Reports in the press over the past week or so have suggested that the US is pressing Ukraine to move towards peace talks with Russia. It is ironic when reports refer to the communications as private. What that means is that no politician is publicly calling for talks in public statements. However, when the world’s… Continue reading Wrong reasons for pushing others into peace talks
Tag: Public Theology
why care and prayer are needed as Russia lashes out
Today there have been reports of Russian missiles landing in Poland resulting in deaths. Both Poland and Hungary have called meetings of their security councils. People have also been quoting promises by President Biden that every inch of NATO territory would be defended. It is worth remembering first that NATO mutual commitments don’t prerequisite immediate… Continue reading why care and prayer are needed as Russia lashes out
The nurses strike or Matt Hancock on I’m a Celebrity? When you don’t have to choose between two ethical issues
I saw this tweet the other day. It’s a classical example of poor reasoning and poor ethical thinking. We sometimes refer to this as “Whataboutery.” A person expresses an opinion on a moral issue. They are then told that they should not be expressing views about that issue because issue x is far more egregious.… Continue reading The nurses strike or Matt Hancock on I’m a Celebrity? When you don’t have to choose between two ethical issues
House of Cards and a tragedy of mistaken heroes
Back when I was a student at University, anyone who was interested in politics and saw themselves as having a future in parliament was avidly studying the TV adaption of Michael Dodd’s House of Cards as diligently as they were paying attention to their actual subject. The protagonist in the original House of Cards is… Continue reading House of Cards and a tragedy of mistaken heroes
On boycotting the World Cup and judging others
This winter, the FIFA World Cup will happen in Qatar. The decision to host the World Cup there has proved seriously controversial. There were all the practical questions about it happening at a time of year when major national leagues are mid competition and about the implications of playing in that climate. However, those concerns… Continue reading On boycotting the World Cup and judging others
We can’t expect higher standards from politicians and then stick them on game shows
Matt Hancock, the disgraced former health secretary has been revealed as a contestant on “I’m a Celebrity, get me out of here.” He follows other politicians into reality TV prepared for ritual humiliation and hoping for a bit more name recognition and celebrity status. At the tamer end of things we’ve seen Ann Widdicombe, Ed… Continue reading We can’t expect higher standards from politicians and then stick them on game shows
Pensioners are not dependents on State largesse
One of the great challenges of the 21st Century is how we look after an increasing aging population. We sometimes talk about a demographic time bomb, lower birth rates combined with increased life expectancy mean that the working population is smaller but has to support a much larger population of retired people. We have seen… Continue reading Pensioners are not dependents on State largesse
An overflow of grace for the good of the city
One reason why I think it is right to say that a church exists for the good of the city is that if things are done right, then this simply is the case. Why do I say that? Well have a look at Hebrews 6:4-7 with me. It says: We tend to look at those… Continue reading An overflow of grace for the good of the city
Jesus for the good of the city
The other day I wrote a little bit about what it means to seek the good of the city. I was prompted to think about this because we’ve just had a week of prayer as a family of churches in Birmingham and on the Wednesday night, the theme was “For the good of the city”… Continue reading Jesus for the good of the city
For the good of the city
Our church has a list of reasons that we exist. One of them is that we exist “for the good of the city.” Our church has been planted here in Birmingham with the conviction that we should not just become a “holy huddle.” A challenge is sometimes given to churches “If you ceased to exist… Continue reading For the good of the city
Faithroots 