The extremist Muslim terrorist organisation Islamic State (formerly ISIS) recently captured Nineveh in northern Iraq. The atrocities they have since committed there led me to revisit this ancient story... The word of Yahweh came to Jonah the Jew. "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because the stench of its wickedness… Continue reading Jonah and Islamic State – by Matt Valler
‘The Human Propensity to F*** things Up’
“One of the major obstacles to communicating what belief feels like is that I’m not working with a blank slate. Our culture is smudged over with half-legible religious scribblings. The vocabulary that used to describe religious emotions hasn’t gone away…instead, it’s still in circulation, but re-purposed, with new meanings generated by new usages... Case in… Continue reading ‘The Human Propensity to F*** things Up’
From the DRC to London: helping Theodore realise his hope of education – by Rachel Henry
Theodore*, 18, comes from the North East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He was brought up in a region where there are regular attacks on civilians by armed groups. When he was a child, his family fled an attack on their village and settled in a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts… Continue reading From the DRC to London: helping Theodore realise his hope of education – by Rachel Henry
Cranmer and the toxic nature of anonymous blogging
For those of you who don’t know, Cranmer is the name of a blog which comments on religious and political issues. He describes himself as “Bishop of the Blogosphere, Pastor of the World Wide Web and Chaplain to the Digital Archdiocese”. Cranmer has won a large following by expressing right-wing, traditionalist perspectives on both religion and… Continue reading Cranmer and the toxic nature of anonymous blogging
If a picture is worth a thousand words…
Today's Church Times cover is an absolute classic.
Why I support the strikers – by Jonathan Chilvers
Today I have been out supporting the Public Sector strikers in Warwickshire. Some passers-by came up to the picket line to show their support. However, listening on the radio, a number of people have been hostile towards strikers. There have been three points people have made against the strikes: 1) "There’s no money" The 'cuts' mantra has been… Continue reading Why I support the strikers – by Jonathan Chilvers
The worst decision ever made by English cricket
Photo by Patrick Case on Pexels.com One of the key reasons that the Football World Cup captures people's imagination is because everyone can watch each match as they are broadcast on free-to-watch channels. This means it is a collective, national experience. Imagine what it would be like if the World Cup matches were just on Sky and the rest… Continue reading The worst decision ever made by English cricket
Why I’m supporting Bosnia at the World Cup – by Jonathan Chilvers
England may be perennial hopefuls at World Cup Finals, but for Bosnia & Herzegovina it will be the first time they have made it to the competition since the country declared independence in 1992. I’ll be supporting them when they kick off in their first match on Sunday. Bosnia is a country born out of… Continue reading Why I’m supporting Bosnia at the World Cup – by Jonathan Chilvers
When the church leaves the building (for real this time)
My last post shared a great clip from a Hollywood film which featured a powerful example of the church sharing its message beyond the doors of its building. But at the end of the day, it is a film clip. It's not actually real. So, its great to share another video of a real example of the church getting out of… Continue reading When the church leaves the building (for real this time)
When the church leaves the building…
This is my favourite scene from the Oscar-winning 1954 film On the Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando. One of the key characters is a priest who is encouraging the dock workers to stand up against the corruption of the Union bosses. One docker, Kayo Dougan, is prepared to testify in court against the violence and extortion. But the day… Continue reading When the church leaves the building…
Grace + Truth 