Imam to preach Eucharistic sermon at University Church, Oxford
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford dates back to 1086. It was the first building adopted by the University of Oxford in the 13th century, and…
Another Jesus
Advent Sunday: people don’t know Jesus, and that’s our fault
There's a lot of confusion about Jesus: there are so many ideas about who he was or is that it almost seems as though there are lots of Jesuses. He is a baby in Bethlehem, a carpenter from Nazareth, a…
That wedding sermon: Bishop Michael Curry’s critics would have carped at St Paul
St Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34 NIV): Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are…
Welby: Alastair Campbell is probably not going to heaven
"Media seem to be going for gay sex and Queen funeral angles in my @BritishGQ interview with @JustinWelby," tweet-gripes Tony Blair's former spinmeister Alastair Campbell, " - loads more in…
If it’s the “so-called Islamic State”, why is Mohammed not the “so-called Prophet”?
The BBC and Channel 4 News appear to have a policy of referring to the ISIS/ISIL/Daesh as the "so-called Islamic State". Senior BBC News Producer David Waddell has explained why…
Redefining hate: from diabolical anti-love to any criticism of the fragile self
This is a guest post by by the Rev'd Dr Gavin Ashenden. _____ During the General Synod debate on homosexuality I took to twitter. It’s like sitting up in the…
Michael Gove sugar-coats Jesus and preaches fake good news
This is a guest post by the Rev’d Dr Gavin Ashenden, former Chaplain to the Queen, who is presently in the (complicated) process of leaving the Church of England. ___________________________…
The Church of England should not tear itself apart over homosexuality and same-sex marriage
The General Synod of the Church of England is due to 'take note' (or not) of the Bishops' report ‘Marriage and Same Sex Relationships after the Shared Conversations.’ In the…
Archbishops call on Queen to repent of being Supreme Governor of the Church of England
In this 500th anniversary year of an obscure monk called Martin Luther banging his 95 Theses onto the door of Castle Church in Wittenburg, the event which history marks as…
Muslims flock to Mass to show solidarity and compassion
Praying before a blasphemous icon of another Jesus, standing in the shadow of a sacrificial cross which they deny, beneath the dome of a cathedral church steeped in idolatry,…
Thy Kingdom Come: a week of prayer for confidence to make Jesus known
"Jesus Christ calls every person to follow him. As Christians it’s our duty and joy to share that invitation. That’s why the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting…
TGI Monday: The 'missing years' in the life of Jesus
What about the 'missing years' of Jesus' life which the Bible doesn't tell us about? Where was he? What was he doing? Did he journey to India and train…
Third Sunday of Advent: rejoice in the recognition of Jesus
Today is Gaudete Sunday: into the season of waiting, preparing and expecting, we inject a note of delight and good cheer: 'Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I…
Second Sunday of Advent: the gift of a child
It is this Second Sunday of Advent, and the trees are going up. It's beginning to feel a bit more like Christmas. Children all over the world are eagerly…
Fr Raniero Cantalamessa – Preacher to the Papal Household – to speak at Synod Eucharist
As the Queen and Supreme Governor of the Church of England inaugurates the tenth General Synod on 24th November, it has been announced that the ceremony will be preceded…
Against heresy: if Jesus called God 'Father', who are we to conflate Him with Mary?
'For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist' (2Jn 1:7). The…
Westminster Abbey acknowledges Mohammed in succession of prophets
"Peace be upon all auspicious prophets of God, from Adam, Noah and Abraham to Moses, Jesus and Mohammed Mustafa.." That wasn't quite how the prayer was rendered in Westminster…
Holy Monday: cleansing, anointing and indignation
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the…
Palm Sunday: the Messiah rides a donkey
Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini. The Son of God, Messiah, the Hope of Israel enters Jerusalem on a donkey. As we enter this Holy Week – the most…
This is what a feminist theology looks like
Is this really what a feminist looks like? A feminist politician, perhaps. The men in particular feel compelled to humour this particular cause of equality, and so they don…