Trevor Huddleston was an English monk and priest who lived in South Africa during the 1940s and 50s. He became famous for his opposition to apartheid and his outspoken criticism of the South African government. He would later become a Bishop and Archbishop. As a white, Oxford-educated priest, his presence and commitment to racial justice… Continue reading The line separating good and evil
Author: Jon Kuhrt
Jon Kuhrt has worked with people affected by homelessness and poverty for 25 years. He is a former CEO of West London Mission and is now a government adviser focusing on how faith and community groups address rough sleeping. He lives with his wife and three children in Streatham, south London. He likes football...but loves cricket.
Men, grief and talking the talk
On International Men’s Day last year I wrote about how the Beer Club I am in with old school mates had gone online during Covid. The main point of the article was about the need for men to talk openly about how they are. A poll on the article showed that almost a quarter of… Continue reading Men, grief and talking the talk
Crossing Jordan: Peterson & polarisation
Jordan Peterson provokes intensely strong reactions. Maybe you have just experienced one in seeing the title and image of this blog post. Peterson's talks and lectures online are incredibly popular, especially with young men. His book 12 Rules for Life and his famous interview on Channel 4 News with Cathy Newman (since watched 34 million… Continue reading Crossing Jordan: Peterson & polarisation
3 lessons for the Church from the Yorkshire Cricket racism scandal
Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) is one of the most famous sporting institutions in the world. They have won the County Championship a record 33 times and have produced cricketing legends such as Sir Len Hutton, Fred Trueman, Geoffrey Boycott and the current England captain, Joe Root. Stubborn But even within cricket’s conservative culture, YCCC… Continue reading 3 lessons for the Church from the Yorkshire Cricket racism scandal
‘A slur which insults and wounds’: racism is not banter
Azeem Rafiq's father at Yorkshire CCC yesterday I am a member of a Facebook group for cricket fans. Over the last few days, there has inevitably been a lot of discussion, some of it very heated, about the racist bullying that Azeem Rafiq has faced at Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC). If you are not… Continue reading ‘A slur which insults and wounds’: racism is not banter
‘Bleeding for Jesus’ by Andrew Graystone [review]
The Riot Club is a film about an elitist drinking club at Oxford University. At one of their gatherings, events get badly out of hand and a pub landlord ends up being killed. In the ensuing investigation, the students agree to not cooperate with the authorities in order to protect the club. Bleeding for… Continue reading ‘Bleeding for Jesus’ by Andrew Graystone [review]
Child sacrifice: the other side of missionary life
Home is Where: The Journeys of a Missionary Child by Margaret Newbigin Beetham From the 1930s to the 1970s, Lesslie Newbigin was a missionary and Bishop in South India. When he ‘retired’ back to England, he pastored an inner city church in Birmingham, lectured and wrote a series of highly influential books. No Christian writer… Continue reading Child sacrifice: the other side of missionary life
The virus of celebrity Christianity
Chris Tomlin is a popular Christian composer and worship leader. For his forthcoming tour, he has partnered with Hillsong's worship band United. Their promotional material is another example of how the virus of celebrity culture has infected Christianity: The “Tomlin UNITED” Tour aims to not only bring the church back together but also bring faith… Continue reading The virus of celebrity Christianity
A tale of two vicars: one exploiting the status quo, the other challenging it
Jonathan Fletcher was the vicar of Emmanuel Church Wimbledon (ECW) and enjoyed a high-profile and influential ministry. But in recent years, his bullying, coercive and abusive behaviour has been exposed. A report by the Safeguarding Agency thirtyone:eight catalogued Fletcher’s long-running pattern of sexual and spiritual abuse. Much of the fall-out from this scandal has… Continue reading A tale of two vicars: one exploiting the status quo, the other challenging it
Marrying grace and truth
Twenty years ago this summer, my wife and I left church together as a newly married couple. This picture of us walking into bright sunlight is my favourite photo from that day. In the months before the wedding, to help us get ready for life together, we enrolled on a Marriage Preparation Course. Two aspects of the course… Continue reading Marrying grace and truth
Grace + Truth 