Dear readers, I hope that wherever you are reading this, you are safe and well. This post is a short reflection on my writing, reading and thinking in 2020, and a big ‘thank you’ for reading the results. This year, perhaps more than ever, I’m thankful for books. In those times when the pandemic sapped … Continue reading Thank you to my readers in 2020
This is part two of four of ‘Rethinking the Liberal Quaker Jesus’, where I critique early liberal Quaker Edward Grubb’s understanding of Jesus. You can find the first part of the series here. B. Grubb’s use of the Bible In the previous section, I suggested that Grubb has fallen into the same trap the ‘Lives … Continue reading Rethinking the Liberal Quaker Jesus (2/4)
‘How does Jesus speak to you today?’ (Advices & Queries No.4) Who is Jesus and why does he matter? Who do Quakers in Britain say Jesus is? A more technical way of asking this is: what is a liberal Quaker Christology? In this series of four blog posts, I’ll offer some thoughts to help us … Continue reading Rethinking the Liberal Quaker Jesus (1/4)
(Disclaimer: Stephen is a personal friend, and gifted me a copy of his book, although this review is unsolicited.) Quakers in Britain are in decline, numerically speaking at least, and we don’t quite know what to do about it. Is numerical decline even a problem? We’re not sure! We don’t want to push our faith … Continue reading Book Review: ‘Seeking Paradise’ by Stephen Lingwood
I'm delighted to announce the publication of my first ever academic journal article. 'Quaker Eschatology in Britain through the Lens of Narrative' is based on the first part of my MA thesis, and is published in Quaker Studies. You can read it here.
‘If the future is under God’s control, why do we need to do anything in the present?’ I was recently asked a version of this question when working with a group of Quakers on hope. They were asking how to connect the need to act here and now with a confidence that, eventually, all will … Continue reading Hope in a transcendent God
In case any of my readers missed it, back in July I wrote a piece for the Woodbrooke learning blog called 'Stronger Together – a Quaker reflection on Pride'. In it I reflect on some of the ways I've been effected by lockdown. You can read it here. [Featured image photo by Steve Johnson on … Continue reading Stronger Together – a Quaker reflection on Pride
'If we have come to Quakers for a quiet life, then the only sort of community we will find is a pretend one.' I've written a piece about the joys and challenges of being a faith community on the Woodbrooke blog. I think it's rather good! You can read it here. [Featured image by jean … Continue reading The cost of the ‘Blessed Community’
Every now and again I encounter a book that gives me such a jolt it demands to be talked about. I've just finished James Cone's 'A Black Theology of Liberation', first published in 1970, and it has stirred me up. I found it both exciting and disturbing, and I need to process what I've read. … Continue reading James Cone’s ‘A Black Theology of Liberation’ and white liberal Quakerism
In my work around issues of race and whiteness with Quakers, it’s not uncommon to hear white people express an overwhelming feeling of guilt. Learning about whiteness – discovering your nation’s history of colonialism, realising how you’ve benefitted from the privileges of whiteness , remembering the times you didn’t challenge a racist comment, facing your … Continue reading Setting aside white guilt
I write about anything I want to write about.
Thoughts on life, faith, music and meaning
Facing the future in an age of crises
The Blog of Author Steven Colborne
sketches and experiments in thinking about things as related to God
Updates on the Ministry of Friends United Meeting in Belize
Trying to reduce plastic waste in every day life
I'll work out what it's about as I go along
Thoughts on being a Quaker in the 21st century
Exploring Quaker spirituality, history, faith & practice
The river is within us, the sea is all about us. T S Eliot, Four Quartets
May love have the victory!
Folk School • Ecovillage • Farm
on trial for disrupting WMDs
Disestablishmentarianism in the UK, okay?
Blog for poet and singer-songwriter Malcolm Guite
