Is the Church the Christian Nation (initial response to a debate between Aaron Edwards and Bob of Speaker’s Corner)

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I’m currently listening to a podcast presented by Aaron Edwards and “Bob of Speaker’s corner”  where they are seeking to set up a debate on Christian Nationalism.  The idea is that they are inviting all comers to turn up on their zoom call and debate with them..  It sounds like a rather fraught approach to… Continue reading Is the Church the Christian Nation (initial response to a debate between Aaron Edwards and Bob of Speaker’s Corner)

What is Christian Nationalism?

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This is the unedited version of an article I recently had published by Evangelicals Now. You can read the published version here. Do you remember 6 years ago, we were becoming aware of a new coronavirus, nnovel because this particular strain of virus had not been seen before. It seems to have originated in a… Continue reading What is Christian Nationalism?

The Reformers and the Christian State

The Reformers including Luther, Calvin and Zwingli were acting in a context in which it was the established norm that the state was Christian.  If the early church fathers were acting pre-Christendom and we live in a post Christendom world, Calvin and the early reformed lived within Christendom.  Whilst the radical reformers would in effect… Continue reading The Reformers and the Christian State

PostScript on latest Christian Nationalism conversation

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I was going to share a PostScript to Friday’s article with some further red herrings in Michael Reade’s article in Evangelicals Now. However, it struck me that Michael wasn’t really served well by his article in EN.  I hope the editorial team can learn some lessons from this. Reade ended up, in my opinion, attempting… Continue reading PostScript on latest Christian Nationalism conversation

Is Nationalism a virtue? Responding to an old book review from Christian Concern

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This is the argument made in a book review, or rather a book summary from Tim Dieppe of  Christian Concern.  The book is The Virtue of Nationalism by Yoram Hazony, an Israeli academic and the argument is that you have a binary choice between Nationalism and Imperialism.  Nazism was in fact a form of imperialism… Continue reading Is Nationalism a virtue? Responding to an old book review from Christian Concern

UKIP marching with Jesus

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I’ve seen a few social media posts, mainly from the US picking up on a parade in London being banned. The posts usually express outrage contrasting this “Walk with Jesus” being banned in case it offends Muslims whilst Muslim festivals and parades are allowed It’s important to be factually clear about this.  The march is… Continue reading UKIP marching with Jesus

An untested experiment? Tracing the Historical foundations of Christian Nationalism

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One of the arguments for Christian Nationalism is that it is simply historic Christianity as accepted and continued by the Reformation.   It is certainly true that for most of history,, Christianity has been afforded a special place in western culture referring to Europe and North America both through Catholic and Protestant influence.  We also see… Continue reading An untested experiment? Tracing the Historical foundations of Christian Nationalism

An update on engaging with Christian Nationalism

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Regular readers will be aware of two things.  First that I spent a significant part of last year engaging with the topic of Christian Nationalism. You will also be aware that I hit the pause button on writing on the subject because I felt that I had probably contributed as much as I could at… Continue reading An update on engaging with Christian Nationalism

Choosing the wrong side? Why Christians need to be careful about not playing to Trump and Putin’s talking points

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I saw this video the other day. I was struck by a comment that Chris Wickland makes in it.  He warns that people  may find that they have been taking the wrong side.  It’s easy to do this, not out of malicious intent but out of naievity. In fact in a sermon just a few… Continue reading Choosing the wrong side? Why Christians need to be careful about not playing to Trump and Putin’s talking points

Jesus keep me near the cross

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I don’t know about you, but I find that there are particular songs and hymns that seem to fit with seasons we or I am going through. I remember being captured by “Hymn of Heaven” by Phil Wickham around about the time my mum died.  Interestingly she had mentioned hearing a Phil Wickham song at… Continue reading Jesus keep me near the cross