Useful theology from a Quaker-shaped Christian
It’s been a few years since I attended a whole Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), and even longer since I’ve shared some BYM reflections. It was definitely the right decision to be there. The long weekend was full of hugs from old friends, making new connections, and hearing how my teaching and writing has made a… Continue reading The thorn of theological diversity: Reflections on Britain Yearly Meeting, May 2026
I've got several exciting courses coming up with Woodbrooke this year. Do take a look and book your place. In 2026 I'll be: exploring the spirituality of the 16th century Spanish mystic Ignatius of Loyola, getting to grips with how to pray, reading The Screwtape Letters, C. S Lewis' classic book of spiritual reflection told… Continue reading Learn with me in 2026
I'm back on the radio! You can find me presenting Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2 each Monday in February in the early hours. In this first instalment, I talk about one of my favourite films, Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (2016), and why my sister is a much more accomplished linguist than me. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0mygqkf
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.
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
It’s no secret that Christians do terrible things, or that terrible things have been done in the name of Jesus and the Christian God. As a scholar of Christian theology and racism I know that Christianity has some serious problems. But recent events in my life have brought this truth home to me in a deeply personal way, to the point where I’m questioning whether, as a queer person, being a Christian makes any sense.
Jolly Quaker 