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”
Tag Archives: History
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)”
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?”
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?”
The End of an Era
Last week I attended the funeral of a dear friend. He was the parish priest of the church my partner and I attended whilst at university in Manchester. My partner also lodged at the church for a couple of years. We were associated with the church for about ten years in total, from 1984 toContinue reading “The End of an Era”
The Structures of Racism
I have just finished reading David Aaronovitch’s book on conspiracy theories. There is much of interest in the book and, especially in the present climate, it is very thought provoking. What is perhaps most interesting is that Aaronovitch takes the discussion back to the end of the nineteenth century and shows that the conspiracy theoryContinue reading “The Structures of Racism”
The Fickleness of Scholarship
This is the first of four blogs that will allow me to look back on the different threads of my quartet. It has been about a year since I began this blog in earnest, and so I thought this would be a good point to reflect and sum up something of where I have arrived.Continue reading “The Fickleness of Scholarship”
The Trigan Empire
The surprise gift this Christmas was a copy of Tales from the Trigan Empire, a large comic, or graphic novel, volume published in 1989. This is clearly not the kind of thing that I would normally read, but it brought back so many memories of childhood. When I was eleven or twelve (1973-74) my parentsContinue reading “The Trigan Empire”
Histories and Futures: A Reflection on the Generations
A new year, a new future. One of the things that struck me most forcefully in 2022 was the thought of my father’s age. On March 7th, 2022, he would have been 95. That is terrifying in so many ways. My father was the youngest of six children, the only boy after five daughters. HisContinue reading “Histories and Futures: A Reflection on the Generations”
Martin Stringer Quartet 