Last week seven mosques were shut down by the Austrian authorities, who cited as the reason that, “Parallel societies, political Islam and tendencies toward radicalization have no place in our country.” In the wake of this, Grace Dalton asks whether Western Europe now has any place for “parallel societies” of all kinds. You can find

In the first of our reflections on Gregory of Nyssa’s third sermon on the Lord’s Prayer, we ask whether Gregory believed that all Christians truly have access to God. Gregory of Nyssa was a fourth-century Christian theologian and one of the so-called ‘Three Cappadocians’ who made such a significant contribution to orthodox Trinitarian belief. You

In the BBC’s Daily Politics broadcast on 22 May, presenter Jo Coburn asked the show’s guest for the day Jacob Rees-Mogg MP whether his well-known religious beliefs were “a problem” and a bar to his holding high office. Are politics and the media simply becoming intolerant of Christianity? You can find the programme on the

In the BBC’s The Daily Politics broadcast on 22 May, presenter Jo Coburn asked the show’s guest for the day Jacob Rees-Mogg MP whether his well-known religious beliefs were “a problem.” Grace Dalton asks whether baiting Christian politicians about their beliefs on sexuality is now the “new normal.” Marvellously Marmite Moggie was — again — on the

The Egypt Exploration Society recently published what is believed to be our earliest manuscript of the Gospel According to Mark, dated by handwriting analysis to 150—250 A.D. What does this newly published manuscript tell us about the New Testament text? The publication of the manuscript, designated P137, was reported in an informative article by Elijah

Grace Dalton considers the implications of the Guardian’s article of 21 May. Whilst I’ve seen “Guardian reading” used as a slur on several recent occasions lately, I’ve been appreciating much of its content — however, hints of its readiness to affirm the stereotype of Christians leaning right politically has been frustrating. It was exciting then

The purpose of etimasthe is to highlight the misrepresentation of Christianity in the UK media (as well as pointing out when it’s represented fairly!), and to educate people on the early history of Christianity. But what does ‘etimasthe’ mean? Short answer: “he was despised.” The word is taken from Isaiah chapter 53 verse 3 in

It was great to see a Christian sermon — and such a passionately delivered one — being watched by millions on Saturday, at the royal wedding of Harry and Meghan at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. But what was missing from it? You can watch the Most Reverend Michael Curry’s fourteen-minute sermon here and read

On 14 May the Christian aid agency Barnabas Fund reported, “We are pleased to see the mainstream media are covering the plight of the predominantly Christian Kachin, another persecuted ethnic minority in Myanmar. Let’s pray that the world wakes up to the increasing religious persecution in SE Asia.” Here at etimasthe we concur. Their statement

In a guest post, Christian blogger Grace Dalton considers whether April’s issue of GQ magazine was right to describe the Bible as a “Book You Don’t Have to Read.” From 21 Books You Don’t Have to Read by GQ (April): “The Holy Bible is rated very highly by all the people who supposedly live by