Useful theology from a Quaker-shaped Christian
This February, fellow Quaker theologian Ben Wood and I are leading a five-week online course, journeying through Christian mysticism. We'll be reflecting on the 'negative theology' of Pseudo-Dionysius, the homoerotic mysticism of Symeon the New Theologian, Simone Weil's mysticism of surrender, the active mysticism of Howard Thurman, and the visions of Julian of Norwich. As… Continue reading Journeys in Christian mysticism: a taster
Another year of writing, speaking and teaching has come to an end, and I want to thank you for engaging with my work. Whether you’ve participated in one of my Woodbrooke courses, listened to me presenting Pause for Thought on the radio, or read one of my blog posts, I’m truly grateful for your time and attention. My theological work is my ministry, it’s what truly fulfils me, so I’m very fortunate that there are people like you who value and support it. In this post I summarise and reflect on my ministry in 2025 and think about what it might look like next year.
Why might Quaker meeting for worship be like searching for mushrooms? Find out in my latest Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0m7gfv1
I'm pleased to report that my review of Zachary Moon's book Goatwalking: A Quaker Pastoral Theology (Brill, 2021) has been published in the latest issue of Quaker Studies. You can read it here: https://quakerstudies.openlibhums.org/article/id/24976/
Quakers have always called each other ‘Friends,’ but what does this mean? Is ‘Friend’ just a quaint hangover from our past, or could it be a site of rich theological reflection? Emerging from my PhD research on Quaker theology and Whiteness, I’ve developed an online course for Woodbrooke reflecting on what it might mean for… Continue reading Whose Friends are we?
Great news! I've just signed a contract with Broadleaf Books to write the tentatively titled "Unapologetic: a queer Quaker approach to the Bible." I'm beyond thrilled.
I’m sure there are many of my fellow Quakers who would say that wrath and vengeance cannot possibly be part of who God is, particularly the God revealed in the life of Jesus. But what if wrath and vengeance are actually necessary aspects of the Divine? What if divine anger and retribution are good things?
There are still some places left on my online book group which begins on Monday 23 June with live Zoom sessions at 19:00-20:30 (UK time) every Monday for six weeks. We'll be reading A Testament of Devotion, a classic of Quaker spirituality. You can sign up here: https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/book-group-a-testament-of-devotion-by-thomas-kelly/ Thomas Kelly (1893-1941) was a Quaker from… Continue reading Join my online book group reading ‘A Testament of Devotion’ by Thomas Kelly
Content warning: death, homophobia In late 2022, my friend Ben went with his theatre bestie Beccy to see a musical about the televangelist Tammy Faye who died of colon cancer. This prompted Ben to get a check-up, after which he was diagnosed with stage 4 anal cancer. The cancer eventually killed him on 25 March… Continue reading In memory of Ben Whitehouse (1979-2025)
Catch me on BBC Sounds presenting two more Pause for Thoughts, on the themes of 'What Makes Me Happy' and 'Mothering Sunday': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kyx5sp https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0l0bcpv
Jolly Quaker 