Author: faithrootsdw

Antisemitism, Amnesty and the IHRA definition

Amnesty International report that they’ve joined with a number of civil rights organisations in writing to the UN asking them not to adopt the IHRA’s definition of Antisemitism.  They are arguing that the definition can and has been used in order to suppress legitimate protest against the state of Israel, particularly in relation to its… Continue reading Antisemitism, Amnesty and the IHRA definition

What the hope of resurrection doesn’t encourage us to do -and why that’s good news

Something struck me over the past few months, particularly as our family have been through a period of grief having seen Sarah’s dad and my mum die in a very short space of time.  One of the emotions that we go through in grief is that strong sense of missing a person and wishing that… Continue reading What the hope of resurrection doesn’t encourage us to do -and why that’s good news

Can we talk about sex and relationships? The pastoral challenges and pitfalls

I’m returning to the themes coming out of The Gospel Coalition’s controversial article “Sex is not your saviour but it points to the one who is” which provided an excerpt from Josh Butler’s forthcoming book, Beautiful Unnion. As promised, I want to deal here with some of the challenges and pitfalls around talking theologically and… Continue reading Can we talk about sex and relationships? The pastoral challenges and pitfalls

Foundations for a Christian perspective on current issues, challenges and controversies around UK healthcare

I spent the first two articles making some observations about two specific examples of the issues and controversies we are currently facing when talking about UK healthcare, the Junior Doctors Strike and debates around funding and privatisation when it comes to the NHS. Now, let’s step back a little and think about how we view… Continue reading Foundations for a Christian perspective on current issues, challenges and controversies around UK healthcare

Galatians Reconsidered (Book Review)

Much ink has been spilt over a little controversy amongst New Testament Theologians, the so called New Perspective on Paul. Neil Martin believes that he has found a way through the impasse to enable us to be enriched by Paul’s teaching, especially in Galatians. The New Perspective was a response to the traditional Protestant position,… Continue reading Galatians Reconsidered (Book Review)

How Reading Proverbs has helped my understanding of the rest of the Bible

I love the Proverbs but my appreciation of them has grown when I’ve spent time reading them as a book of the Bible, not just selecting memorable ones to quote.  You see, whilst we tend to treat them as a source book for lots of anatomised wise advice, I believe that we are meant to… Continue reading How Reading Proverbs has helped my understanding of the rest of the Bible

Who will you send?

It’s been pointed out that the only way that you know if you’ve been called to pastoral ministry is not through an inner prompting, though some may experience this, it’s also not about having a few friends saying that they think you might be good at it.  Rather, it’s about having a local church who… Continue reading Who will you send?

The NHS, strikes and Junior Doctors’ Pay

One of the issues which keeps coming up with regards to recent NHS pay disputes is that Junior Doctors are able to seek better pay and conditions outside of the NHS, whether through leaving healthcare completely or by moving to another country where pay and conditions are better. I understand that over 10000 medics have… Continue reading The NHS, strikes and Junior Doctors’ Pay