The murder of Henry Nowak

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I’ve read a lot of commentary over the past week concerning the Henry Nowak case.   Much of it involves reaction to what people assume to be the problem. However any response and analysis needs to engage with the actual facts available to us.    I thought it might be helpful to try and set that out,… Continue reading The murder of Henry Nowak

The day I achieved world domination

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So …. These notifications popped up on my WordPress menu recently. If only Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had realised that you could gain world domination by simply running a blog! It would make for a more peaceful world. I  suspect that this reflects an attempt to align WordPress with other platforms and tools.  You… Continue reading The day I achieved world domination

On double standards

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Over the past few days, I’ve heard a number of complaints about hypocrisy and double standards in response to Henry Nowak.  Some of them are, I think, unfair.  No, prominent people have not “taken the knee” as they did in response to the George Floyd murder. However, that was a very specific symbolic response and… Continue reading On double standards

Faithroots audio: sample sermons

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I’ve introduced a new Faithroots Audio page. The first audios included on the page are a selection of sermons that I’ve preached at Church Central North covering most genres of Scripture. One reason for sharing those sermons is to help those learning to preach. I’d like you to get a flavour for how different topics… Continue reading Faithroots audio: sample sermons

On blunted blades

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My friend, Steve Kneale writes here, about being careful what we ask for.   In the light of Henry Nowak’s murder there has been a big focus on the religious right of Sikhs to carry the Kirpan in public.  He offers the scenario of someone using a  Bible as a weapon and harming someone, leading to… Continue reading On blunted blades

Ethno-cultural nationalism

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I’ve seen it suggested that the kind of nationalism we are seeing promoted whether by agitators like Tommy Robinson or Christian Nationalists is not of the narrow, hostile ethno-nationalism kind that we associate with the Far Right and racism.  The implication is that this civic or cultural nationalism is of a more benign kind.  My… Continue reading Ethno-cultural nationalism

Did Kemi Badernoch really say that she did not care about white lives?

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As Henry Nowak lay dying, his murderer and relatives concocted a deceit.  They hid the murder weapon and they phoned the police claiming that Vikrum Nigwa was the victim of racially aggravated assault and battery. The lies compounded this heinous crime.  One thing we owe to the memory of Henry Nowak is a commitment to… Continue reading Did Kemi Badernoch really say that she did not care about white lives?

Honouring or dishonouring Henry Nowak’s memory

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My reflection on the political reaction to Vikrum Digwa’s conviction for the murder of Henry Nowak can be summed up as : There have now been four wrongs in relation to the horrific murder of Henry Nowak. 1. The murder itself 2. The deceit by the murderer aided by family to attempt to cover up.… Continue reading Honouring or dishonouring Henry Nowak’s memory

Romans 5:1-4

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The result of justification is that if we are right with God, then we have peace with him.  We are no longer under his wrath and judgement. We are no longer enemies of God. Peace is possible through Jesus Christ, the mediator (v1). Paul here emphasises Christ’s priestly role.  He gives us access.  Specifically, the… Continue reading Romans 5:1-4

Was murder treated less seriously than anti-racism?

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The case of Henry Nowak”s murder is distressing.  It’s clear that the police made mistakes and that a young man and his family were seriously let down.  It is also clear that an evil and violent crime was committed. However, we need to be careful in our responses.  We are seeing Nowak now used as… Continue reading Was murder treated less seriously than anti-racism?