Photo by vectors icon on Pexels.com Immigration to the UK continues to be a big story, with many sub-plots. The most recent episodes involving asylum hotels, local protests and flags. ‘France is not war’ The asylum system leaves the public confused. They tend to be most sympathetic to those fleeing from war. But those people… Continue reading The flag is up: the Good Samaritan versus Lazarus – by Jonathan Thomas
Category: Ethics & Christian living
Prophet or loss? Counting the cost of speaking truth – by Stephen Kuhrt
Amos lived in the 8th century BC in a village called Tekoa. He was called to proclaim God’s Word to the political and religious elites of the time. This is a fictional imagining of the personal cost involved...and what this means for speaking up for truth today. Tension Amos was late home that evening from… Continue reading Prophet or loss? Counting the cost of speaking truth – by Stephen Kuhrt
The path less travelled (& what we can learn from younger people)
Ethan Malcolm is a 22 year old student who decided earlier this year to take up the challenge to walk the entire length of the country, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. He doing it to raise funds for Hope into Action and is aiming to cover the 12oo miles in 60 days. Hope into… Continue reading The path less travelled (& what we can learn from younger people)
The heavy burden of self-justification
Photo by lalesh aldarwish on Pexels.com When I was manager of an emergency shelter for rough sleepers in central London, I led a team which was constantly in danger of arguing and falling out. Many difficult decisions had to made every day and it was hard to avoid the chaos of our resident's lives infecting… Continue reading The heavy burden of self-justification
Glad All Over & rising up on wings like Eagles!
Yesterday I had an incredible day that I will never forget. I was at Wembley stadium watching my team Crystal Palace win the FA Cup, the first major trophy the Eagles have ever won in their 120-year history. We have been to an FA Cup final twice before, in 1990 and 2016, and both times… Continue reading Glad All Over & rising up on wings like Eagles!
The Anti-Greed Gospel
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Review of The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward; Malcolm Foley (BraznosPress, 2024) On a flight to New York last year, I watched Martin Scorsese’s film Killers of the Flower Moon. It is a… Continue reading The Anti-Greed Gospel
‘The Satanic Panic’ and other conspiracies…
January 1986. I was thirteen years old and had decided to ask a girl out for the first time on a proper date. I had met her at a youth group I went to on Friday nights. Its important to appreciate what a nerve-wracking experience it was to ask someone out in the pre-mobile phone… Continue reading ‘The Satanic Panic’ and other conspiracies…
‘Do not settle for a desktop theology’
Photo by Stanislav Kondratiev on Pexels.com Across the spectrum of Christian culture, one characteristic is shared by almost all traditions: the church uses a lot of words. Church services are jam-packed with songs, hymns, bible readings, sermons, liturgy and prayers. Religion and theology produce untold books, podcasts and blogs (like the one you are reading). And… Continue reading ‘Do not settle for a desktop theology’
Pope Francis: ‘We are tired of systems that produce poor people’
The death of Pope Francis today has created an incredible wave of sadness and appreciation for his life and ministry. Since becoming Pope in March 2013, Jorge Bergoglio's generosity, simplicity and passion for social justice has inspired those both inside and outside the Church. But as Paul Vallely's superb biography, Pope Francis: Untying the Knots shows, Bergoglio's journey to becoming… Continue reading Pope Francis: ‘We are tired of systems that produce poor people’
Humble confidence
Photo by Isaac Taylor on Pexels.com In Luke's account of the last supper, just after Jesus has shared the bread and wine, an argument about their comparative status breaks out among the disciples: “A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.” In response, Jesus says: “The kings… Continue reading Humble confidence
Grace + Truth 