Isaiah 9.2–7; Luke 2.1–20 a sermon at the Midnight Eucharist, Christmas Eve 2006 by the Bishop of Durham, Dr N. T. Wright Sing a song of Christmas, of emperors and angels; Sing a song of Christmas, of darkness now past; Sing a song of starlight, of shepherds and of mangers; Sing a song of Jesus, […]

When we are considering radical biblical politics there are a number of texts in the Judeo-Christian tradition that can inform our discussion. In Egypt the Israelites endured nearly four centuries of oppression. During that time, as far as we know, the people didn’t see any sign of liberation on the horizon. Then, one day, God […]

A few weeks ago, a newspaper reported asked me a familiar, but always challenging, question. What Bible texts do I look to as a basis for Christian environmentalism? What passages are most important in seeing the need to care for all of God’s creation?… ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, […]

In my view the Judeo-Christian Perspective is neither absolute, nor relative, but directive. It is not absolute – in the sense that it is the same message in different times and places. It clearly changes in relation to circumstances. But that does not mean that it is relative – in the sense that it is […]

A ‘historic’ letter from 138 prominent Muslims speaks to a desire to defuse tensions between the faiths. Miroslav Volf of Yale Divinity School praised the letter’s depth, calling it “historic, courageous, and marked by deep insight and generosity of spirit.”. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1015/p03s02-usfp.html?page=1

The message of Mahatma Gandhi, whose peaceful struggle helped birth an independent India and inspired countless people around the world, is needed now more than ever amid rising global tensions, intolerance and conflict, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today. Addressing the General Assembly’s first-ever observance of the International Day of Non-violence, Mr. Ban said that communities […]

By Lane Walker ” We thought it would be easier to see justice in the individual if we looked for it first in some larger field which also contained it. We thought this larger field was the state, and so we set about founding an ideal state, being sure we should find justice in it […]

http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/story/

A new study on The World Distribution of Household Wealthby the World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University (UNU-WIDER) launched on Tuesday 5 December 2006. I know that was 10 months ago, but I’ve only just seen it. I’m talking to some year 9 students about wealth and poverty next week […]

http://www.rainbowcastle.org/beepuzzle.html

The Beatitudes are like rungs on a ladder. Each one leads to the next. Remove any one of them, and you fall off the ladder. If you start noticing the image of God in the poor, if you begin to oppose those activities that cause suffering and bloodshed, no matter how meek and merciful you […]

Happy are we when our treasures cannot be quantified. Happy are we when our knowledge is tempered by mystery. Happy are we when our pain is held in the balm of love. Happy are we when our delight comes from beyond ourselves. Confession . Blessed are we when we let go of possessions for the […]