Monthly Archives: July 2013

Justin Welby v Wonga

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has caught the public imagination by proposing to set up credit unions to replace payday loan companies. There was a public relations snag – there is a lot of money in this business and … Continue reading

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Miraculous holiness

According to the early Christian Clement of Alexandria (Stromata 3.59.3), the second century Gnostic theologian Valentinus taught that Jesus did not evacuate any of his food. Because of his supreme self-control the food did not decay inside him. The idea … Continue reading

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Spirituality and the environment

‘The Earth is the Lord’s’, the title of Modern Church’s annual conference this year, doesn’t stipulate who was responsible for the sun – which made its presence felt more than usual. We baked! Our Conference Chair, Margaret Barker, introduced us … Continue reading

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Identity and truth

Belonging or believing: which determines the church’s character? For a few weeks earlier this year the UK tabloids were full of a story about footballers. The captain of a team had had sexual intercourse with the partner of a team … Continue reading

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Change and danger

Once again the Church of England’s General Synod agonises over women bishops. Clearly we aren’t just debating facts and figures. Strong gut feelings abound on both sides. For some the lack of gender equality is not only an injustice which … Continue reading

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