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The Idea of a Twenty-First Century (Catholic Heritage) University: Part 3, The New Dark Ages

The New Dark Ages Over the weekend, I read a review of Nigel Biggar’s latest book, The New Dark Ages. Biggar is Professor of Theology at Oxford who came to prominence recently because his earlier book on Colonialism was ‘cancelled’ by Bloomsbury before being taken up by William Collins and becoming a best seller. TheContinue reading “The Idea of a Twenty-First Century (Catholic Heritage) University: Part 3, The New Dark Ages”

The Idea of a Twenty-First Century (Catholic Heritage) University: Part 2, Truth(s)

Truth(s) This takes me to the core of Newman’s argument, particularly in the lectures he delivered to the university in Dublin, the first five sections of the book. Here Newman is keen to emphasise the place of Catholic theology as central to his understanding of what a university should be. More accurately, however, and givenContinue reading “The Idea of a Twenty-First Century (Catholic Heritage) University: Part 2, Truth(s)”

The Idea of a Twenty-First Century (Catholic Heritage) University: Part 1, Community

I gave a paper at an event at Birmingham Newman University to celebrate the recognition of St John Henry Newman as Doctor of the Church. This is the text, in three parts: Summary In summarising what I have tried to address this morning, I would highlight three points that I have learnt from reading CardinalContinue reading “The Idea of a Twenty-First Century (Catholic Heritage) University: Part 1, Community”

Is it Time to Abandon Decolonisation?

The concept of decolonisation seems to have been particularly prominent in my mind over the last month or so. Or, rather, the language of decolonisation has been prominent. The more I have heard the word, the less I feel that I understand what it is about. Is it, therefore, time to abandon the term? DecolonisationContinue reading “Is it Time to Abandon Decolonisation?”

Coming to Terms with the Cognitive Study of Religion

One of the things that came out of my recent visit to Krakow, as a delegate to the 25th World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religion (doesn’t that sound grand, and rather nineteenth century?), was a clarity on what my next book (perhaps two books) might be. I spent much ofContinue reading “Coming to Terms with the Cognitive Study of Religion”

On Being a Beekeeper

Today is apparently World Honey Bee Day. This is also the time of year when the beekeeper is busy, manging the hives and making sure that the bees have the necessary frames to build their stocks of honey. As I was cleaning out the garage, therefore, over the weekend, I noted the absence of allContinue reading “On Being a Beekeeper”

Leo: What’s in a Name?

When I was much younger, merely a child, I collected lions. They might be small sculptures, toys, pictures, whatever. It was one of those things that meant that my many aunts never had to decide what to buy me for Christmas, or a birthday. They simply found a lion, or sent me a card withContinue reading “Leo: What’s in a Name?”

The Re-Emergence of Class

Reflecting on the local elections last week I have felt – for the first time in my adult life, that is since the late nineteen seventies – the need for an analysis based on class. What might we mean by ‘class’ in 2025? It will be very different from the structures of class smashed byContinue reading “The Re-Emergence of Class”

Would the Fairies like Elon Musk?

As I was reading round material about myth, fairy stories and the use of story in religion I came across a comment that suggested one of the purposes of fairy stories was to ridicule the rich and powerful. One particular butt of the stories was the traditional figure of the miser. This is a character,Continue reading “Would the Fairies like Elon Musk?”

Facing a ‘Pandemic’ of Sexual Abuse

A speaker on the radio earlier last week, discussing the recent review of child sexual abuse across the UK and the recommendations contained in the report, claimed that we are facing a pandemic of sexual abuse. I was horrified by this statement, not because of the situation it purported to describe, but because of theContinue reading “Facing a ‘Pandemic’ of Sexual Abuse”