

The Church Times Podcast
The Church Times
News, interviews, book reviews, and discussion each week from the Church Times - the world's leading newspaper on faith and the Church.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 9, 2017 • 37min
Episode 12 - Election, London terror attack, Scottish marriage vote. Justin Brierley on his new book
This week, we take stock of church reactions to the general election result and look at how religious leaders have responded to the London terrorist attack. We also talk to Hattie Williams, in Edinburgh, about the vote of the Scottish Episcopal Church General Synod on same-sex marriage. Plus, Tim Wyatt talks to Justin Brierley on why, after ten years of talking with atheists, he is still a Christian.

Jun 2, 2017 • 28min
Episode 11 - Thy Kingdom Come, multi-lingual churches, plus Andrew Davison on craftsmanship
This week we hear from the Archbishop of Canterbury about this year's Thy Kingdom Come Pentecost prayer movement, and we discuss what role non-English-speaking congregations play in the C of E. Then, we speak to Andrew Davison about this month's Church Times reading groups book - The Case for Working With Your Hands by Matthew Crawford.

May 26, 2017 • 25min
Episode 10 - Reactions to Manchester, Commissioners results, plus Paul Vallely on the election
This week, we talk about the reactions to the Manchester bombing, and the role that faith communities have played in bringing people together. We also look at the Church Commissioners' annual results. Plus, Paul Vallely talks to Ed Thornton about why the election is shaping up to be about much more than just Brexit.

May 19, 2017 • 22min
Episode 9 - Party leaders on overseas aid plus Stephen Bullivant on the rise of the 'nones'
This week, we unpack what Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, and Tim Farron have written exclusively for the Church Times on international aid, and we hear about a possible breakthrough in early Christian history. Plus, Stephen Bullivant discusses his new research on a possible end to church decline and those who tell pollsters their religion is 'none'.

May 12, 2017 • 27min
Episode 8 - breakaway bishops in Jesmond, Welby denies endorsing May, and Justin Thacker on poverty
This week we look in depth at the consecration of a conservative Evangelical curate at Jesmond Parish Church in Newcastle and discuss the Archbishops' insistence their election letter was not a shift to the right. Also, Justin Thacker talks to us about his new book on a fresh theological perspective on poverty.

May 5, 2017 • 24min
Episode 7 - Welby in the Holy Land, and resettling refugees. Plus, Dave Tomlinson on prodigals
This week we discuss how many (or how few) refugees the Government will now bring into Britain, the Archbishop of Canterbury's trip to the Holy Land, and Pope Francis's strong words in Egypt. Plus, we speak to the Revd Dave Tomlinson about his new book aimed at those on the margins of faith and organised religion

Apr 28, 2017 • 26min
Episode 6 - Cathedral finances on the brink. Plus, Nick Spencer on if politicians should 'do God'?
This week we discuss competing claims over whether scores of cathedrals are about to go bust, bombs versus aid in Afghanistan, and what US bishops are doing about gun violence. Plus, Nick Spencer from Theos on how politicians do, or don't do, God.

Apr 21, 2017 • 30min
Episode 5 - HTB church plants, the snap election, and Dave Walker on Christian cartooning
This week we discuss into the ever-growing phenomenon of HTB church planting and what it means for the rest of the C of E, and look into how faith might come up in the snap general election. We also speak to Church Times cartoonist Dave Walker to find out just how he comes up with his ideas.

Apr 13, 2017 • 27min
Episode 4 - Peter Stanford on the 'Catholic dissident' Martin Luther
This week we speak to the historian Peter Stanford about his new book - published exactly 500 years after the Reformation began - a biography of Martin Luther.

Apr 7, 2017 • 25min
Episode 3 - Bombings in Syria, religion on the BBC, and the war on international aid
This week we discuss the gas attack in Syria and the United States's retaliation, sweeping changes to religious broadcasting at the BBC, and the Westminster Abbey service of hope after the terror attack. Also, we speak to Joe Ware from Christian Aid to hear how churches can fight back to defend the international aid budget.