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The Evangelical Liberal is a blog to explore more open and liberated ways of being a Christian, particularly for those who have struggled to find their way within the evangelical tradition. Read more-
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Category Archives: Evil
Christianity and Jihad – is there such a thing as a Just or Holy War?
A recent ‘Agnostics Anonymous’ opinion piece written in a Christian magazine argued that proselytising faiths such as Christianity and Islam have always relied on war and violence to spread their message. It’s a point worth thinking about – is there … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Controversies, Evil
Tagged Aquinas, C.S. Lewis, fighting, holy war, jihad, just war, Narnia, non-violence, pacifism, war
8 Comments
I’m a monster, you’re a monster – reflecting on ‘Jihadi John’ and Jimmy Savile
There’s been a lot of talk about monsters recently on news and comment channels. So Jimmy Savile, abusing his celebrity status to prey sexually on vulnerable children, was a monster. Mohammed Emwazi aka “Jihadi John”, beheading innocent civilians and aid … Continue reading
Posted in Controversies, Evil, Sin, World events
Tagged George Bush, Jihadi John, jihadism, Jimmy Savile, media, mercy, Mohammed Emwazi, monster, paedophile, personal responsibility, terrorism, Tony Blair
23 Comments
Suffering II – extraordinary suffering, and ‘good’ suffering
“The thread of suffering runs so deeply through the fabric of our existence that were it pulled free the remnant would unravel beyond recognition.” Judy Hirst, Third Way Magazine Last time I suggested that some suffering may simply be a … Continue reading
Posted in Evil, Good Friday, Suffering, Tragedy
Tagged evil, pain, problem of pain, redemption, Suffering, the cross, theodicy
5 Comments
Sin II – the inner struggle
So as I started to say last time, there seems to be an essential, elemental struggle within us between what we want to do and who we want to be; between our good aspirations and our innate and often unhelpful … Continue reading
Posted in Evil, Grace, Psychology, Sin
Tagged dark side, entropy, inner struggle, redemption, Rolf Harris, self-deception, sin
7 Comments
When the very worst happens
In recent posts I’ve been looking at questions around God’s leading and speaking, and God’s plans for our lives. But what happens when everything appears to have gone completely wrong, awry, off course? What are we to do when the … Continue reading
Posted in Anger at God, Dark night of the soul, Divine intervention, Evil, Love of God, Suffering, Tragedy
Tagged bereavement, God's will, goodness of God, grief, loss, pain, Suffering, theodicy
5 Comments
The nightmare after Christmas – the dark side of the Nativity
One of the things I do for work is to schedule ‘on this day in history’ tweets vaguely relating to our broad subject area. We’ve currently got an exhibition on about the artist J.M.W. Turner, and so I’ve been researching … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas, Dark night of the soul, Evil, Incarnation, Mental health, Psychology, Tragedy
Tagged Bedlam, Bethlem Hospital, Christmas, despair, Herod, J.M.W. Turner, madness, mental health
10 Comments
Madeleine McCann and the character of God
I approach this post with considerable caution and trepidation. One, because this is not a theoretical situation but real people’s lives. Two, because I have no direct personal relation to the situation and know nothing but what I’ve seen in … Continue reading
Posted in Anger at God, Divine intervention, Evil, Suffering, Tragedy, World events
Tagged atheism, deism, goodness of God, Maddie, Madeleine McCann, Suffering, the problem of pain, unanswered prayer
18 Comments
Why Harry Potter is not Satanic
Okay, I know that all the Harry Potter controversies flared up and died aeons ago. But I’ve long wanted to write about it, and I have the excuse that it’s vaguely back in the religious news, with ‘The Teenage Exorcists’ … Continue reading
Posted in Arts, Book reviews, Evil, Literature, TV and film
Tagged Dumbledore, fairy tales, Harry Potter, j k rowling, magic, Satanism, Teenage Exorcists, Voldemort, witchcraft
10 Comments
What to make of The Teenage Exorcists?
I don’t know if any of you caught the recent BBC documentary on ‘The Teenage Exorcists’ – three all-American girls who, under the mentoring of Pastor Bob Larson (father of one of the three), have a dramatic deliverance ministry. If … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Charismatic, Controversies, Evil, Fundamentalism, Hell, Heresy/blasphemy, Mental health, Psychology, TV and film
Tagged Bob Larson, Brynne Larson, deliverance, demonic possession, demons, evil spirits, exorcism, Harry Potter, karate, Satan, the devil, The Teenage Exorcists, unclean spirits, witchcraft
23 Comments
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