Wright’s wrong reaction

David Robertson  |  Comment
Date posted:  1 May 2020
Share Add       
Wright’s wrong reaction

N.T. Wright

The well-known theologian/author/ broadcaster N.T. Wright had an article in Time magazine in March in which he cautioned against ‘knee jerk’ reactions from Christians.

Amongst the ‘silly’ reactions he included arguing that the coronavirus was a sign or a punishment. He told us that rationalists look for an explanation; romantics look for relief; but that the biblical position is to lament. As with all N.T. Wright’s writings it is well written, thought provoking and stimulating.

He set me thinking about the knee jerk responses – including his own. There will be those like the worst of the American televangelists who seek to monetise every disaster by claiming that they have power over it (and please send them the money to use that power). The press can always find a pastor somewhere in the tens of thousands of churches who will solemnly pronounce that Covid-19 is because of abortion/same-sex marriage/Disney. The wackier you are, the more likely you are to get on the telly.

Share
< Previous article| Comment| Next article >
Read more articles by David Robertson >>
Comment
Didn’t we have a lovely euthanasia debate…

Didn’t we have a lovely euthanasia debate…

There were several things about the recent debate in the House of Commons on euthanasia which were revelatory of where …

Features
The UK church in crisis: seeing the whole picture

The UK church in crisis: seeing the whole picture

'I saw the Crescent, you saw the whole of the Moon,' sang the Scottish band, The Waterboys in 1985. It’s …

Subscribe

Enjoy our monthly paper and full online access

Find out more

Looking for a job?

Browse all our current job adverts

Search