My article on Tommy Robinson’s Christmas carol service created all kinds of responses. BBC Radio 4 and The Times Radio got in touch and the organisation Stand Up to Racism asked me to speak at their counter-demo on Whitehall held just before Tommy Robinson’s event. Criticism But as with any widely read article, I also… Continue reading The Polar(isation) Express: reflections on Tommy Robinson’s carol concert
Author: Jon Kuhrt
Jon Kuhrt has worked with people affected by homelessness for over 30 years. He is a former government adviser on how faith groups address rough sleeping and is now CEO of Hope into Action. He lives with his wife in Streatham, south London and they have 3 children. He likes football....but loves cricket.
Tommy Robinson’s Carol Concert: show naïve grace or face the ugly truth?
The far-right campaigner, Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, claims to have become a Christian in prison. And this Saturday, his Unite the Kingdom movement has organised a Christmas Carol service in Whitehall. John Clifton wrote thoughtful article about Robinson's challenge to the church about how it engages men. He did not approve of Robinson… Continue reading Tommy Robinson’s Carol Concert: show naïve grace or face the ugly truth?
‘I need money for a hostel bed’: how do we respond to such appeals?
Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com For many people living or working in towns and cities, being asked for money is an everyday experience. It can often cause feelings of distress, guilt and confusion - especially at this time of year. Last week I was on the underground platform at King's Cross in London and… Continue reading ‘I need money for a hostel bed’: how do we respond to such appeals?
Pain & happiness: the magnifying effect of Christmas
Last year the animated family film That Christmas written by Richard Curtis was released. A line in the film really struck me: “I always think that Christmas is a bit like an emotional magnifying glass. If you feel loved and happy, Christmas will make you feel even happier and more loved. But if you feel… Continue reading Pain & happiness: the magnifying effect of Christmas
Moral Revolution: Rutger Bregman’s ‘must-listen’ Reith lectures
Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian who is giving the BBC Reith Lectures this year. I listened to the first lecture of the series, A Time of Monsters this weekend, and I was deeply struck by Bregman's moral force, conviction and clarity. I would encourage all G+T readers to listen to the full 30 minute… Continue reading Moral Revolution: Rutger Bregman’s ‘must-listen’ Reith lectures
Resisting BS & telling a Better Story
Taken from talk given at Streatham Baptist Church 23/11/25. Full text here: A Better Story: grace & truth or watch below. 15 years ago I was driving in south London and as I stopped at traffic lights, my son, who was 5 at the time, said: ‘Dad, what’s a marital affair?’ I wondered what he… Continue reading Resisting BS & telling a Better Story
Roots & fruits: why so many homelessness charities were set up by churches
Clockwise: collecting the gleanings from the harvest, the good samaritan, the prodigal son In a recent article, I wrote about the old, battered bible I bought in 1993, the first year I started working with people who were homeless. It was an anecdotal and subjective piece focussed on how this book has been a companion… Continue reading Roots & fruits: why so many homelessness charities were set up by churches
Keyboard warriors will not inherit the kingdom of God
This post is taken from the 2025 Hook lecture 'Prophet or Provider?' delivered by Jon Kuhrt on 21st October at Leeds Minster. Read the full text here or watch the video below. When it comes to responding to poverty, should the church play the role of prophet or provider? Well, we should not accept the… Continue reading Keyboard warriors will not inherit the kingdom of God
‘A light to my path’: my battered, 32 year old working companion
In 1993, I was in my second year studying social work at Hull University. I had just read Ron Sider’s book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger which relentlessly emphasises how much poverty and social injustice are core themes in the bible. It gave me further reason to question why many of the Christians… Continue reading ‘A light to my path’: my battered, 32 year old working companion
Living off the fumes of Faith (in the City)
Forty years ago, the Church of England published the Faith in the City report which focussed on the plight of the inner cities and urban poverty in the UK. The report hit the headlines, generated significant debate and sold 50,000 copies. A key reason was because it angered the conservative government, with one member of the… Continue reading Living off the fumes of Faith (in the City)
Grace + Truth 