Reformed theology – and the coercive rhythms of today’s culture
Rebecca Chapman
James K. A. Smith is professor of philosophy at Calvin University, Michigan, where he holds the Gary & Henrietta Byker Chair in Applied Reformed Theology and Worldview.
He trained as a philosopher with a focus on contemporary French thought, Smith has expanded on that scholarly platform to become an engaged public intellectual and cultural critic. An award-winning author and a widely-travelled speaker, he has emerged as a thought leader with a unique gift of translation, building bridges between the academy, society, and the church. His most recent book, How To Inhabit Time was reviewed in en last month.
Greater love
Rebecca Chapman
Church leaders, clergy, and pastoral workers have gathered for a day based around the Greater Love Declaration, reaffirming the historic Christian understanding of love as described in John 15:13 – ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’
The morning opened with Matthew Roberts unpacking Jesus’ definition of love, and its radical message for sex, family and society. Attendees then heard from Dr Julie Maxwell on how children are being harmed by early sexualisation, with schools teaching gender ideology, queer theory and sex positivity, and how these lead to harm. Two thought-provoking panel discussion offered practical tips on how to speak out. The day closed with Ian Paul examining the church’s consistency in its teaching on sex and marriage, with humour and fervour.
Justin Welby, Easter and forgiveness: A gospel moment on Radio 5 Live
Monday morning isn’t where I usually expect to hear the gospel explained with vigour and vim. If I’m honest, I’m often not anticipating much in the way of either first thing.
So tuning into Radio 5 Live last week for a catch up on the weekend’s news, I didn’t have much in the way of evangelistic expectations. But then presenter Nicky Campbell announced that the focus of the show was to be forgiveness, following the interview of the former Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday 30 March with Laura Kuenssberg.