Naomi was our guest back in August, talking about her experience of Islam

Paula talks about Judaism in August 2025

Part one of our series based on the book "Holy Envy" by Barbara Brown Taylor. This week we reflect on some insights from Hinduism - or more accurately, "Sanatana Dharma.

Hell isn't even in the Bible, but many Christians still think it's a real place. Sheol, Hades, and Tartarus ARE in the Bible and most Christians DON'T think they are real places. So how did it all go to Hell?

The cross was violent. It was sacrificial. But the violence wasn’t God’s. It was ours. And God didn’t demand it. God endured it—to show us that love was never something we had to earn.

Cycles don't break themselves. They need to be seen. They need someone brave enough to name them. To step outside the ritual and say: "No more." That's what Jesus did. He didn't just step into the cycle of violence — He exposed it, absorbed it, and undid it from within. He showed us: The price was always too high. The God we thought needed sacrifice was never in the audience. And once you see that... you are free to choose a different way. The way of mercy. The way of peace. The way of forgiveness that doesn't wait for someone else to make it safe first.

We all start with mystery. But the shape we give it—especially when we talk about the cross—matters deeply. For many of us, the dominant story we inherited was this: We are sinful. God is holy and just. Sin must be punished. Jesus took our punishment. Now we can be forgiven - if we believe the right things about Jesus. This is often called penal substitutionary atonement—though no one called it that in Sunday school. And to be honest, it has its appeal. It gives a clear problem and a clear solution. It uses Scripture. It makes grace feel costly. It’s also not without biblical support. There are courtroom metaphors in Paul. Hebrews talks about sacrifice. You can make that case. But over time, we began to notice the cracks. This version of the story made God sound like a judge who can’t forgive without blood. A father who won’t let it go until someone gets hurt. It made Jesus the nice one who steps in to protect us from the angry one. And maybe worst of all—it made love sound like a legal loophole.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, following the reformation - a new form of Christianity took hold and tightened its grip across the British Isles. It replaced the earthy, joyful, nature-infused spirituality of the Celts with a colder, harsher, more systematised theology. We know it today as Calvinism.

Christ wears "two shoes" in the world: scripture and nature. Both are necessary to understand the Lord, and at no stage can creation be seen as a separation of things from God.

During Lent 2025, inspired by John Philip Newell’s "Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul", we’ll explore the voices of Pelagius, Brigid of Kildare, Alexander John Scott and others, rediscovering a Celtic spirituality that has always been present - even if often overlooked.

During Lent 2025, inspired by John Philip Newell’s "Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul", we’ll explore the voices of Pelagius, Brigid of Kildare, Alexander John Scott and others, rediscovering a Celtic spirituality that has always been present - even if often overlooked.

First week of Advent 2024

Joseph and his brothers make a discovery together

An introduction to the documentary hypothesis

The question "does God exist" is almost meaningless - given the many possible understandings of the word "God". A better question might be, "Does there exist anything the universe, a phenomenon worthy of being called God"?

The question "does God exist" is almost meaningless - given the many possible understandings of the word "God". A better question might be, "Does there exist anything the universe, a phenomenon worthy of being called God"?

“I have now seen the One who sees me.”

A complicated story sure to provoke questions

Cain and Abel weren't the only feuding brothers in the ancient world.

Reading Genesis means being comfortable with mythological language. Myths may not contain historical facts, but they can still hold plenty of truth.