Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com By Tony Anthony I was listening to BBC Radio 2 earlier today, with Tina Daheley sitting in for Jeremy Vine, and the conversation turned to the experience of losing faith (starting at 1.05). The phone lines were open, and one by one, people shared stories. These weren’t shallow grievances. They… Continue reading Losing faith in a silent God
Category: Theology
Let’s get the flock out of here
Photo by Pille Kirsi on Pexels.com I went to a seminar a few years ago led by Mike Frost where he outlined four functions of church: Discipleship: learning and growing in following Jesus Worship: praise and prayer to God, participating in the sacraments Fellowship: building relationships within the church Mission: going out to share the gospel in words and actions The… Continue reading Let’s get the flock out of here
What does a ‘quiet revival’ mean for social action?
The Bible Society's recent report The Quiet Revival gives evidence of a significant rise in church-going in the last 6 years, most notably among younger people, 'Gen Z' aged 18-24. The research provides solid data of changing behaviour which supports the anecdotal, intellectual and media-driven indicators we have seen in recent years. It backs up… Continue reading What does a ‘quiet revival’ mean for social action?
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
‘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’
The Hope of Easter: my journey from darkness to light – by Emma Heath
For many Easter is a family time, the relief of a long weekend with good food, friends to catch up with and the excitement of the celebrations of Easter Sunday. Yet for many, especially those gripped in addiction, Easter often feels lonely and just another day of pain, where the longing for community, relationships and… Continue reading The Hope of Easter: my journey from darkness to light – by Emma Heath
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
Divine hope, dusty religion
Photo by David Besh on Pexels.com Everyone reading this will have some good reason to be disillusioned with the church. I know so many people of my generation who have given up on church. Some have deconstructed their theological beliefs, others have become ground down by conflict or disappointment. Many continue to 'believe' in theory… Continue reading Divine hope, dusty religion
I don’t want to be a Christian who…
By Jon Swales I don’t want to be a Christianwho forgets how to feel -who hides behind answers,quotes verses like shields,and silences sorrow with a song. I don’t want a faithof romanticised abstraction,where resurrection is polishedand the cross is theory.Give me something real-flesh and blood,grief and grace. I want to weepwith eyes wide open.Tears that… Continue reading I don’t want to be a Christian who…
Challenging Power, Changing Practice & Deepening Spirituality: The future of UK Christian social action
by Jenny Sinclair and Jon Kuhrt Download full paper as a PDF Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’ Jeremiah 6:16 Poverty is getting worse Christian social action… Continue reading Challenging Power, Changing Practice & Deepening Spirituality: The future of UK Christian social action
Grace + Truth 