Richard Chartres, Bishop of London – thank you
He radiates everything that a prince of the Church ought. There's a certain solemnity; a spiritual authenticity caped in holy gravitas. He exudes authority, grace and peace, like the Anglicanism…
Leadership
Church in Wales being hounded to appoint Jeffrey John the next Bishop of Llandaff
The Church in Wales is the Anglican Church in Wales, and it is disestablished. It's appointments procedure is therefore an entirely internal matter, at some arms' length from the kingdom of politics. Notwithstanding this, a whole odium of politicians has…
Rev’d Dr Gavin Ashenden resigns as Chaplain to the Queen
After a conversation instigated by officials at Buckingham Palace, it is with regret that the Rev'd Dr Gavin Ashenden – theologian, academic, columnist and occasional contributor to this blog –…
“Not very presidential”? That’s precisely why Donald Trump is now President of the United States
When Barack Obama spoke, it was the voice of a god. He intoned overtures of conciliation, his themes were honoured; his words raised the hopes of the world. He was,…
The Reformation 500 years on: do we need 95 New Theses for the 21st century?
‘Protestants’ acquired their name because they were first and foremost, protesters. They publicly declared their dissent. In the expressing of dissent from and rejection of prevailing mores, they understood themselves…
Understanding the Ministry of the Church Today: a lecture in honour of the late Rev’d Canon Dr Ian Tomlinson
The Rev'd Canon Dr Ian Tomlinson died peacefully at his home on Monday 31st October. He had asked the Very Rev'd Professor Martyn Percy, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, to…
Ukip would be safe, safer and safest with Suzanne Evans as leader
Ukip is about to choose a(nother) new leader. Will it be Suzanne Evans or Paul Nuttall? That's the choice (we can safely discount John Rees-Evans for.. all.. sorts.. of.. reasons..).…
The search for the Top 100 UK Christians – nominations now open for #CranmerList2016
It's that time of the year (again.. comes round quickly, doesn't it?) when our minds turn naturally to consideration of year's momentous events, significant people and lists of achievements: best…
Martyn Percy: Justin Welby “is preparing the ground for a complete volte-face on human sexuality”
Here follows Martyn Percy's response to Adrian Hilton's second letter on 'Renewal & Reform' and the ministry and leadership of Justin Welby. It was a simultaneous exchange with Hilton's third…
Would the appointment of Bishop Martyn Percy offer remedy against Justin Welby’s asserted theological ignorance?
Here follows Adrian Hilton's response to Martyn Percy's second letter on 'Renewal & Reform' (R&R) and the ministry and leadership of Justin Welby: Dear Martyn, Thank you for your letter.…
Martyn Percy: the Church of England is being “reformed by bankers.. theology is ruthlessly excluded.. populism and narcissism are in the ascendancy”
Following Martyn Percy's first letter and Adrian Hilton's response, here is Martyn Percy's response to Adrian Hilton's first letter: Dear Adrian, Thanks for your letter, which gave me plenty to…
Adrian Hilton on Justin Welby: “he is challenging the ‘principalities and powers’ of institutional existence”
Here follows Adrian Hilton's (yes, Ed.) first letter to Martyn Percy, reflecting on the mission of the Church of England and the character and leadership of Justin Welby, Archbishop of…
New Bishop of Oxford enthroned with L-plates
Bishops don't much like the word 'enthroned' these days. Perhaps it's a bit too imperial or exalted for modern notions of accessibility and equatability. So now we focus on their…
Don’t bash the Archbishop of Canterbury – pray for him
Funny. Defend Nigel Farage against Justin Welby, you're "racist" or a "bigot"; defend Justin Welby against Nigel Farage, you're a "feminist-humanist-pro-Marxist" (amongst other things). There is no apparent via media…
Nigel Farage says Archbishop of Canterbury “should go”
"It's a great shame that the head of our established church is not actually prepared to stand up and fight for our Christian culture in this country," Nigel Farage told…
The Bishop of Grantham is gay and celibate – so bloody what?
It will come as a surprise to many to hear that there is a Bishop of Grantham; moreso that he is no relation of the Dowager Countess. But to…
Spiritual influence: bullying voters with threats of hell is no different from threats of physical violence
Following the 2015 Tower Hamlets election court judgment which saw the disqualification of the elected mayor Lutfur Rahman for a number of corrupt and illegal practices, Sir Eric Pickles…
The great canon doctor Martyn Percy implicates Justin Welby in "secular sorcery"
"Everything you need to know about the Bible can be summed up by the great canon doctor Martyn Percy: 'The Bible did not arrive by fax from heaven.'," writes…
There is neither Leaver nor Remainer; for you are all one in Christ Jesus
Leavers are xenophobic, insular, narrow-minded, self-regarding, racist, confused, brainless, extremist, hateful, economically-illiterate, un-Christian little-Englanders and swivel-eyed conspiracy theorists. Remainers are sneering, aloof, arrogant, vicious, supercilious, evil, unhinged, hypocritical, ageist,…
Salt & Light: the gospel, the EU, and the misappropriation of God's word
Steve Thomas is the International Team Leader of Salt & Light - "an international family of churches together on mission". Their core commitments are impeccably orthodox and undeniably evangelical,…