On a recent visit to Rome

I recently got back from a break in Rome. I’d imagined what visiting it would be like for some time and was really fortunate to be there with my wife. Experiencing it with her and sharing our different thoughts and reactions to it was a real gift. I’ll try and break-down some of the things …

Authority and Idolatry

Recently I've been challenged to think about the role images play in the Christian church. I notice a lot of Orthodox and Catholic polemicists against Protestants in particular discuss the importance of the seven ecumenical church councils. By this they really are placing emphasis on the last, the second council of Nicea which validates the …

Amusing myself to death

I've been struggling for some time in knowing where I fit in with Christianity. I know I am a Christian of some sort. It is God's truth, love, wisdom and beauty that keep me going, outside of it I am nothing. Despite this the conflict between my personal convictions and trying to work them out have been …

What does Sheffield have to do with Jerusalem?

I recently heard the news that a friend of mine had been accepted for ordination within the Church of England. This would normally be good news but I have not been able to shake the sense of conflict I experienced over the decision. The reason why? To be honest, its because she is a woman. …

Benedicite, omnia opera Domini

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye Waters that be above …

Getting to grips with the Book of Common Prayer

I have to catch myself sometimes, I never thought I'd be this kind of Christian. Even a couple of years ago I was a fairly generic brand of miscellaneous evangelical. I'm still trying to work through what I think and where its leading me, part of this is getting my head round the challenge and …

All good things on Earth and Heaven

I saw this post today in the Croydon Guardian about a Priest who is attempting to reengage with the local parish by carrying out a blessing on a local pubs beer. The article reads.. Next week, the holy communion of booze and the Bible will be consecrated at one of the more unusual Thursday night drinking sessions to …

Richard Burton reads the haunting poem ‘The hound of Heaven’ by Francis Thompson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gToj6SLWz8Q

The Heavenly Banquet

I would like to have the men of Heaven in my own house; with vats of good cheer laid out for them. I would like to have the three Marys, their fame is so great. I would like people from every corner of Heaven. I would like them to be cheerful in their drinking. I …

Men, women and ministry

I was reading this post advocating egalitarianism earlier today and thinking over the implications of it. For myself I was raised loosely egalitarian and in an existential sense do not see any cause for women to not operate in many of the same categories men do. I am happy to work under and submit to …