Bijan Omrani, author of 'God is an Englishman: Christianity and the Creation of England', delves into England's spiritual heritage and the profound influence of Christianity on its culture. He discusses the waning of faith in modern times and whether this matters for society. Notably, he highlights a revival of interest in traditional worship among younger generations, raising the question of a growing discontent with secularism. Omrani also touches on the historical role of the Church in charity and public service, stressing its cultural significance that is often overlooked.
31:52
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Uncovering Hidden Medieval Paintings
In a local church, whitewash was removed to reveal ancient medieval paintings beneath.
These included a damaged 'doom painting' with religious imagery, showing the Reformation's impact on church art.
insights INSIGHT
Church Charitable Legacy
The English churches, across denominations, founded many major charities and social reforms.
This charitable impulse deeply shaped England's welfare state and public morals.
insights INSIGHT
Christian Roots Shape Dignity
Christian dignity of every person opposes assisted suicide ethically.
Without this foundation, dignity is wrongly defined by health and cognition.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
George Herbert's poetry is characterized by its profound spiritual depth and innovative use of language. Born into an aristocratic family, Herbert initially pursued a career in public service before dedicating his life to the Church of England. His poems often explore themes of faith, doubt, and the relationship between humanity and God. Herbert's unique style incorporates vivid imagery and intellectual conceits to convey complex theological ideas. As a priest, he emphasized the importance of pastoral care and personal piety, influencing generations of religious thinkers. His works remain a cornerstone of religious literature, celebrated for their artistic merit and spiritual insight.
John Donne
John Donne
King James Bible
The Authorized Version
Various Authors
The King James Bible, also known as the Authorized Version, was commissioned by King James I of England to resolve disputes over different translations of the Bible. It was translated by 54 scholars over seven years, using the best Hebrew, Greek, and Latin texts available. The KJV consists of 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. It was first published in 1611 and has since become a cornerstone of English-speaking Christianity, known for its poetic and influential language[2][3][4].
God is an Englishman
God is an Englishman
Bijan Omrani
Book of Common Prayer
Church of England Staff
The Book of Common Prayer is a foundational liturgical text of the Anglican Communion. First published in 1549 during the reign of Edward VI, it was compiled primarily by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. The book includes complete forms of service for daily and Sunday worship, such as Morning and Evening Prayer, the Litany, Holy Communion, and services for baptism, confirmation, marriage, visitation of the sick, and burial. It has undergone several revisions, notably in 1552, 1559, 1604, and 1662, with the 1662 version remaining the standard for most Anglican churches. The book is known for its beautiful language and its role in shaping Anglican doctrine and worship[1][3][4].
Bijan Omrani joins Damian Thompson to talk about his new book God is an Englishman: Christianity and the Creation of England. They discuss the spiritual and cultural debt the country owes to Christianity. The central question of Bijan’s book is ‘does it matter that Christianity is dying in England?’. The faith has historically played a disproportionate role in many areas of English life that we take for granted now – for example, by shaping both charity and the welfare state. Yet this is influence is often ignored as congregations shrink and the UK slides into secularism.
But are there unexpected grounds for hope? The publication of God is an Englishman has coincided with a modest but surprising revival of traditional worship among Millennials and members of Generation Z. Is there, as the book puts it, a ‘weariness of the young' with what secular society is offering them?’ And could we see the eventual flourishing of a smaller but purer English Christianity?
Best of the Spectator 
