A review and reflection on the novel Light Perpetual by Francis Spufford Francis Spufford is a great writer. His book Unapologetic is the one of the most original books about Christianity I have read and his debut novel Golden Hill won numerous awards. Light Perpetual is his second work of fiction. (Fascinatingly, Spufford has also… Continue reading The holiness of existence
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.
The divine circuit breaker
A few years ago I was accused by someone of serious malpractice and discriminatory behaviour. I believed the accusations were cynical and baseless and contested the claims, but it led to a legal action which involved a whole week in court. In the end, I was completely exonerated but the whole process involved a considerable… Continue reading The divine circuit breaker
The ironic consequences of believing we are good
The podcast, The Holy Post gives a thoughtful Christian take on current affairs which is fresh, well-informed, non-tribal and often very funny. In a recent episode they interview the New York Times journalist and Yale lecturer David Brooks. Brooks is an interesting voice because he is a moderate conservative who spend much of his time… Continue reading The ironic consequences of believing we are good
Reality is liberating, even when things go wrong
This week, something I was responsible for did not go well. I won’t go into details, but I found it difficult and stressful. Like everyone, I want to be involved in work and activities which go well and to be associated with things which are effective and successful. But of course, it is when things… Continue reading Reality is liberating, even when things go wrong
Lazarus: friendship, trust and joy coming back to life
This week I was invited to speak at an event hosted by Lazarus, a new initiative to support people affected by homelessness which is launching in London. Lazarus runs communities made up of formerly homeless people living alongside young professionals. Over 250 people live in their communities across Northern Europe and Mexico. It is yet… Continue reading Lazarus: friendship, trust and joy coming back to life
The 7 Deadly Sins of Managing People Badly…
Herd immunity
Amid all the terrible carnage caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, one of the most chilling aspects is the vice-like grip that Putin has over the Russian media. Hearing Russians who believe that this war is merely a defensive ‘special military operation’ to ‘de-Nazify’ and liberate Ukraine is almost as scary as anything else.… Continue reading Herd immunity
Bringing our anguish and complaints to God
Like so many, I am in anguish about the horrific war unfolding due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Feel-good, trite forms of Christianity are of little use in these times. The seriousness and desperateness of the situation reminds me of something Eugene Peterson said: “This is an urgent time and the task of the Christian… Continue reading Bringing our anguish and complaints to God
Good fiction helps us live in the real world
There has been a lot of articles and discussion about how parents can talk to their children about the horrific war in Ukraine. See these examples from UNICEF, Sky and the New York Times. One element that is often overlooked is captured in C.S. Lewis' quote above: the role that great stories and good fiction… Continue reading Good fiction helps us live in the real world
Why I am not a pacifist
When I worked in a large hostel in East London, one of my colleagues intervened when he saw one of the residents threatening someone else. The aggressor turned on my colleague, punching him hard enough to break his jaw, and then left the hostel. I was on shift the next day when the attacker returned.… Continue reading Why I am not a pacifist
Grace + Truth 