This is a response to Martin Kuhrt’s article Dividing body, soul & spirit: Gnostic heresies live on Hi Martin, We don’t know each other but I subscribe to Grace + Truth and I read your recent article. I also do the same job as you in a different part of the country. I found your… Continue reading Listening to the ‘others’ we talk about
Category: Ethics & Christian living
The ecclesiastical doughnut: why the C of E is ungovernable
Last week saw yet another Church of England report into safeguarding and institutional failings in the handling of abuse allegations. Almost 400 new cases involving actions by clergy, officials and volunteers against children and vulnerable adults were uncovered. In a foreword to the report, Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell, the archbishops of Canterbury and York, wrote of… Continue reading The ecclesiastical doughnut: why the C of E is ungovernable
Rigorous religion or sloppy spirituality?
In his book Faith, Hope and Carnage, singer Nick Cave shares some fascinating insights into how faith has influenced him and his music. He says: “The word spirituality is a little too amorphous for my taste. It can mean almost anything, whereas the word ‘religious’ is just more specific, perhaps even more conservative, has a… Continue reading Rigorous religion or sloppy spirituality?
‘Service in life; hope in death’: Welby’s counter-cultural message
I can understand the feelings of those who struggled with aspects of yesterday’s funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. However much respect and gratitude there is towards the Queen, the fusion of militarism, opulence and imperial power alongside Christian worship should create dissonance and provoke questions. The medium cannot be separated from the message. It’s a struggle… Continue reading ‘Service in life; hope in death’: Welby’s counter-cultural message
The God of small things
We are witnessing an incredible response to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The thousands queuing for hours on end to file past her lying in State will be talked about for generations. And the funeral tomorrow will be a unique, global event like no other in history. The power of reaction to her death… Continue reading The God of small things
Ronald Sider 1939-2022: an obituary by Elaine Storkey
With the death of Ronald Sider we say ‘adieu’ to one of the most significant Christian voices of the last 60 years. Born in in Erie, Ontario, Canada in 1939, he became known for his rejection of any dichotomy between evangelism and social action and his claim that the gospel encompassed the whole of life.… Continue reading Ronald Sider 1939-2022: an obituary by Elaine Storkey
Why I am not celebrating this jubilee – by Neil Charlton
Dear Elizabeth II, I genuinely wish you and your family well, but I will not be participating in your Platinum Jubilee celebration. I and many others see no reason to celebrate 70 years of your ascension to the British throne because your leadership, and that of your predecessors, have presided over one of the greatest… Continue reading Why I am not celebrating this jubilee – by Neil Charlton
The freedom of commitment
I have lived in Streatham, south London for almost 20 years. Over this time, I have spent many hundreds of hours on Streatham Common: playing with my kids, running a football club, volunteering on Love Streatham fun days, walking my dog and talking with friends. I even held my 40th birthday there which included a… Continue reading The freedom of commitment
Jesus and guns: faith, politics & polarisation
It would be hard to find a more succinct summary of the polarisation of religion and politics than the campaign bus of Kandiss Taylor who is running for Governor in Georgia. Three starred bullet-points tells you all you need to know about her core commitments: Jesus. Guns. Babies. When I first saw this picture, I… Continue reading Jesus and guns: faith, politics & polarisation
‘A ship in harbour is safe. But that is not what ships are for’
The church services over Easter are my favourite of the year. The contemplation of Maundy Thursday, the grit of Good Friday, the waiting on Saturday and the joyful hope of Easter Sunday. But for me, the best thing about church this Easter weekend was deep conversations and prayers that I shared with three local people… Continue reading ‘A ship in harbour is safe. But that is not what ships are for’
