Category - Christianity

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.

Christianity and the practice of justice

Puck de Raadt — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:28:02 +0000

Christian thought has contributed a great deal to ancient and modern conceptions of justice, says Puck de Raadt, reviewing a recent book by Nicholas Sagovsky. But justice is at heart a matter of community and action.

New Religions and Prophecy

Jordan Tchilingirian — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:04:07 +0000

Start: 22/11/2008 - 09:30

End: 22/11/2008 - 16:30

Prophecies, even those that have apparently failed, continue to be widely accepted. Believers and sceptics will assess the role of supernatural revelations in contemporary religions.

Towards an economy worth believing in

Simon Barrow — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:34:10 +0100

A paper summarising some recent interventions from faith bodies on the debate about economy, globally and locally. It also highlights the historic links between Christian thought/action and oikonomia (the management of the household), some different stances on markets, and Ekklesia's own research paper, Is God bankrupt? - a response to a British and Irish churches' report on 'prosperity with a purpose', published in 2005. A brief update has been included relating to the 2008 credit crunch / banking crisis.

Simon Barrow

Indian PM recognises Christianity as part of national life

Anto Akkara — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:19:10 +0100

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh observed that "Christianity is part of our national heritage" when general secretary of the World Council of Churches Dr Samuel Kobia called on him on at his residence in New Delhi.

How 'unity' can sacrifice justice

Savi Hensman — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:47:58 +0100

Mercy, not sacrifice, is the Christian keynote when dubious appeals to unity are used in religion and in society to thwart calls for social justice, says Savi Hensman. She cites recent examples in Japan and in world Anglicanism.

Common sense, mercy and sacrifice

Keith Walton — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:02:27 +0100

Much religion is dripping in sacrificial language, says Keith Walton. The appeasement of the gods is a common theme in many traditions. But in the biblical tradition, love that does justice becomes the core of a new perspective, based on a different understanding of who God is.

Bishop Nazir-Ali in new ‘Christian nation’ and Islam row

staff writers — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:28:07 +0100

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, who earlier caused anger by suggesting some Muslim communities were ‘no go areas’ has created a fresh argument by claiming that the collapse of a ‘Christian nation’ has left Britain in a moral vacuum.

Christian Research data defended, but church decline continues

staff writers — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:20:54 +0100

The Christian Research organisation, whose latest data survey on the decline of UK church attendance has annoyed the Church of England, has defended its work against accusations of being misleading.

Are Christians facing discrimination?

Jonathan Bartley — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:42:43 +0100

Constant Christian claims of discrimination don't hold water, says Jonathan Bartley. They are used to excuse privilege, and evade the more demanding self-giving dynamic of the Gospel.