We need to be honest about who we include and who we don’t include

A few weeks back I wrote arguing that we should be willing to consider the possibility of some form of immunity certification if it enables large gatherings to open up sooner enabling capacity audiences, mingling, singing and the end of social distancing and face masks at such events. There is a concern that such measures… Continue reading We need to be honest about who we include and who we don’t include

How do we avoid future lockdowns?

Despite the roll out of the vaccine and the gradual easing of lockdown, there’s still a lot of pessimism in the air. Consistently we hear talk about the potential for COVID-19 infections to rise again and further deaths. Whilst the Government are adamant that there is no reason for us to see a reverse of… Continue reading How do we avoid future lockdowns?

Does Doug Wilson endorse marital rape?

Is Doug Wilson an apologist for rape, specifically marital rape? A particular quote from him has been doing the rounds for some time: “When we quarrel with the way the world is, we find that the world has ways of getting back at us. In other words, however we try, the sexual act cannot be… Continue reading Does Doug Wilson endorse marital rape?

Douglas Wilson on Slavery and racism

In some up coming posts, I’m going to try and outline the issues concerning Douglas Wilson’s teaching in order to show why it is unhealthy.  But to do so, we need to engage properly with what Wilson is actually saying rather than hearsay or exaggeration and that means we need to take a little time… Continue reading Douglas Wilson on Slavery and racism

You are not meant to be autonomous.

Out of recent conversations about church culture in the light of recent abuse scandals we’ve seen a renewed debate about complementarianism.  It’s a little confusing as to how this has happened because in the cases primarily linked to complementarian leaning churches the victims of abuse tended to be young men whereas in at least one… Continue reading You are not meant to be autonomous.

We miss the radical teaching of the Bible when we impose the wrong thought categories

I think fundamentalists and liberals tend to make the same mistake about the Bible. They read it through the same modernist lens.  They miss what the Bible is saying and so they miss its applicability to contemporary life. Let me give two examples to help with our thinking. First of all, let me return to… Continue reading We miss the radical teaching of the Bible when we impose the wrong thought categories

George Floyd, justice and why the optics do matter

I woke yesterday to the news that George Floyd’s killer, Derek Chauvin has been convicted. This is good news because it means justice for Floyd’s family, but it does not deal with the issue of racism.  In fact, it is concerning that some people are still trying to separate out the race issue here and… Continue reading George Floyd, justice and why the optics do matter

Why did the European Super League fail? More lessons in idolatry

It has been fascinating to see the way that the European Super League proposal collapsed as quickly as it was revealed. So, what caused this to happen?  Well various explanations have been given as to what made the difference including: Fan power and an example of collectivist communitarianism. The fans stood up to big business… Continue reading Why did the European Super League fail? More lessons in idolatry

The proposed European Super League exposes our idolatry

The news cycle moves on. What has knocked coronavirus and a royal death off of the headlines this week? That’s right, it’s football and proposals for a European Super League. The plan is for 12 of the richest and largest clubs in Europe to break away from their national leagues to form their own competition,… Continue reading The proposed European Super League exposes our idolatry

Race, class and geography (more thoughts on that report)

Just before Easter, the Commission on Race, equality and disparity reported.  The report has proved controversial with people focusing particularly on associated headlines questioning the existence of institutional racism and suggesting that the UK was in fact a positive example of improvements in race relations.  I chose to hold off from making an immediate response… Continue reading Race, class and geography (more thoughts on that report)