Category: Opinion

It’s great that the Government are asking questions about faith and religion -but are they asking the right ones?

The Government have appointed Colin Bloom as an independent faith advisor.  As part of his work, a survey has been commissioned to gather perspectives on faith, belief and religion in the UK today.  It asks a whole range of questions including some about whether we think religion has a positive impact on society or not… Continue reading It’s great that the Government are asking questions about faith and religion -but are they asking the right ones?

Politician sacked … for being competent at her job!

So, another politicians has had to resign (i.e. they were told to)  and apologise.  This week, the shadow minister for faith, Janet Daly resigned and apologised.  What was her misdemeanour? Had she been caught in an affair, had she been accused of bullying, had she broken COVID-19 rules even? Not, it was none of those… Continue reading Politician sacked … for being competent at her job!

Racism, social justice, crime, sin and idolatry

This is a follow up article to my most recent article on #BlackLivesMatter and specifically to some comments, questions and interaction.  One notable comment was to the affect that Justice was being done in the George Floyd case because the policeman was standing trial Christians should stick to preaching the Gospel and not spend time… Continue reading Racism, social justice, crime, sin and idolatry

The vaccine and abortion (3) Doing ethics from three perspectives

There are three general approaches to how we make ethical decisions. Sometimes in history they have functioned as competing schools of thought but some contemporary thinkers (particularly John Frame) suggest that in fact we need all three perspectives to make decisions.  I’m going to outline them here – probably a little (a lot?) simplified for… Continue reading The vaccine and abortion (3) Doing ethics from three perspectives

Can we just choose to disregard unreasonable laws?

One of the discussion points throughout COVID-19 is whether the Government guidance requires Christians to choose between human laws and God’s Law.  The question is about whether or not we are being prevented from obeying the call to gather together and if so whether or not the command to love your neighbour trumps that Biblical… Continue reading Can we just choose to disregard unreasonable laws?

Is unity possible between church traditions?

This is the second part of my response to Moses’ guest article on denominations. A key part of Moses’ argument seems to be that an appeal to “Evangelical Unity” does not work because that pushes us down to the lowest common denominator and that people may have more in common with their non-evangelical colleagues within… Continue reading Is unity possible between church traditions?

Navigating the Denominations and Evangelical Unity

In yesterday’s guest blog, Moses Tutesigensi made a robust defence of denominations. Moses was responding to my argument that Evangelical Anglicans need to refocus their attention on relationships with other Evangelicals.  As it happens, I do not have particular issues with denominations per se.  My question is about where we set the right priorities in… Continue reading Navigating the Denominations and Evangelical Unity

Guest Post – In defence of Denominations

Yesterday I wrote about the relationship between evangelical Anglicans and evangelicals outside of the Church of England. I invited response and I’m delighted to share a guest post from Moses Tutesigensi. In his article, Moses focuses on a defence of denominations through interaction with my comments. Whilst the existence of denominations was not within my… Continue reading Guest Post – In defence of Denominations

When should we consider civil disobedience?

I want to return to the question about Churches breaking lockdown rules and meeting for worship. You will notice that people like me (see also the position of FIEC National Director, John Stevens) has not been that Churches should never go against the law on matters of gathering for worship. That would be an untenable… Continue reading When should we consider civil disobedience?