conviction and sentencing with his identity as someone critiquing the establishment from the political right and with his prominent public conversion to Christianity, I… Continue reading If you are defending/excusing Brand after the verdict, then have you thought through the implications?
Classical pietism and a positive public theology.
The debate over the past year has been framed as a choice between Christian Nationalism and secular pluralism. Either Christians believe that the Gospel should influence public life or they accept that secularism is a positive thing. However, the dichotomy is, to my mind, false. There are other options. For example, Christian Nationalism assumes a… Continue reading Classical pietism and a positive public theology.
Christian multiculturalism
If you are unconvinced by secular multiculturalism and do believe that Christians should get involved in public life, then you may feel like you have nowhere to go but into the arms of Christian Nationalism. I consider the dichotomy false and so over a few articles I want to offer some different alternatives. First let’s… Continue reading Christian multiculturalism
“Sinful flesh” and its implications for concupiscence, desire and temptation
You may be familiar with the doctrine of concupiscence that has become the subject of recent controversy. Some contemporary theologians are arguing that the classical reformed position is that our very desires and temptation itself are “sin” not just our acting on our desire, giving in to temptation. A counter point to that has been… Continue reading “Sinful flesh” and its implications for concupiscence, desire and temptation
The Russell Brand case and how we should respond to justice being challenged
John Stevens’ post about the Russell Brand case is excellent I wanted to say a little more first to help us think through why people might end up saying the kinds of things they have about the case, secondly to highlight why the implications are serious and thirdly to suggest what taking forward his conclusion… Continue reading The Russell Brand case and how we should respond to justice being challenged
Language, legality, and perceived racism
In a recent article, I mentioned the arrest of Thomas Moffit, the activist known as “Young bob” on the 24th October. Moffit was reportedly arrested for using a racial slur P*k*.[1] Reports suggest that the police office involved stated that Moffit was arrested under Section 19 of the Public Order Act, 1986. The arrest has… Continue reading Language, legality, and perceived racism
Celebrity conversions and convictions
There’s been much discussion about whether specific celebrities, especially those with political platforms and particularly on the right of politics have truly become Christians. I’m thinking particularly of Russell Brand and Tommy Robinson. My usual response has been to want nothing to do with the speculation. It is possible that people have become Christians but… Continue reading Celebrity conversions and convictions
Romans 8:3-4
Sometimes mixing two things together strengthens them to form a composite. Sometimes it weakens them. The latter seems to be the case here. It is not just that the Law is unable to do what is needed, it is that the Law, weakened by “the flesh” is unable to do. We might infer from what… Continue reading Romans 8:3-4
