Demons, deliverance and complex pastoral care

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I’ve recently been thinking about robust pastoral care systems. I’ve also been talking a bit about deliverance ministry. Putting the two together, here is a first stab at a pastoral care policy/giudance notes for pastoral care in deliverance contexts. Context -why this is important Background We believe in the reality of the Devil and demons… Continue reading Demons, deliverance and complex pastoral care

Disuniting the kingdom – who are you marching for?

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On Saturday last week, an estimated 100000 people marched through London  in a protest called “Unite the nation.” Quite a few Christian leaders have condemned the march as promoting intimidation and fear particularly towards immigrants and asylum seekers. I’ve seen quite a few responses from Christians who joined in on the march complaining that they… Continue reading Disuniting the kingdom – who are you marching for?

Should we refuse to sing songs from particular sources such as Bethel  and Hillsong. 

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I recently wrote about what we do with problem lyrics in worship songs.  However, for some readers, the question needed to go further.  What do we do when we have concerns about the ethos and theology of the song writers/ originating church. Issues may include both suspect theology and practices.  This may not just be… Continue reading Should we refuse to sing songs from particular sources such as Bethel  and Hillsong. 

More Charlie Kirk reflections – discipling Gen Z

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I’ve persistently argued that we must be careful of the extremes in responding to Charlie Kirk’s death. He was neither monster/demon nor martyr/angel.  At the same time I think it is legitimate, unavoidable even to discuss his legacy and to engage both with the positives and the negatives. This becomes even more pertinent if it… Continue reading More Charlie Kirk reflections – discipling Gen Z

Patriotism, nationalism.  Christian Nationalism and Christian nation-alism

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I’ve been reflecting further on the issues around Christian Nationalism. It is worth reflecting on the different types of national identity and pride that there can be. First, we may think about patriotism where essentially we mean a love and affection for one’s own country, especially country of birth.  Such patriotic affection is sometimes dismissed… Continue reading Patriotism, nationalism.  Christian Nationalism and Christian nation-alism

What do our words and actions give space to?

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One of the accusations levelled against Charlie Kirk was that he was a racist. This was in response to some particular comments Kirk had made. For example he was on the record as suggesting that some black women including Michelle Obama were of sub intellect and had only got where they were through affirmative action… Continue reading What do our words and actions give space to?

Who knew Charlie Kirk?

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Pretty much every UK based comment from my generation and above have started along the lines of “I hadn’t heard of Charlie Kirk until this week .” Personally I’d heard a little. I knew about Turning Point and had an awareness of some of the politics.  However, I also realised that I had seen a… Continue reading Who knew Charlie Kirk?

Spurgeons College and choosing the lessons we want to learn

In an article  about why Spurgeon’s College suddenly closed, Evangelicals Now picks up on comments from three men trying to explain it. Peter Williams of Tyndale House picks up on the financial situation, the college spent more money than it had. We know that a primary donor had pulled out. Bill James, principal of London… Continue reading Spurgeons College and choosing the lessons we want to learn

Canon fodder in Wilson’s culture war

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You can read Doug Wilson’s response to the shooting of Charlie Kirk here.  Now, over the past few days, I’ve been thinking here about how we should respond to Kirk’s death.  I’ve observed that there have been some (not all) on the left who have been quick to demonise him.  They didn’t like what he… Continue reading Canon fodder in Wilson’s culture war