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
Tag: War
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
‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ – a film by Peter Jackson [review]
I will never forget talking with an old school friend in the pub after he got back from the first Gulf War in 1991. He had left school at 16 and joined the army just as I went into the Sixth Form. In the Gulf he served as an officer in a tank regiment. At… Continue reading ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ – a film by Peter Jackson [review]
I don’t Vow To Thee My Country: the difference between patriotism and nationalism
This week a lot of people will sing the hymn ‘I Vow to Thee my Country’ at Remembrance services. The hymn, which combines the words of a poem by British Diplomat Sir Cecil Spring-Rice with a beautiful tune by Gustav Holst, is enormously popular. And having been sung at both the wedding and funeral of… Continue reading I don’t Vow To Thee My Country: the difference between patriotism and nationalism
Would Jesus bomb IS? – by Claire Mathys
Since the UK decided to join other Western countries in airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State (IS), many Christians have been wrestling with whether this decision was the right one. One question is whether bombing is morally justifiable. Another is whether it is strategically wise. Both sit against a backdrop of the 2003 Iraqi invasion… Continue reading Would Jesus bomb IS? – by Claire Mathys
Is war a necessary evil? – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)
War is the worst thing known to man. People dying at terrifying rates. The Chance of dying at any second. It is a horrible thing. Yet, sometimes it is necessary. You cannot let sometime storm into your country, kill everyone, abuse you and become powerful for being evil. When Hitler invaded Poland, they couldn’t just… Continue reading Is war a necessary evil? – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 11)
Grace + Truth 