Christmas resources in response to Christian nationalism
With Tommy Robinson planning a Christmas event in London on 13 December, we'd like to highlight some resources from the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT), the Evangelical Alliance, the Centre for the Study of Bible & Violence, and many others, to help churches respond with wisdom, peace and Christlike love
The rise of the far right and the link to a rise in Christian Nationalism should be of concern to us all. The Faith and Society Team is working on providing some helpful resources which should enable churches to think these issues through and encourage them as they embark upon their mission and discipleship in ways that truly reflect Kingdom values and Christlike love. These resources will be coming soon.
However, in the meantime, we’d like to highlight a few more urgent items that are relevant to this Christmas period, and some thoughtful reflections for context.
1 JPIT's recent blog responds to Tommy Robinson’s planned Christmas rally on 13 December in London, with a simple reminder that at Christmas, Love came down for everyone, and asks "Is this love"?
Read it here: jpit.uk/is-this-love
2. Alongside that blog, JPIT is hosting some guidance and resources, entitled ‘Good news of great joy… for all!’, from a wide breadth of Christian voices. The hope is that this ‘rapid response’ resource for local churches will equip churches and ministers wanting to navigate these complexities and discern faithful ways forward: to celebrate Christmas with a clear message of love for all our neighbours and (in small but significant ways) resisting agendas of division and hostility.
All this, while recognising that even within our own church communities there will very likely be a wide diversity of experiences, hopes, fears, and political views.
To access these resources, visit: jpit.uk/joyforall
3. Finally, we’d commend to you these thoughtful pieces from The Evangelical Alliance and the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence which address some of the wider context…