Category - Jesus

Christianity versus ‘the church of power’

Simon Barrow — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:26:08 +0100

Christians have moved from non-engagement to engagement in politics, says Simon Barrow, but often in domineering and selfish ways. To argue for church as alternative community is not to advocate either 'secularism' or 'religionism', but the recovery of authentic Christianity in a plural environment.

South African president in hot water over new Jesus remark

Ecumenical News International — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:08:22 +0100

South African churches and the country's newly elected president, Jacob Zuma, are at loggerheads again over remarks made by the leader that his African National Congress party will "rule until Jesus comes".

How turning the other cheek defies oppression

Walter Wink — Mon, 04 May 2009 09:00:22 +0100

Many who have committed their lives to working for change and justice in the world simply dismiss Jesus' teachings about nonviolence as impractical idealism, says Walter Wink. This is because they have not understood their true subversive nature and context.

A different kind of loyalty

Simon Barrow — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:15:44 +0100

Some traditional loyalties bind us to dominant economic, political, social and religious systems, says Simon Barrow. The Gospel of Jesus turns such commitments upside down.

‘Red Letter Christians’ and progressive evangelicalism

Tony Campolo — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:51:55 +0100

Evangelicalism in America is undergoing a transformation says Tony Campolo. 'Red Letter Christians' have a progressive outlook - but one rooted in taking Jesus seriously.

Inaugurating Jesus?

Martin E. Marty — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:33:15 +0000

There are many people who are not Christians who revere Jesus, says Martin Marty. But when his name is invoked in the civic arena they hear assertions of majority privilege in the religious realm, where privilege often has taken form in power against others.

Christmas means compassion not crusading

Jonathan Bartley — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:59:34 +0000

Those who 'crusade for Christmas' will end up losing the very festival they would defend, says Jonathan Bartley, because they miss its true meaning.

Rescuing God from our attempts at belief

Simon Barrow — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:37:51 +0000

It is in welcoming a poor child into the world and into our hearts that we begin to meet a love that cannot be contained or used as a pawn in any war of position, says Simon Barrow.

Which Jesus are we expecting?

Simon Barrow — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:30:15 +0000

The season of Advent is about waiting and anticipation. But what kind of Jesus is the church expecting by the way it behaves, asks Simon Barrow. What is it truly mortgaging itself on?

Disestablishing the kingdom

Tom Hurcombe — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:26:29 +0000

In the 'United Kingdom' it is our political inheritance which is defining how we see God and the place of the church, rather than a vision of the kingdom of God which is shaping our politics, says Tom Hurcombe. The vision of Jesus and monarchical assumptions are fundamentally antagonistic.