I recently saw a comment from someone to the effect that the big challenge with the current migrant/small boat crisis is a lack of Biblical teaching on the subject for the church. I agree that there needs to be more careful Biblical discussion and teaching but we also need to be aware of some pitfalls… Continue reading The Bible and immigration/ asylum
Category: ethics
Were those demonstrations okay?
On Thursday, a terrorist attacked a synagogue on the Jewish holy day, Yom Kippur. On Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday, demonstrations went ahead against Israel despite the police and politicians appealing for them not to. A big concern regarding the regular demonstrations about Israel has been that legitimate protest about Israel’s actions in Gaza so… Continue reading Were those demonstrations okay?
Death of the author and murder of the story
Roland Barthes famously talked about “the death of the author”. By this he meant that we shouldn’t waste our time attempting to work out and authors intention when writing. The author’s relationship to the text ends as soon as they have written it. S/he is to all intents and purposes dead to his work and… Continue reading Death of the author and murder of the story
Why I’m not signing the heartbeat (abortion) petition
I was recently sent a link asking me to sign a petition calling for abortion to be outlawed except in some fairly restricted circumstances once a heartbeat is detected. I won’t be signing the petition or encouraging others to and I thought that it might be helpful to flesh out why, not least because abortion… Continue reading Why I’m not signing the heartbeat (abortion) petition
The question concerning flags and marches is not about “do you like the people”?
Andrew Wilson wrote recently on Think Theology about what the flags going up around the country, represent and mean. I think this was a helpful question to start asking and highlighted the challenges of interpreting signs and symbols. I am not convinced that this follow up article by Matthew Hosier was so helpful. Steve Kneale… Continue reading The question concerning flags and marches is not about “do you like the people”?
What do we do about Christian Nationalism in practice?
It’s when you start to talk about the practical implications of Christian Nationalism’s errors that you start to get some pushback. People will happily go along with discussion about its relative merits but I’ve found that the strongest resistance I’ve had has been to my suggestion that churches, networks and national leaders should act, not… Continue reading What do we do about Christian Nationalism in practice?
Is there a relationship between a possible (“Quiet) Revival and a far right revival?
This is in sum the question that someone asked me recently. As it happens, I’ve seen quite a few people arguing that there is a link, although they balk at the term far right. I’ve seen a number of articles and read a number of blog posts suggesting that some Christians do see a link… Continue reading Is there a relationship between a possible (“Quiet) Revival and a far right revival?
The burden of proof – and why we seem to struggle to challenge the far right
It’s funny isn’t it? People were fairly relaxed about me writing articles reflecting on issues around flags, marches and nationalist ideology. However, as soon as I suggested that this should lead to action, specifically that church networks should not partner with, or include in their number, those who endorse and align with the far right… Continue reading The burden of proof – and why we seem to struggle to challenge the far right
The questions we need to sit with following Charlie Kirk’s death
Following the murder of Charlie Kirk, I thought it might be helpful to try and gather together the questions that his death has prompted. I’ve discussed some of these here. I’m not claiming to have answers to everything. I think though it’s a good idea to work through them. I’m sure you will have questions… Continue reading The questions we need to sit with following Charlie Kirk’s death
Problems with the church leaders’ letters about the Tommy Robinson march
A couple of days ago, a letter signed by a number of church leaders wasrepottred in the Times responding to the Tommy Robinson march and in particular it’s coopting of Christians and Christian symbols. Evangelicals were among those who signed it.on I am grateful that several Evangelicals have spoken up boldly. I agree with the… Continue reading Problems with the church leaders’ letters about the Tommy Robinson march
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