Beer Christianity (Jonty Langley)

What's it really like at an American Christian college?

We speak to Emily about her experience studying and pushing herself as an athlete at Jerry Falwell Jr's Liberty University, and the effect of Christian college, church and sporting culture on mental health.

We share what works for us in terms of mental health and well being, discuss whether God wants us to focus on self-care, and the unhelpful and helpful things Christians can do when deal with mental health issues.

Also: our first listener voice-note! And preparing for advertisers. 

You're gonna love it. 

Emily's PR and full service digital agency is called ECW Solutions. You should hire her!

Her latest project is promoting a new album by Gregory David Roberts called Love & Faith.

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat.  

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Anti-poaching unit leader Picket Chabwedzeka defends rhinos from heavily armed and well funded international poachers in Zimbabwe. As the amazon burns and capitalism drives us towards a climate change catastrophe, Jonty, Ben and Laura discuss vegetarianism, big game hunting and beer. Jonty also looks at the seminary chapel that did a ritual of confession to plants. 

There's so much to say that we've split this episode in two. Part one does not contain fracking. Part two does. 

Email us at beerchristianity@yahoo.com and find us on Twitter: @beerxianity 

If you want to support Picket and his teammates, get in touch with the game reserve that will be soon be known as Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve, now called Stanley and Livingstone Private Game Reserve. 

We're available on Spotify and Apple Apple Podcasts. http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com/ 

The pub: Broadways, Didcot. The presenters: a 22-year-old feminist environmentalist and a 42-year-old Christian socialist. The beer: American and surprisingly hard to pronounce. Also: gin.

Beer Christianity episode 2: Ginesis features a long and funny interview with Harry and Chris, whose entire back catalogue you should get immediately. It also features reflections on Greenbelt festival 2019, which hosted Harry and Chris, Justin Welby, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Extinction Rebellion and Brass Against. You should go next year. Greenbelt is wonderful. And they have a thing called Beer and Hymns, which is as amazing as it sounds. 

Apologies in advance for the jukebox noise. It's a real pub. A real, great, noisy-ass pub. 

Many thanks to Greenbelt for making the interview possible and to Harry and Chris for being wise and funny about being Christian in a comedy space, what to do if you want to make it as an artist, and why Chris was washing Jonty's feet. Well. Foot.

What's worse: dressing your kid for Halloween or buying Nike clothes? Jonty gets irate, Drabs gets biblical and Lau-Lau gets drowsy. It's the third and final part of our 'is it okay for Christians to celebrate Halloween?' arc! Peter Laws shares the second installment of his Horror flick recommendations and we ask: is Halloween conforming to this world? Is it too commercial? Have we forgotten the true meaning of Samhain and Walpurgisnacht? 

The team drink beer and discuss all this and more at Berro Lounge in Didcot. 

Also a shout-out to Toast Ale who are making the world better through beer. Check them out and follow them on twitter: @ToastAle

You can follow Peter Laws on Twitter: @revpeterlaws

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

History does not begin when you start paying attention. And if you only start paying attention when white people get hurt, you are going to miss the root causes of the events you are seeing. 

As we recorded this episode, Gaza was being bombarded,  with the threat of more indiscriminate violence being made by Israeli authorities. UK politicians, including the so-called Opposition, were unwilling to denounce the killing of Palestinian civilians whose ability to leave Gaza was being controlled almost entirely by Israel. 

We weren't planning on recording this week, but the appalling uniformity of media and political coverage, demanding every Palestinian denounce terrorism while asking no supporter of Israel to denounce war crimes like the bombing and starving of civilians (or crimes under international law like settling occupied land) convinced us that we had to add our small voice in solidarity with the people of Gaza and the people of Palestine. 

It's not a massively planned episode, and at times we (Jonty mostly) get a bit cross. But if you cannot get cross when children are being bombed and the international community cheers (and Christians are posting 'I stand with the people doing the bombing' statuses, complete with praying hands emojis), when can you? 

A few things to say up front, in case you're unfamiliar with our style or our stance, and just as a matter of clarity:

1. We can never celebrate the killing of civilians, children and non-combatants, whether you do so as the fourth largest military in the world or as a smaller, independent militia. 
2. We reject Anti-Semitism as the evil it is. Jewish people are not to be blamed for the actions of a nation state, nor should they be made to feel unsafe for expressing their religious and/or ethnic identity. 
3. We remember the significant number of Palestinian Christians who are so often forgotten by the Church in the West. But we reject the idea that Christians should only care about 'our own'. Muslims, Christians, Jewish people and people of no faith are all equally deserving of our compassion.
4. We do not believe it is our place to police the ways in which oppressed people resist their oppression. We will not dictate the organisations through whom they must resist in order to earn our respect or compassion. 
5. We believe that Israel must end the Occupation of Palestine and that all people in the Israel-Palestine should have equal rights and equal access to resources, freedoms and protections. This is not the case currently and it was not the case for decades before the killing started over the last week. 
6. We are appalled that our Government and media in Britain, like many around the world, seem to support ethnic cleansing, the killing of civilians and potential genocide, when the people suffering are Palestinian. 
7. Malky isn't on this one because he was working and we recorded on short notice. 

This episode opens with a clip from this video by @rathbonemakesmusic on TikTok. It's worth watching the whole thing - it starts off talkign about the American War of Independence. 

It is worth noting that before recording we reached out to several Palestinian Christian groups, several charities and a major campaign that supports the cause of Palestinian solidarity, but, understndably, they were petty busy with other things. We do not want to take attention or space from Palestinians at this time, but we also did not want to make demands on individuals who are under immense stress already. Please see this episode as our attempt to engage our specific mostly Christian, mostly western, audience with another way for framing what is happenign in Gaza right now. 

Justice and peace now. Free Palestine.  

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote on Instagram, we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Can Christians be part of Extinction Rebellion? Hell Heaven yeah! Christian Climate Action actually came before Extinction Rebellion and Holly-Anna Petersen has long been active in both. She has a drink with Jonty and Laura and talks about how her faith informs her activism, when it's okay to upset the children and what she used to cry about after drinking in uni (it's super cute and wholesome!) 

You can follow Holly on Twitter at @HollyAPetersen 

Check out the Extinction Rebellion site and follow them at @ExtinctionR

Find out more about Christian Climate Action and follow them at @CClimateAction

And follow Extinction Rebellion London at @XRLondon 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

The Democratic Republic of Congo and its citizens should, by rights, be among the richest in the world.

Congo is a country with vast and rich natural resources, abundant  potential energy and a strategic place in the heart of Africa. And yet, Congo is currently home to one fo the worst humanitarian crises on earth, and its history is littered with genocides and wars that rival the scale of Europe's World Wars. The vast majority of Congo's people are not rich -- and many face brutality we cannot imagine. 

Since 1998, more than six million people have been killed in Congo, and the killing continues. And yet most of us have never seen a headline about it. 

In this episode, we talk to Maurice Carney, head and co-founder of Friends of the Congo, which seeks to raise awareness not only of the crisis in Congo, but of Congo's many great contributions to global life and the inspiring people who are doing amazing work there. 

Maurice talks to us about Congo's history, from the brutal period under Belgium's King Leopold II to the moment Western powers destroyed Congo's democracy and the current crisis, where Congo's neighbours continue to destabilise the East of DRC. 

We also talk about the connections between the Congolese situation and other crises around the world - like Palestine. And about the solidarity being shown between activists for all these causes. 

Covering topics like Reparations, Chinese involvement in Africa and how our own Governments might be facilitating violence in Congo, this is a fascinating episode. We learned a lot! We hope you doo, too. 

You can find out more about Friends of the Congo here and connect with their socials here: FotC Facebook,  @CongoFriends on Twitter and their presence on Insta.

You can find more about this episode at beerchristianity.co.uk

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

All Boris do is eat hot chip and lie. So we talk about that. As well as following up on listeners' letters, including more thoughts on what defines a Christian; slapping compassion into Tories; Boris Johnson's general awfulness and what we look for in a leader.

We also cover Geordie Kieffer (peace be on his house), whether it's better for some churches not to call themselves inclusive and what the hell you call it when women aren't allowed to preach.

We should have called this episode something about BB guns, but honestly I can't remember exactly what. Special shout out for anyone who both listens to the end and reads this and contacts us to tell us what that presumed title would be! 

ALSO, as bonus content: Jonty has a book out and we talk a little about how Malky illustrated the cover of Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, and what Laura thought of the book. Spoilers: it's awesome and you should buy it now.

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Is the essence of Christianity basically Judaism through a Zen lens? Can we understand some great artists and theologians better if we assume performative masculinity? Is there really a crack in everything? Is it where the light gets in? 

In Episode 92 of Beer Christianity we answer these and other important questions (like: Is later Leonard Cohen better than his earlier oeuvre? Is Avalanche the most devastatingly romantic song in history? Do you know what I'm thinking and who does vengeance belong to?) with Matthew Anderson, Pauline scholar, Leonard Cohen aficionado and author of Prophets of Love: The Unlikely Kinship of Leonard Cohen and the Apostle Paul. 

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Do we have a duty to get arrested for the planet? Should followers of Jesus demonstrate, protest and publicly oppose power? Are there causes more important than law and order? 

Laura goes to an Extinction Rebellion uprising and meets with the other Christians there, and she, Malky and Jonty talk about Christian attitudes to protest, democracy and demonstrations.

We also hear from Stephen Backhouse of the Tent Theology podcast, asking us some tough questions about nationalism and our own faith. We'd love to hear your thoughts on those questions and the episode generally!

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Do you feel like you belong at your church? Have you found your people? Do you feel at home?

In this episode we explore how much dogma, belief, diversity, relatability and stage of life determine whether we feel 'at home' in church. 

Along the way we ask what makes a really good home group (spoiler: it may be Jonty and Malky), we discuss  wehter the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints is right for people who dislike Joseph Smith, and Laura stages a coup d' podcast with the help of her fancy new mic. 

Identity, dogma, community and inclusion, all in this episode of Beer Christianity. 

Greenbelt Festival turned 50 this year. It is, quite possibly, the best festival in the world.

It used to be the coolest Christian music festival in Britain - which is a nice accolade, but, like being the coolest engineer at the felting workshop, perhaps one with limited meaning outside specific circles. But over the years, Greenbelt has translated the seminal courage that saw it host Christian rock and punk acts into a courage to engage with society and politics, to question ungodly orthodoxies in the Church and to create a space where all are welcome and all are encouraged to make the whole Earth welcoming, just and full of life.

There are also bands. Some you like, some you don't. There are people, some who are annoying, more who are ridiculously lovely. And there are things to do, from crafts and conversations to talks and gigs and happenings.

Through it all runs a seam of activism, a passion for justice and an affirming spirit that aims at more than allyship. It is a festival of solidarity and creativity, which happens to have (or perhaps 'naturally has') a high concentration of Christians (as well as spiritual folk, seekers, people of other faiths and none).

Greenbelt is good. And this year's expression was no exception. A space of queer freedom, leftist dreaming and agitatation for a better, more loving way. Whether you are a he, she, they or other, you can belong at Greenbelt. Whether you're happy in the Church, a refugee from it or don't understand what the fuss is about, Greenbelt is a space for opening to the numinous and the transcendent. 

Or it's just a time to chill, drink, boogie and bum around. It's kindof what you make it, but with a great well of depth and meaning just hidden in the trees, behind the portaloos, among the people you least expect it. It's a Kingdom festival and we love it. 

This episode was recorded on Saturday at Greenbelt, with a few reflections on Sunday thrown in after the fact. We discuss the acts we saw, the talks we attended, the vibe and the impact it has had on us. We talk beer 'n hymns, Ezra Furman, David Dark, LowKey Chali 2na, Harry and Chris and more. Come take a listen to get a sense of the vibe.

"Ramshackle, DIY and deeply Christian" - that's how Paul Northup describes Greenbelt festival in the first few years of it's 50-year life so far. It's also a pretty good description of this podcast.

Paul is Director of Greenbelt Festival, a "place to believe in" that seeks to embody a Newbigin-style 'no splits' Christian festival that engages deeply with faith, arts and justice.

Paul takes time (at the worst possible moment in the year, one month out from the festival), to talk to Jonty and Laura about how Greenbelt started (just a few years after Woodstock), the times when it lost support from churches and the potential for growth in the future.

Following on from our last two episodes about Mike Pilavachi, we ask him to compare attitudes to Greenbelt versus those to Soul Survivor at a pivotal time, as well as what people who had profound spiritual experiences can do with those experiences now.

We also cover the tensions of holding a progressive festival next to betting offices (in the past) and on land owned by a feudal lord (now) and what that tension means. AND we talk about the spiritual impact on at least one of our hosts, as well as many, many others.

Greenbelt has, as Paul tells us, always been a refuge for those who no longer feel at home in the traditional church. With Deconstruction growing in evangelical spaces, is a new audience about to discover this wonderful festival?

We hope so! You can buy tickets for Greenbelt 2023 (24-27 Aug) at Greenbelt.org.uk Buy tickets now! Ezra Furman is playing! And we LOVE Ezra!

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

If baptism means dying to sin, what does sin mean for progressives? And how is our treatment of people we deem sinful any different from the judgemental Christians we don't want to be?

Jonty meditates on this as well as the TV dramas The North Water and Midnight Mass.

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Socialism means 'bad', right?  That's what many of our churches assume. Whenever anyone suggests Socialism as an option, many Christians have a set of anti-Socialist questions locked and loaded, ready to fire. We decided to put some of them to an expert.

To us, Socialism is really just a system of making sure nobody is left behind, of controlling greed and making sure it doesn't result in needless suffering. 

It's not a perfect system/ideology (and there are many variations, versions and expressions), but if you've ever felt like the Capitalist system most of us live under is not working, this episode may be for you.

In it, we talk to Matt McManus, a lecturer in Political Science at the University of Michigan, and ask him for his responses to the most common Christian chestnuts (roasting on an open fire) that make Socialism out to be the devil. 

Questions we ask in this episode:

• What about 'If you will not work you will not eat'?
• Isn't forcing people to be generous bad?
• Shouldn't Christians and churches help the poor rather than governments?
• Without the threat of poverty, won't people be lazy?
• If society got better, how would hte Church witness?

Matt helps us understand Socialism, the long and rich history of Christian Socialism, and some potential answers to common objections to Socialism, while having a beer with Jonty. Malky and Laura were either unavailable or have become filthy capitalists. You decide.

Check out Matt McManus' writing for Jacobin magazine and his book, The Political Right and Equality.

You can find more from Beer Christianity at beerchristianity.co.uk, on most social media and on Substack.

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

George Floyd was killed by a Minnesota policeman and his violent and unprovoked death has sparked protests and riots because it is far from an isolated incident. How should Christians respond and what can we do? Should we be concerned about violent protests? What can white people do to fight racism?

Pearl Mashabane is a black South African who has been part of the Christian embassy to the UN - she has also experienced American police first-hand.

Pearl joins Jonty, Lau-Lau and Drabs for an uncomfortable conversation about the pandemic of racism and what Christians can do to fight it.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

One year on from the attacks of October 7th 2023, and from the disproportionate Israeli campaign of violence that followed, it is more important than ever for Christians and all people who care about human rights and political justice to stand up and speak out against genocide, occupation and collective punishment.

That's why people like Christians for Palestine are such an essential witness.

We caught up with them on the most recent march in solidarity with Palestine.

Follow Christians for Palestine UK on Instagram now. 

Graham Greene wrote wonderfully challenging and troubling books with deeply Christian themes. He was called the greatest author of the 20th century. Jonty loves him. 

David Jasper is Professor Emeritus of Literature and Theology at the University of Glasgow. He's a lovely chap, and he talked to Beer Christianity about Graham Greene and Christianity in literature at the Graham Greene International Festival in Berkhamsted in 2019. 

The festival is wonderful and you should go if you can. You should also take a look at David Jasper's writing. It's also fascinating.  

Jonty, Drabs and Laura talk faith, books and writing in Berro Lounge Didcot. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

What are the greatest works of Christian literature in your book? Contact us and let us know. 

A few weeks ago, Malky and Jonty travelled to London to take part in a large (though it turns out not the largest) march to protest the continued Israeli bombing of civilians in Gaza and the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine through Occupation and settlements.

It was peaceful. It wass diverse. It included Jewish groups, Christians, trade unions, trans people, queer people, liberals, socialists and a whole bunch more. It was  pretty damn wholesome. 

Laura was there in spirit.

Since then, Suella Braverman has called these peaceful demonstrations 'hate-marches' and said that wishing for Palestine to be free is anti-Semitic. It isn't and they weren't. 

Anti-Semitism is an evil we actively oppose. As is Apartheid. As is genocide.

So we and a hundred thousand other people marched. And the next week, hundreds of thousands marched. Our government has been weak in its response (except in condemnations of and threats to protesters, which were energetic), and the 'Opposition' as right-wing and uninterested in human rights as we have come to expect. 

This episode is just a discussion of what it was like at the march (with a little recording of us while we were there) and what the reactions, good and bad, have been. We also hear a little from a Palestinian friend of the show.  

We're all very tired (for reasons explained in the audio) but we cover some important ground in this shorter than usual episode. We hope you like it. 

You can listen to our episode with our friend Ehab here. 

Please pray for:

• A ceasefire and end to the military attack on a civilian population
• Protection for those still alive in Gaza
• The safe release of Israeli and international hostages
• All those who mourn
• Justice for Palestinians in Israel, Palestine and the OPT
• An end to the evil of Anti-Semitism
• An end to the evil of Islamophobia
• An end to Apartheid, racism and oppression
• The doctors and aid workers trying to help a brutalised population
• Softening of hearts in Israel, the West and among all those tempted to hate
• Individuals and groups showing courage to speak out when government and media seem to be against them
• Jewish communities to feel safe
• Arab communities to feel safe
• Europe, the UK and USA to find moral courage to stop the violence
• The Church to awaken to justice in this issue and repent of our complicity in oppression
• For God to have mercy on the weak

Free Palestine. 

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Must we empathise with Nazis? How can we disagree better? Are there limits to forgiveness and how do we avoid becoming monsters as we fight them?

Dr Helen Paynter of Bristol Bible College talks about the weaponised Bible, God and violence.

From right-wing nationalism in the USA to domestic violence pretty much everywhere, the Bible has been used to justify violence and oppression when the christian message is one of liberation and flourishing. 

But knowing this does not let us off the hook when it comes to difficult and nuanced ideas and situations. If we're meant to be inclusive and 'disagree well', does that apply to those whose ideology is hateful, racist or genocidal? Is there a danger either that we force 'cheap' forgiveness on the abused or preach something other than Christ's radical grace? 

We talk violence, faith and conflict with the woman who literally wrote the book on it. We also drink beer, cider, water and tea. Don't tell us we're not a broad church. 

Helen Paynter's book, The Bible Doesn't Tell Me So (Why you don't have to submit to domestic abuse and coercive control) is available now. You should give it a read.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Is the game gone? Is there too much money in football? Is American Football kinda communist? Beer Christianity talks to sometime sports journalist and head of Be With Community, Jamie Cutteridge, about the Super League controversy, why we support sports teams and how capitalism may or may not be ruining soccer.

In honour of that, here’s the official Beer Christianity football jersey:

We also cover: why Chiltern Brewery is so cool for Christians; a Beer Christianity OnlyFans; how to game the Beer52 system, really without trying at all; whether all footballers are good looking; Harry Kane’s hair; performative masculinity and white male working class identity in sport and whether any other word prefixes ‘hooligan’ better than ‘football’.

You can find out more about Jamie’s community at BeWith.community and read the book he recommended, And the Sun Shines Now, now. You can also hear cool local football thoughts from at least one Christian on the We Found a Game podcast. And don’t forget to read that Tribune Magazine article on fan-owned football and think about subscribing to a good socialist publication.

This episode powered (but not sponsored) by: a great sparkling ale from Chiltern Brewery and some Inferno by Oakham brewery, among other things. Here's a pic of a bad from their excellent beer shop (check out the slogan!):

About Beer Christianity

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com (/beerchristianity) and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

TW: Monarchists and marmalade sandwich enthusiasts are probably not going to enjoy this episode.

Queen Elizabeth II has died and Beer Christianity has great sympathy for her family, some sympathy for strangers who loved her and very little sympathy for those cynically emulating or prescriptively enforcing mourning.

Join us as we try to understand what's behind the love and criticism for both the former monarch and the institution of monarchy in the 21st century from a Christian leftist perspective.

Honestly, most of us didn't have strong feelings on monarchy until this week. But the pressure to accept strange narratives pushed several of us into more passionately monarchist territory. Well done, media. 

We laugh a lot at the cynical performative mourning we've seen from celebs and corporations in this episode, but we try to stay respectful of individuals who have feelings that are different from our own. 

We have no illusions that this will prevent us from getting angry letters. 

(If you're confused about the marmalade thing, that's probably for the best. It's quite mad.)

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently Republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

What can good church look like? What is 'success' if you're a progressive Christian? Do Christians who aren't conservative have to give up on things like evangelism and outreach?

After a little break, we are delighted to welcome Naomi Nixon, CEO of the Student Christian Movement, which seeks to offer an affirming, progressive space that encourages Christians to put their faith into action. We talk about all these questions and more!

We loved this episode because Naomi is just great, but also because it's cool to meet progressives who have nice things to say about conservatives. 

Listen to find out more about SCM's vision and campaigns, as well as a cool discussion about how we live out our faith without exclusively 'defining against' or giving up ground that the self-proclaimed arbiters of holiness have claimed for too long.

Check out SCM at movement.org.uk and check out naomi's bookshelf interview in the upcoming issue of S(h)ibboleth magazine at shibbolethmag.com

To find out more about Beer Christianity, visit beerchristianity.co.uk

Beer Christianity is a podcast that's more pub than pew, more fun than fundamentalist. Three Christians discuss faith, justice, politics and culture over a few drinks. Maybe more than a few. We laugh a lot, we're sweary, we like socialism and we love Jesus. 

Politically we are left-leaning to the point of almost falling down, theologically we come from a variety of backgrounds (unchurched fundamentalist, Piper-loving Reformed, chill evangelical) and now span post-evangelical to liberal, with strong evangelical sympathies and post-post-evangelical vibes. 

Beer Christianity is a podcast that's smart but doesn't have to make a thing of it, progressive without saluting every liberal hashtag, and Christian without being a dick. 

It seems very unlikely anyone could agree with everything we say, but it would be hard not to enjoy the ride. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Alex Clare-Young (pronouns: they/them) is a minister in the United Reformed Church, with a passion for Scripture, inclusion and social justice. They identify as Jesus-follower, trans and non-binary.

What does someone with identities so regularly weaponised by culture warriors actually think about Scripture, the Church and faith? 

Alex joins Laura, Malky and Jonty to discuss young people transitioning, the theology of being trans, living outside of gender binaries and the pain and prejudice trans people face right now. On the way, we wonder if Malky was a fateful pizza guy in Alex's university, whether Laura counts as a milennial and if conservative churches are doing damage to their own missions by excluding queer people from the start.

Alex is passionate about engaging with both gender identity and how Christian spaces can be safer, and they graciously offered some advice on what Christians can do to make things better for their trans siblings. (They also taught us that 'brothers and sisters' can feel excluding and irritating to people who feel like neither a brother nor a sister - siyafunda, we are learning!)

On the episode, you'll also hear Alex's suggestions for media that might help you understand the trans and non-binary experience better.

You can find out more about Alex and their journey at Beyond Binaries (alexclareyoung.co.uk)

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

It's not often you get to get real with someone who has something to say, but Amie Aitken is one of those people. She's the second female minister ever to be the sole pastor of a Baptist church in Scotland. She is an ambassador for Home for Good. She once planned a tour as a worship singer without writing any songs. 

Amie is a former complementarian who has started leading a church. She is a respite foster carer, a survivor of neglect and a tough family background, and in this episode she talks about healing, coping with attachment issues and whether God wants us to feel shame. She's funny, humble and vulnerable. She's also one of those rare people who admits that she might be wrong. 

It was a joy to talk to her. I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to know her. 

You can find her at @AmieAitken on Twitter. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

The sad news of the passing of Professor Jürgen Moltmann prompted us to revisit the richness of his thought and the gracious wisdom of his style with this interview from 2013. 

From concerns that are very much of the time (the New Atheism and its influence) to issues that are more relevant now than then (the need for Christians to be involved in politics to combat far-right extremism), this wide-ranging interview covers politics, economics, art, environment and what it's like to be one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century.

Join Laura, Malky and Jonty as they discuss Prof Moltmann's answers, muse of Christian Rap and examine why Malky still has a certain picture on his wall.

Prof Jürgen Moltmann has been described as perhaps the greatest Protestant theologian of the 20th Century. Best known for his 1972 work The Crucified God, and for 1964's Theology of Hope, Moltmann had a huge influence on western theology, but was not without detractors. In this quote from Donald McLeod in Themeleos, one can sense the author's frustration perhaps as much as one can feel oneself warming to Moltmann based on the critique: 

"How does Moltmann satisfy himself that something is true? More important, how does he convince the reader that something is true? The two means of verification normally open to Christians are Scripture and tradition. Neither of these seems particularly important to Moltmann. He has a decidedly smorgasbord approach to the canon; and his respect for fathers and reformers is scant, to say the least. His real criteria lie elsewhere. In order to be true, a doctrine must offer a viable theodicy (it must shed light on Auschwitz); it must advance Jewish-Christian dialogue, bearing in mind that Jews were ‘sufferers’ and Christians ‘perpetrators’: it must meet the ecological concerns of humankind; it must give a platform for Christian political activism; and it must both illuminate and be illuminated by the preoccupations of feminism. Above all, theological statements must be validated by experience. Even what looks like his fundamental theological principle, crux probat omnia (‘the cross is the test of everything’) is itself accepted only because it conforms to these criteria."

What's not to love? 

Moltmann's writing style is complex, dense and almost poetic rather than analytic, which itself has drawn criticism. But in this interview with a young and not terribly smart pseudojournalist, the good Professor is clear, concise and frankly quotable. Listen out for his response to the apocalyptic view that Christians need not care about Creation!

We are sure we have not done his thought and legacy justice, but we are pleased to potentially introduce some folks to Prof Moltmann's legacy. 

Thanks to Mark at BMSWM for the permission, years ago, to use this material, long before we ever envisioned a podcast like this. And thanks to all the friends of the podcast who shared (or almost shared) their insights about the great man. 

Please remember Prof Moltmann's family and friends in your prayers.

USA Christians are Republicans, right?

Wrong.

Linda Seger, author of Jesus Rode a Donkey, talks politics, faith and the Democratic Party, and Jonty gives her a hard time about Joe Biden. 

Check out the latest edition of Jesus Rode a Donkey by Linda Seger.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

It should have been a shot of Amarula. Or good Cape wine. But in this short sharp shot, Jonty sips on some terrible sweet bubbly and tells you about all the animals that have tried to attack his wife recently - as well as an encounter of sorts with another religious in South Africa's Kruger National Park. 

Glories of creation, all things not so bright and beautiful, coming to you from South of the equator. 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll... be... fckn surprised. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. It's wildly erratic.

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

The greatest festival in the world did not disappoint in 2024.

Greenbelt: Dream On was lovely, and we're here to tell you why.

If you were not there (or if you've never been to Greenbelt) we're here to tell you why we loved it again this year. If you were there, let's compare notes!

We loved: 

• Bob Vylan
• Dutty Moonshine Big Band
• Flamy Grant
• Brian McLaren
• DAM
• Richard Rohr
• Seeing our children
• Drinking enough cider to forget things
• Beer and Hymns
• Siskin Green
• Drinking enough cider to forget things
• Vibes

Join us on this special episode for Greenbelt 101. Contains rollerblades. And crazy goat.

Thanks again to the people who put this lovely festival together. And thanks to you for listening.

You should book now for Greenbelt 2025, there are amazing monthly plans!

Tony Campolo, the Baptist preacher, sociologist, Red Letter Christian and ceaseless campaigner for a Christian vision of social justice, has died.

In this episode, we pay tribute to Tony in the best way we know how: by letting him speak for himself. Eventually.

First, we talk about our own memories of him, and his influence on our theology. But once we've done making it about us, we share an interview with Tony from the vaults. In 2012, Tony Campolo was concerned about many of the things that are now even more pressing and horrifying.

The interview feels prophetic in multiple understandings of the word, and Campolo is solid on everything from American militarism and imperialism to the incompatibility of Christian spirituality with right-wing ideological selfishness. His identification of the central problem with evangelical engagement with culture -- the idea that everything gets better if people become Christians -- is expressed particularly poignantly, considering where we are with the Church in the West.

We hope you enjoy hearing from Tony again, and that you remember his family and friends at this time. Full disclosure: we also talk a lot about why we're excited about our new magazine, S(h)ibboleth. We hope it doesn't come across as a sales pitch and more as the genuine excitement we're feeling about connecting more Christians with similar beliefs and making the world better as a result.

Naive? Maybe. Worth a shot? Sure. Fun? Hell yeah.

Find out deets at shibbolethmag.com and beerchristianity.co.uk

2020 may not feel like a year that us much cause for thanksgiving, but the Beer Christianity crew take a moment to cultivate gratitude while recognising privilege and the need to do things to help others to have reasons to give thanks. 

We also debut our voicemail service! Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

WARNING  This episode contains yams. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Merry Christmas from Beer Christianity! A short episode to keep you company while you cook or chill. Drabs shares a reflection on Scripture while drinking a mediocre IPA. Jonty talks about Christmas blues and seasonal Good News while sipping on a Mimosa* and tea. Lau-Lau gets her friends to say hi and almost chokes to death. Merry Christmas! 

Recorded at our homes on 24 and 25 December 2019. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

White supremacy, the assumption of white superiority and white normalcy, as well as patriarchy and what the hell might be wrong with evangelicalism. We tackle these and other thorny topics with writer, broadcaster, Greenbelt Trustee and Christian Aid Head of Public Engagement, Chine McDonald.

We also talk:

• 'Pretty Jesus' and the othering of God
• Why Margaret Thatcher wasn't great despite being a woman
• Whether writers are worth as much as designers
• Gay TikTok (a LOT)
• Whether evangelicalism can be redeemed or whether it can be chucked in the bin
• How to be an ally 

You can get Chine's book God is Not a White Man in all good bookstores (and as an audiobook).

Visit ChineMcDonald.com for more about what Chine is doing and more of her work. 

Christian Aid is an excellent charity doing a lot of good in the world. Check Christian Aid out here. 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

IS it irresponsible to confidently promise God's healing from the pulpit? Is it unfaithful not to? Is there a better way than damaging optimism or modern day Sadduceeism?

Jonty and Laura chat on the way to go bowling.

Beer Christianity SHO(R)TS are shorter episdoes of Beer Christianity sharing thoughts on issues of religious, political or social interest. 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Three Christians and a Muslim walk into a bar... They get along famously. The end. 

Ehab Jalal is the producer, director, host and editor of The Amreekies podcast - a show about being Arab, Muslim and American. It has a very similar vibe to Beer Christianity (but with significantly less swearing and a LOT less drinking).

Ehab talks to us (over a kombucha) about being 14 and recently returned to the US when 9-11 happened; how it feels when people try to convert you and the Christian who has been a big influence on his spirituality.

We also talk about Taybeh, the American dream beer produced in Christian Palestine and what Ehab wants you to know about 'the Old Country'.

It's a really fun episode and was a nightmare to edit down to a reasonable length -- that's how much we loved talking to Ehab.

You can find The Amreekies podcast on all the good platforms and on all the good socials. A good place to start is theamreekiespodcast.com

Are Christians in Scotland being persecuted because their church buildings are closed? Were the protesters at the US Capitol this week taking the Lord's name in vain? Can you send our pod-pastor a picture of your dog please? 

Our favourite Scottish minister, Amie Aitken, is back! 

Covid-19 restrictions leading to church building closures in Scotland have prompted some Christians to consider a legal challenge to lockdown rules. But is that a good witness and is it being true to our covenantal duty to love our neighbour? Amie Aitken talks to Beer Christianity about Church witness and community in a time of plague, as well as discussing the recent riots at the US Capitol building by white Christian nationalists. Who, let's face it, are the worst.

Follow Amie on Twitter: @AmieAitken

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat.  

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

It's election time in the UK and USA, that magical season when people of conscience and intelligence are told to hold their noses, ignore the stink of corruption and compromise, and vote for one of two parties that are both pro-capitalist, tough on those fleeing danger, and, this year, apparently okay with genocide. 

Meeerrrry shitmas!

To 'celebrate' the season, we decided to talk politics, parties, key issues on people's minds and why people think voting for evil is okay, just because it's 'lesser'.

Bella Cross is a community organiser and activist whose day job involves educating younger people to understand politics better. They are also a Christian, trans, nonbinary, deeply insightful and a lot of fun.

 They join Malky, Laura and Jonty to talk about trans rights, Palestine, the environment, asylum and migration and why voting is not the most important part of politics.

We also end up speaking about giving blood, passing out and Scottish football more than you might expect.

This is a pretty UK-focused episode, but the themes we're discussing will, we think, be relevant to anyone disheartened with their political choices.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, is head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a diverse body of 80 million Christians in 165 countries.

Beer Christianity caught up with Archbishop Justin at Greenbelt Festival (2019) to talk about power, the World Church and theological diversity. Turns out he's a lovely chap! Although he's not a person, apparently. Which is awkward. 

Listen to our long-awaited Justin Welby episode to find out what that's all about, as well as to hear the archbishop talk about World Church attitudes to women and the LGBTQ community, acknowledging prejudice and the racism of colonialism, and whether power corrupts. 

Lau-Lau, Malky and Jonty also talk Welby, power, robots, coronavirus and lockdown IN A REAL PUB. 

Contains strong language (from us, not the Archbishop). 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Meet Grace. She's cool, funny, a committed Christian, and gay.

Being gay and a Christian is a hard concept for some people to get their heads around. If we're going to move beyond the same old arguments, it might be helpful to move from propositions to the personal. To meet someone who has experienced it themselves. 

This episode is a simple interview with Grace, in a pub called The Alex in Southend-on-Sea, where Jonty talks to Grace about her story. You'll hear some of the hurt that churches can cause LGBTQ people, and about some of the amazing acceptance and support she has found in her church and in a community of LGBTQ Christians in her town. We also discuss some of the difficult issues around where people are on their journey with this issue, and drinking beer in Tanzania.

Grace is a funny, smart, interesting person who loves Jesus and wants more people to experience his love. It's worth listening to what she has to say. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

We've been through this before. So many times. Is there anything left to learn, or are we just unwilling to learn it? Perhaps a recent study holds the answers.

Mike Pilavachi is the latest 'celebrity Christian' whos eministry has been tainted by scandal. In Part 2 of Beer Christianity's look at our icons with cracked halos, we ask why, with all the information we have gained over decades of scandal, we never seem to be able to prevent good ministries from hiding bad behaviours or protecting bad people. 

One possible answer is out desire to shirk moral responsibility in favour of loyalty and obedience to a strong leader. Another is a little more complex and we examine it in a little detail in this episode.

The NGO Halo Effect tracks how moral superiority, moral justification and moral naivity in the third sector can lead to good organisations doing bad things. If we apply it loosely to churches, religious movements and para-church organisations from charities to events, we start to recognise a lot of ways in which the Mike Pilavachi, Ravi Zacharias and other Christian celebrity falls from grace may have gone on for so long.

As a lens for understandign the larger issue, we hear again from Matty Fearon of Mission Catalyst magazine, who shares his recommendations for avoiding future cover-ups, and we hear from Bible Society's Mark Woods on why we're unlikely to learn a damn thing. Spoilers: we kinda love kings. For some stupid reason.

But we maintain it's worth the Church and the ecosystem around it tryng to get better. It would be good for our witness and good for the world. Most importantly, it could prevent further harm being done in and by our communities. 

Here's a link to the fascinating study, How Moral Goodness Drives Unethical Behavior: Empirical Evidence for the NGO Halo Effect that we quote at length. Jonty thinks recognising its findings and applying them to our cherished institutions could be a game changer in catching and stopping toxicity sooner. 

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Holy crap! 50 episodes! Whodathunk?! In celebration, we got back with our first proper guests on the show, the amazing Harry and Chris!

Harry and Chris talk about their favourite episodes of Beer Christianity*, as well as sharing some incidents of animal cruelty, nudity and beer-based Narnia puns.

This bumper episode also features a retrospective of all 49 preceding ones and a discussion of what the point of the Christian life really is.

Full disclosure, we started recording after midnight on a Friday night and some of us had already had a few!

You can get hold of all Harry and Chris tour dates at harryandchris.com!

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

*They are not avid listeners. Yet. 

Brian McLaren is one of the most important and influential voices in the Christian deconstruction movement. He's also one hell of a nice guy.

Brian's influence on the post-evangelical Church is hard to overstate, and yet he remains humble and approachable as ever. We caught up with him at Greenbelt festival in August 2024 and talked to him about deconstruction, US election harm reduction and that appalling Musk-Trump interview. We also asked him about hope and the future. It's a great chat.

Brian McLaren's latest book, Life After Doom, is available to buy right now. 

S(h)pecial announcement: S(h)ibboleth magazine launch

We also take the opportunity in this episode to tell you about the launch of S(h)ibboleth - our new magazine for left-leaning inclusive Christians (or the post-post-post evangelical and Christian-adjacent). Find out more at shibbolethmag.com

Find out more about Beer Christianity at beerchristianity.co.uk

Can you be a Christian and believe in science?

Can you be a rational, science-friendly person and believe in God? Are there any real scientists who take religion seriously? Is Richard Dawkins a competent theologian? Drabs and Jonty talk to a Southern Baptist to find out. Naturally.

Six Day Creationism, science, scientists and faith with Mario Russo, a regular writer for Biologos.org. Follow Mario on Twitter: @Mario_A_Russo 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Is it a sin to be rich? What should Christian politics and power look like? Jonty interviewed Shane Claiborne around 2010 and the authour/activist's answers are especially relevant today. Which is mildly depressing. Claiborne's progressive Christianity provides some inspiring answers we can apply right now. 

No Lau-Lau or Drabs this episode, but Jonty muses on British and American politics (as well as "Waitrose Progressives" and pacifism, all while drinking Ice Breaker by Greene King. Which is rather nice.) So if you're interested in that sort of thing, you'll like it. But really, Shane Claiborne is worth listening to. 

You can follow Shane Claiborne on Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne

Check out his thought at RedLetterChristians.org 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Greta Thunberg said How dare you at the UN. We loved it. Our friend Picket told us more about being in a Zimbabwean anti-poaching unit and why he believes God calls us to conservation. We nearly came to blows about fracking. Luckily, we'd had a few. Jonty, Laura and Ben explore Christian environmentalism in part two of Going EnvironMENTAL. 

Check out Beer Christianity on Spotify and Beer Christianity on Apple podcasts

Follow us on Twitter: @Beerxianity

Symon Hill made headlines when he was arrested for shouting: 'Who elected him?' during the proclamation of Charles Windsor as King in Oxford.

Symon is a Christian, historian and peace activist and he is our guest for episode 70. Symon shares his surprise at being arrested, his concerns over free speech and democracy in Britain, and the deeply uncomfortable experience of being on the same side as Piers Morgan (this once).

Protest, democracy, monarchy and the police on Beer Christianity.

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently Republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Corona. It's not just a reasonable beer. Nobody's really talking about it, but it's also a virus. You heard it here first.

What is it okay to be judgey about, Covid-wise? And will anyone go back to church after the joys of online services? What is helpful and unhelpful for the Church to be saying right now?

Ben, Laura and Jonty get together online to discuss Christian responses to Covid-19, whether real life church will survive online services and unscientific judgementalism in the age of social distancing.

This episode was recorded before the Big Corona Lockdown in the UK, but we still went for safety and did it via a new (to us) online platform, so excuse the ropey sound. 

If you want to give to a charity that will be working with partners around the world to respond to the Coronavirus crisis, visit BMS World Mission's Coronavirus Appeal. They are a mission and development charity working in many ministries, and they will be helping churches and charities around the world respond to the effects of the virus -- and they'll be doing it long-term. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

What do you consider to be the definition of a Christian?

Jonty talks ponders the dangers in making statements about what 'Christians believe' and the foolishness of pretending that there is only one type of Christian (or one way of being a Christian).  He also ponders the orb.

But if there are many ways to follow Jesus, where are the boundaries? Where does a different approach become heresy, or just not specifically Christian? Is following Jesus really just a matter of identity?

We don't really have any answers - but you might! So get in touch and tell us your thoughts. Get in touch! beerchristianity[that squiggly symbol with the 'a' in it]yahoo[dotcom]

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Is Tolkien hobbit-forming? Do you like CS Lewis, are you like Nah-nia? Did you know that JRR stands for Jessica Ra-Ra? 

These and many other questions are answered in this episode recorded in the Eagle and Child pub in Oxford. Drabs, Lau-Lau and Jonty talk contextualised Christianity and whether being a 'moderate' Christian' is something to be proud of. They also answer listener questions, make some friends and drink some very average beer. 

It's spooky season! Aka Goth Christmas. Aka The (real) Most Wonderful Time of the Year. In honour of that, we're talking monsters, horror and,, the Bible?

Horror movies are deeper than you think - and more Christian! Dr Brandon Grafius, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, joins Malky, Jonty and Laura to talk monster theory, the Bible and Horror.

We cover some of the best horror with Christian significance, how religion itself can be a source of horror and the bizarre phenomenon of 'hell houses'.

If you're sceptical of horror films and whether they can be substantial and edifying, or of you want to know more about what makes this popular genre tick, you'll enjoy this. And if you don't there's lots of jokes and beer. Share it with your horror loving/hating friend!

Brandon's book for the Devil's Advocate series, The Witch, is available in libraries and bookstores. Keep an eye out for Brandon Grafius' next book, coming out October 2022. 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Patriotism, prayer for the Big Sad and a port-flavoured man-toe.

Lau-Lau, Malky and Jonts answer listeners' letters SUPER late, and discuss British v American Christian patriotism; suffering and the theodicy and whether we are EXvangelicals.

So if you want to hear about virgin sacrifice in Oxford, Malky's diagram of healing, scumbag pseudo-Christian newspapers, what Westboro Baptist got right and why one of us is a disgrace, you should listen.

It's Christianity without the labels. It's beer for the ear. It's faith, hops and love. 

Also, there's an Easter egg at the end that calls for credit to be given because it is based on an original work by Crowander, used under a Creative Commons license. 

School Yard by Crowander has been edited and become I'm TIYAHD by MC LauLau. You should check Crowander out. 

Also: write to us! 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

These days, you get arrested and thrown in jail just for saying Merry Christmas. Or, at least, that's what Christian snowflakes, certain media vicars and most of the right wing media would have us believe. 

Apparently, atheists, humanists, Muslims and the 'Woke Liberal Elite' are policing our words, forcing us to say 'Happy Holidays' and thus deny Christ. This and other bullshit comes up in our Christmas 2022 episode, in which we discuss whether a helpful sensitivity to non-Christians during the season may have drifted into paranoia and persecution mania. We hear from an actual atheist humanist on the topic and also discuss whether progressivism can be a bit joyless and what our favourite Christmas films and songs are. Spoiler: none of us said Die Hard, because we are cool. 

Our Christmas movie picks: 

Jonty

Film: Silent Night 

Why? "Because I thought it was just going to be a slightly bitchy Love Actually, but it is profound, shocking and existentially horrifying. I wept. Also it's pretty funny and very well written."

Laura

Film: Beauty and the Beast - The Enchanted Christmas 

Why? "Because every family has that one niche film that they always watch at Christmas, and this was ours. And I like it. And it has one of the best Disney songs. And I like it." 

Malky 

Film: Home Alone

Why? "Because of the childhood feels. When I was a kid, it felt awesome. I thought Kevin was an awesome dude. And it's got a solid amount of slapstick, so my kids will watch it now and enjoy it."

Our Christmas song picks:

Jonty: 

Malky:

Laura: 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently Republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Apologies if you're viewing this on Libsyn. Just generally. But also because they recently changed their blog editor and removed the ability to align pics or build in some horizontal space without coding it in. Progress! We have a much nicer website at beerchristianity.co.uk - go check that out instead. 

It's the clash of cultures! It's a battle royale between two podcast hosts of different faiths! It's a competition to see which religion is better! (It's none of these things.)

It IS a joint episode, published in slightly different forms, by both Beer Christianity and the Amreekies podcast, hosted by the lovely Ehab who you have heard on our show before.

So Amreekies listeners and Beer Christianity listeners will hear largely the same thing, with some key differences. Mostly those differences are that poor Ehab had to edit out Jonty's swears.

You can listen to both versions and see which one you like best!

Ehab and Jonty share their thoughts on dealing with depression and anxiety while performing and hosting, being a niche version of your faith and demonstrating another side of your faith to outsiders. They also talk about podcast producing angst,, not being a very good Christian/Muslim and how the Ummah will triumph. You should listen!

This episode very kindly produced by Ehab from Amreekies. Because Jonty was slow. 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll... be... fckn surprised. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. It's wildly erratic.

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Flamy Grant is the first drag artist ever to top the iTunes Christian charts, with her soulful songs about growing up queer in the Bible Belt of the US and navigating faith, Scripture, gender and sexuality with honesty.

[there would ordinarily be an image here but Libsyn is a bit ropey today]

We caught up with Flamy at Greenbelt festival and talked about God, the Bible, personal authenticity and why she still makes Christian-friendly music. It's a lot of fun, you should listen.

The episode was recorded out in the wild, so expect some background noise and for us to be quieter than Flamy, because THIS ISN'T ABOUT US, OKAY? If we're quiet it is because we are good allies choosing not to centre ourselves (and not because we were so concerned about making sure we got Flamy we kinda forgot about ourselves) (also not because Jonty can't find the backup recording where we might be louder) (why would you even think that? shut up).

Flamy's latest single, If you ever leave, is out now. Find out more about her and what she's doing at flamygrant.com and check out Greenbelt's helpful payment plans for 2025's festival if you want a cool way to spread the cost. 

Beer Christianity presents: 19 recommendations for your lockdown. (Full list with links at BeerChristianity.libsyn.com) From podcasts to Netflix (and other) series, to radio drama, films and real life activities. Stay sane with out top 19! Drabs, Lau-Lau and Jonty give you their recommendations: 

Beer Christianity's Covid-19 Top 19

Streaming series

1. Mindhunter (Drabs)
2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Laura)
3. Tiger King (Jonty) [We recorded this before everyone had watched this]

Activities

4. Gardening (Drabs) 

5. Cross-stitch/needlepoint/something like that. (Laura) You can buy kits on Etsy. 

6. Making chutney (Jonty). 

Soak a lot of fruit in vinegar for a day (mango, peach, nectarine, pineapple, etc. Few apples for thickening. Add in some onion and chilli and even courgettes). Then put them in your biggest pot with lots of vinegar and lots of sugar (like 1:1:1) plus a little salt, and boil for hours, stirring to make sure it doesn't burn. It should turn brown and thick and sweet and tangy and delicious.  

 Films

7. John Wick (Drabs)

8. You Were Never Really Here (Jonty)

9. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Laura)

Album/playlist

10. Covid-19 Self-isolation Stompers playlist by Morticulture (Jonty)

11. Surfer-Rosa by Pixies (Drabs)

12. Everything Sucks and Everything is Beautiful by Princess Nokia (Laura)

Other media

13. The Six O'Clock News by the BBC (Drabs)

14. Time To Act by Christian Climate Action (Laura)

15. Ian Rankin's Rebus radio drama on BBC Sounds (Jonty)

Podcasts and vlogs

16. Helen Paynter's walk through the Bible on YouTube (Drabs)

17. My Dad Wrote a Porno podcast (Laura)

18. A Tale of Two Singles podcast (Jonty) [Friends of Beer Christianity have started a fun Christian single woman podcast. Listen!] 

And the final essential to share...

19. Beer Christianity! please share and review and rate and get the word out :) 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Jonty shares some thoughts on Palestine, US imperialism, the genocide in Gaza, whataboutism, why Palestine matters and why Christians should care. 

No Laura, Malky or Drabs, just Jonts and a bottle of melktert liqueur. If that's what you're into. He's discussing things like: 

Why should we care about Palestine when so many other terrible things are happening in the world? Did Palestine exist? Doesn’t Israel have a right to defend itself? What about Hamas? Is Israel a vassal state of the USA or is it the other way around? What does resistance look like when you’re abused for decades, and what do we think Jesus wants to happen in Gaza right now?

Jonty is no expert, but he has been writing, speaking and demonstrating about Palestine for a long time, and he has the experience of living in an Apartheid state that called all resistance terrorism. Plus, he’s a middle aged white guy with a podcast, so he’s gonna share his thoughts. No shade if you decide not to listen. Episode 44 with Illan Pappe is a great alternative. 

If you already know all there is to know about Palestine and have heard all the arguments, or if you mainly listen to Beer Christianity for the bants or the guests, skip on past this one. 

To hear from people who truly know about the struggle, visit and donate to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

You can listen to Episode 96 anywhere: at your parents’ house while having a glass of wine, at your VERY creaky desk drinking milktart flavoured booze, while making plans to attend a demonstration, and right here.

Also:

Did we make a joke about the reunion tour? Definitely maybe.

Steve Chalke is founder of Oasis, a hugely significant charity most famous for its youthwork initiatives and other social impact subbrands. He's also been a controversial figure in the UK Church, ever since, as a Baptist minister, he came out against Penal Substitution as an image of Christ's atonement, and came out in favour of equal marriage for gay couples.

In this episode, Malky, Laura and Jonty chat to Steve about Paul and Jesus, the Church's hang-ups about sexuality, honest assessments of the professional youthwork experiment and how he guards against Beloved Founder Syndrome bleeding into problematic areas.

We don't agree with Steve on everything, but we hope the tone is of critical friends offering helpful challenge, as we really enjoyed talking to Steve and we love his pastoral vision of an inclusive, loving Church.

Is a real tree or a plastic one more environmentally friendly? Is a matt black tree disturbing? Can you do Christmas without consumerism? Is it ever okay to give a goat? Lau-Lau, Drabs and Jonty answer these and other yuletide questions. Listen to this long chat in Berro Lounge, Didcot, for the lowdown on Christmas books, where Beer Christianity's listeners come from, shout-outs to the BC fandom, plus our take on Boris Johnson and Kanye West. 

More fun than a kick in the jingle balls.

You can also find the Greenbelt Christmas event we mentioned here, and the Hillsong carol service in London here. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

David Benjamin Blower is a musician, poet, podcaster and theologian who you may have encountered on the Nomad podcast, his Messianic Folklore podcast or the Common Era podcast (described as 'conversations between a Catholic Priest and a post-evangelical poet').

With all that in mind, it was very kind of him to join us on Beer Christianity and we liked him very much.

On this episode, David talks to us about art and being an artist, deconstruction and why he wouldn't describe his own journey using that term, as well as anarchism and a little theology.

Jonty also gets to fangirl a little about a particular Benjamin Blower song and find out what kind of space David creates to write. Join us ofr a fascinating, thoughtful meander through the mind of an important figure in the post-evangelical scene.

You can find more of David's work at davidbenjaminblower.com

Listen to David Benjamin Blower's music here! 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, helpful and entertaining.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. He updates it according to his own wildly inconsistent neurodivergent schedule, but it’s a good read. Sign up for the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Support Beer Christianity…

Putting the show together costs a bunch of money in hosting fees, editing software, equipment and time. If you can, please help out by donating via Buy Me a Coffee (or in our case, a beer) 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and, probably, loads of other places. We love hearing from listeners. You can email us at beerchristianity AT yahoo DOT com. We often respond to mails we get on the show. And if you leave us a voicenote on Insta we might air your question on an episode.

There's also a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and random chat.

Other things…

Malky’s design work has graced many good magazines and music videos. You can find his stuff and even commission him if he’s not too busy, here. Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not literature but it’s quite fun if you like Supernatural, Africa or the Goth scene. Laura doesn’t want us to post her BookTok until she’s posted more videos. She may have prayed for the app to be banned just to avoid it.

Beliefs…

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be, while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Dr Leroy Logan served in the Metropolitan police for 30 years, eventually becoming a superintendent and helping to found the Black Police Association.

Dr Logan talked to Jonty at Greenbelt festival in a lively press tent about his views on policing, defunding the police, slogans like ACAB and his views on justice in the legal system and society.

His autobiography, Closing Ranks, My Life as a Cop details his life and career as well as his Christian faith.

Leroy's life was also covered by Steve McQeen in his Small Axe anthology.

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently Republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Rev Peter Laws recommends horror movies for Christians, Laura has a swollen face and the team talk about whether Halloween is dangerous or evil. Jonty also recommends articles to read about Christianity and Horror. Contains strong language and weak attention to argument detail. 

This is part two of three on the subject of Halloween (Episode 8: Hell-ish was part 1 - it's all very confusing, isn't it?). Part three (Episode 10) will also feature Peter Laws and more discussion on the goods and evils of Halloween. 

At beerchristianity.libsyn.com you can also see a picture of us under a painting of Karl Marx and a picture of Laura dressed as Louis Theroux. Happy Halloween from Beer Christianity! 

A 'conservative' and 'liberal' in conversation. Sam Hailes is Editor of Premier Christianity magazine. And while he occupies a different space politically and theologically from the one Beer Christianity generally occupies, this episode proves we can get along despite our differences.

Sam and Jonty talk the future of print magazines, whether Facebook is right wing and Christian conspiracy theories. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Atonement theory standoff! Plus resurrection and resolutions revisited. Featuring Doctor Helen Paynter and Tom Wright!

This one is a goodie.

Jonty refuses to go to A&E for a possible broken arm, despite the advice of theologian and actual doctor, Helen Paynter. A listener sends us a voice-note on SpeakPipe (God be praised!) and we ask Helen to answer it. Another Tom Wright answer to a question a few years ago gets an outing. And the (non-binary-use-of-the-term) lads talk about old and new year's resolutions. 

Apart from being a good sport and our dial-a-smart-person theologian. Rev Dr Helen Paynter has also written great theology and done a wonderful walk through the Bible, which you should check out. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat.  

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

We love Richard Rohr and his work, even when we don't agree with it. And those moments are fewer and further between than ever.

Fr Richard Rohr talks to Jonty about the two halves of life, dualism and riding on the coat-tails of St Francis. An interview from 2010 that leads into a discussion about whether God changes and whether that might be a problem. We also give our views on a listener question about nuclear weapons.

This episode manages to be rowdy and ribald as well as deep, dark and depressing. You're welcome.

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Meet the Mitfords, memento mori monuments and meanders through churchyards and cemeteries over a few years.

Jonty and Laura have been 'graveyard hopping' for many years now, often recording their explorations. But what is graveyard hopping? What's the attraction? 

We answer that question, discuss some of the coolest names and most beautiful epitaphs, and take you on alittle tour of peaceful places. It's not a standard episode of Beer Christianity, but it is an insight into what we like to do outside of recordng the podcast - and the lovely churchyards around here. 

From a grisly discovery near CS Lewis' grave to beautiful and intersting inscriptions on memorials and a quest to find an interesting grave (and an interesting family) in rural oxfordshire, Laura and Jonty examine what they like about graveyards and remember the people buried there.

Check out this episode for a crash course in the Mitfords (including the graves of Nancy Mitford, Unity Mitford, Diana Mitford and Jessica Mitford), the sounds of the Oxfordshire countryside and an elusive hedgehog / mole. 

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

We're back, baby, with an episode of king-shaming, favourite kings and comments on the coronation. Here's Jonty in a tiara his wife bought him: 

Ever topical and on-time, we break our hiatus (sorry about that, pneumonia) with an episode about the Coronation of King Charles (the third, not the spaniel) and about kings in general. 

Why would Christians object to the coronation? What are the reasons some Christians dislike the monarchy in general? What kinda fascist things happened around the coronation and, more importantly, who are our hosts' favourite kings? 

Here's a picture of the King of Sweden.

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Kalle Lasn is a bit of a hero. You can tell that if you read his books Culture Jam and Meme Wars, or from his legendary magazine, movement and media foundation Adbusters. But really, the best way to get to know him is in this interview from around 2009. Drabs, Lau-Lau and Jonty discuss the interview (and therefore consumerism, mental health and the ecological crisis of capitalism) from a Christian perspective in this episode. They also drink a reasonable amount of terrible beer and have a few laughs. 

Kalle's commentary and ideas are prescient and still depressingly relevant today. His thoughts on faith and particularly Christianity are refreshing and challenging to evangelicals and post-evangelicals alike. 

Find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Christian podcast recommendations, movie recommendations and book recommendations aren't hard to come by. But how many of them come with a large helping of lefty Christian analysis of the US election? 

We have no idea. But probably not a lot. Almost certainly. 

Jonty, Lau-Lau and Malky talk about the joy that is Donald Trump losing and the horror that is people thinking Biden and Harris are leftist progressives. 

They also share their book, movie, music and podcast recommendations. 

So, if you want to hear chat about the Chicago Six, Everything Everything, Richard Rohr and more, check this episode out. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Justin Brierley did not "DESTROY RICHARD DAWKINS" regardless of what the internet would have you believe. He did interview him and get to ask him a significant question, with a fascinating answer. (You can find out what it was by listening to this interview.)

He did also put Derren Brown and Rev Richard Coles together to talk about the Christian faith. That's because Justin Brierley is the mastermind behind Premier Christian Radio's apologetics and debate show, Unbelievable? - which gives Christians, atheists, agnostics and skeptics the opportunity to talk in depth about Christianity.

Justin talks to Malky, Laura and Jonty about the people who have come to (and departed from ) faith through his radio show, about apologetics and reasonable debate. He also reveals probably the best beer in the world. Heady stuff.

This was a really fascinating interview with a great Christian journalist. We didn't have nearly enough time to ask him all our questions. Check it out!

Unbelievable? airs every Saturday at 2:30 pm on Premier Christian Radio. 

Also check out Justin's book: Unbelievable? and get your copy.   

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

A festival review is only a sort of festival, as Graham Greene sort of said. Everyone's experience of Greenbelt, in particular, will be different.

This episode shares our thoughts about the best parts we experienced of Britain's best and most inclusive festival, but we'd love to hear what your highlights were. So please get in touch!

Here's us while recording this episode in the Greenbelt beer tent: 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post evangelical podcast where we have a drink or two and talk about faith and life. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Music, 'Merica and marrying love and justice with power folk duo Ryanhood.

Which Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd era was best? Can we 'work on ourselves' while not using that as an excuse not to confront injustice? Can the 12 Steps deepen your faith journey? Could Ryanhood be the first guests to research Beer Christianity thoroughly?

These questions and more are answered in episode 48.

Honestly we loved Ryanhood even more than we expected to from their music so do check them out at ryanhood.com and on the Ryanhood Bandcamp site.

Topics also covered:

• Chiltern Brewery and Coors
• U2, Bela Fleck and Jon Foreman
• The terrible reputation Christians have for judgement
• Testing faith by fruit and respecting rage at injustice
• The Church as the original cancel culture

You're gonna love it. Take a listen. Also, share if you like! 

Episode credits: 

• Editing: Jontatathan Langley
• Design: Malkchizadech Currie
• Time management and research: Laurannabelle Durrant
• Theme music: Jacob "Scraping" Barrell
• Legal assistance: Jock Verges
• Choreography: Jean Jacques Au'Buschveld
• Location scout: Jem Finch
• Mr Currie dressed by: Chanel
• Ms Durrant dressed by: her mum
• Mr Langley redressed by: your mum
• Script by: A Dillard, HS Thompson and K-Dogg Marx
• Driver: Tokyo "Drift" Sexwale
• Lead fluffer: NDubz Farrage
• Horse wrangler: "Free" Willy Loman

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Is evil structural, spiritual, or a bit of both?

Do acts of selfishness or sin have cascading effects that reverberate through history? Can we shine a light on contemporary Western politics by imagining how our politicians would react to a figure like Jesus and the movement he inspired?

All these questions and more (mostly about Israel and its war on the people of Palestine) are covered in this discussion between Jonty and Justin Butcher, Author and star of The Devil's Passion, which you can watch in London on Palm Sunday 2024.

The Devil's Passion is a one-man play that blends historical timeframes and spiritual metaphor to present Jesus as a threat not only to the earthly status quo but to the spiritual realms of darkness. Beer Christianity got to watch a performance recently and loved it. You should check it out too, if you're in Italy or London over the next few days, or get hold of the play's text here. 

Watch The Devil's Passion in London on Palm Sunday, 24 March 2024 . 

More info about Justin and the play. 

New to Beer Christianity? 

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, helpful and entertaining.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. He updates it according to his own wildly inconsistent neurodivergent schedule, but it’s a good read. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Philip Yancey is a bestselling author and generally lovely chap. In this episode he discusses suffering, what we get wrong about suffering, who we are in the Job story and the most important thing to know about God's attitude to suffering: that Jesus is always on the side of the sufferer.

Jonty unearthed this very old interview he'd done with Philip Yancey while in Cornwall between Christmas and New Year (Jonty was in Cornwall with his wife in 2019, not Yancey back in the day). The interview was all about suffering. And it's been a horrible year. So he did what any self-respecting podcaster would do: he found some local beers (notably one from Driftwood Spars Brewery in St Agnes) and recorded some excuses for why, on the interview, he makes so many annoying noises. 

Recorded (except for the old interview) and produced at Mount Hawke, just outside St Agnes, in Cornwall, in a lovely caravan near an old copper mine. The beer that powered this episode was mostly Bolsters Blood porter by Driftwood Spars. Also our designer is on holiday. Can you tell from the artwork?

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

What is the true meaning of Christmas? Is there such a thing?

What is the Luigi Mangione situation all about? Do we buy the billionaire and media narrative that he (or whoever The Adjuster is) should not be lionized?

And more importantly than any of that: why did we create S(h)ibboleth magazine, and what can readers expect from it?

A lot of bloody questions being asked by your chaotic friends at Beer Christianity. You may or may not like our answers. But you will hear more interesting takes than almost anywhere else in Christian media. And that ain't nothing. 

Tune into this episode for our take on the health insurance CEO who had his claim on life denied, and to find out more about S(h)ibboleth magazine, which launched this week. 

Along the way we also discuss what the true meaning of Christmas is and what it means to us. And this fine cup (or C-cup, we guess).

Love ya! 

More from Beer Christianity at beerchristianity.co.uk and beerchristianity.substack.com.

Find S(h)ibboleth magazine at shibbolethmag.com.

Dan McClellan is a different kind of biblical scholar. He has a cult following on TikTok, regularly engages with conspiracy and misinformation content to debunk it, and isn't afraid to speak about politics. Many of us have come to welcome Dan's "alright, let's see it" on stitches of lurid and ridiculous pseudo-religion online, and along the way, we've learned a lot about what the Bible is and isn't. 

Dan's takes are challenging not just to right-wing conspiracy theorists, but to many traditional Christian assumptions. What's nice is that he recognises that, and that he has no particular agenda aside from presenting data and academic consensus as an alternative to dogma and misinformation.

Jonty caught up with Dan a few months ago to talk about the Bible, its misuses and our misunderstandings about it.

Among other things, Dan shares the best and worst Bible translations, the biblical 'position' (such as it is) on abortion, and how an academic got onto an app for Korean teenagers to troll politicians.

You can find more from Dan McClellan at his blog and also at the Data Over Dogma podcast.

Dan McClellan’s new book, The Bible Says So is out in April 2025.

Follow Dan on socials by finding his handle: @maklelan

An edited version of this interview appears in Issue 2 of S(h)ibboleth magazine. It’s a good issue. You should buy it.

Find out more about Beer Christianity at beerchristianity.co.uk 

The words "Bless this mighty woman of God" feature in this episode. As does an advert that would be a serious money-spinner if it were real. Plus alcohol-free beer we like (and whisky we don't). AND: 

Lucky Saint. Forgetting names during group prayers. Parenting in lockdown. Explaining Scotland. Listener messages. Epiphanies. And Malky's cockney child, the podcast sensation.

We go off-piste, un-pissed and 'phany things up. We had a lot of fun making this. We hope you enjoy listening to it. 

Here's a conversation between Jonty and Malky while trying to come up with an appropriate image for the episode: 

A wildly inconsistent approach to self-censorship is kind of core to the Beer Christianity brand. Just go with it. 

Listen to this episode though. It's actually really good. 

This episode features the music Escape by Scott Holmes.

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

That's a nice patriarchy you got there. Be a shame if someone were to smash it...

Whether your church is complementarian, soft complementarian, egalitarian or has never thought about the distinction, the odds are good that patriarchy is damaging people in your fellowship, and damaging the witness and ministry of your church.

In this episode we examine how this happens, and why - and what we can do about it, taking our lead from author Liz Cooledge Jenkins. Her book, Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity From Evangelicalism, is an excellent starting place (with an excellent further reading list) for anyone wanting to examine their faith and faith community and how it may be hurting or holding women back.

Liz is an absolute legend and exceptionally gracious and fun as we navigate these important waters with her, asking:

Can complementarianism ever be healthy? What should someone questioning their faith because of patriarchal church do? What can men do to be helpful? How funny can a podcast about fighting oppression really be?

The answers may surprise you!

You can find out more about the book and read more of Liz's thoughts at lizcooledgejenkins.com

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Is Hell just? Does it exist? Do Christians get judged after death? It's been a hard year so we're keeping it light.

We're also answering questions like: do fundamentalist churches have anything to offer in brimstone preaching, and can we really take comfort in the idea of ceasing to exist rather than eternal conscious torment? What would Tom Wright six years ago say about it? And what kind of voicenotes would Laura and Jonty exchange on it? What does Jonty's microwave really sound like?

This is the Hell-ish episode. It's a little longer than usual, but not as long as ECT. 

Malky talks about his Calvinist background, Jonty talks about hating the idea of Hell and the problem that poses regarding people he loves and Laura discovers annihilationism and is well pleased.

We also break out an old interview Jonty did with NT Wright on God’s judgement and the coming resurrection.

It REALLY gets going around 58 minutes.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat.  

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Introducing Beer Christianity - the podcast of faith, hops and love. The opening episode features an exclusive interview with Noam Chomsky from a few years ago that is still depressingly relevant, as well as some lone beer-sipping and musing from host and former Baptist Times 'news communist', Jonty Langley.

With the aid of a bottle of Tusker (a tasty Kenyan beer), Jonty talks about what you can expect from Beer Christianity - a progressive Christian podcast with a sense of humour and a strong drink ethic. 

It's a pubcast, really. Enjoy. 

Warning: This podcast just got that big dawg in it!

On Beer Christianity's 100th episode, we are joined by Paul Northup, Creative Director of Greenbelt Festival, to talk about the challenges facing festivals in 2024, some of his memories of festivals past and what he's looking forward to at Greenbelt 2024.

We also talk to him about the community that ebbs and flows around Greenbelt, advice for those deconstructing, and the idea of reconstructing.

On the way, we also talk about the riots, beer and nicknames bestowed by podcasts. It's a lovely chat with a truly lovely man. Listen now! And buy your Greenbelt ticket today!

Here's the article by Simon Cross Paul mentioned. And you can listen to the Simon Cross episode of Beer Christianity here. 

Cheers!

Is Greenbelt festival a guilty pleasure for evangelicals, a Church without the hassle of 365day pastoral care or a breaking through of the kingdom of God?

We talk to Paul Northup, Creative Director (aka Big Dog) of Britain’s best festival about the inclusion of Richard Dawkins at a Christian festival, what inclusion means and what makes Greenbelt a special space for so many people.

Paul takes time out of his busiest and most stressful time of year to talk to the Beer Christianity Crew about how Greenbelt has changed over the years, the challenges of creating a safe and yet challenging space and the difficulties of putting on a festival that does something fundamentally different from other Christian, art or justice events.

We also talk about his time as a rock star (a term he laughingly rejects) and the VERY surprising speaker Greenbelt get pressured to invite (you will be shocked). Greenbelt is the ultimate broad church, while still remaining true to the faith.  

If you’re anywhere near the UK, it is not too late to book your tickets to Greenbelt. Visit https://www.greenbelt.org.uk and come!

The Beer Christianity crew in total will be there! Come say hi!

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Happy Halloween! 

Can Christians like Halloween legitimately? Is there something wrong with the 'glorification of darkness' that is inherent in dressing up as a fictional Transylvanian? Or are Christians who hate Halloween actually being kind of insulting and damaging their witness? Jonty discusses with a spooky Goth voice in this special Beer Christianity Halloween episode.

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

The Far Right is on the rise. And, increasingly, fascists and proto-fascists are using Christian language and imagery to justify their position. 

What should a Christian response be? Can we really say that our faith is being 'hijacked' by racists and bigots, or is there deeper acknowledgement and repentance to be done in the service of justice? And if fascists are the enemy, what do wee do with the command to love them?

The brilliant Revd Dr Helen Paynter, theologian, Executive Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, and Beer Christianity's most regular guest, talks to Jonty and Laura about all this and more. 

It's a good one!

Helpful links from the episode

Visit the page for The Church and the far-right claim to Christianity page for a list of events coming up. Specific events on the horizon (at time of publishing) include an event in Birmingham on Englishness and race, a London event on youth radicalisation and a YouTube-based event on the subject with the good people at Modern Church.

You can and should get hold of Helen's books we mentioned (edited and written) at these links: 

The Church, the Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity

Blessed are the Peacemakers: A biblical theology of human violence

And you can also check out a discussion of the dissenting traditions here.  

ALSO. We are launching a magazine. You're going to love it. It's called S(h)ibboleth, and you can read all about the new left-leaning Christian magazine here. 

Find out more about Beer Christianity at beerchristianity.co.uk

A short sharp shot of an episode, talking about the petrol crisis in the UK and judging panic buyers.

Jonty drives his car around to talk about petrol shortages. Never knowingly not on brand. 

Here's a more chill explanation. With less road rage. 

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Downton Abbey. Great series. Movie tho: bourgeois propaganda. So this episode features a seven minute rant about why it's ideologically enraging. Fun tho!  CONTAINS SO MANY SPOILERS.

Also: ever wanted to understand the Christian Rock and Metal scenes? Start here >>>

Doug Van Pelt founded legendary Christian Metal mag Heaven's Metal in 1985. It later became HM magazine and covered some of the most interesting Christian music ever made. This interview is from around 2006 (probably!) and gives a great history of Christian rock and the scene at the time. 

You can follow Doug at @Dooglar on Twitter. 

Christian Metal and Rock have changed a lot since then, so I recommend checking out Norma Jean's Landslide Defeater and  and The Devil Wears Prada's Chemical for a taste of what great hard music made by Christians is sounding like currently. 

This podcast was fueled by Cape Point lager. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on 

Steve Tinning is a Baptist Minister, a Public Issues Enabler for the Baptist Union of Great Britain and one of the team that makes Beer and Hymns happen at Greenbelt festival. 

Steve is a lovely chap and talks to us about his secondment to JPIT (the Joint Public Issues Team of the Baptist, URC and Methodist churches), issues of asylum and refugee response, and about different responses to Ukrainian and other groups of refugees.

But we also got him on the show to talk about one of our favourite things: Beer and Hymns. Steve tells us a little about the origins and spread of the idea, how he came to be involved and the deep, thorough and extensive philosophy behind it.

He also has ideas abouthow you can run a Beer and Hymns (or Beer and Carols) in a pub near you! 

Also, given that Israel, at time of recording, was still bombing the trapped and overwhelmingly civilian population of Gaza, we also talked about Palestine and standing with Palestinians. Steve Tinning denounces Hamas, you'll be pleased to know.

This episode runs a little long because Jonty and Steve argued a little, and also because we wanted to include some clips of Beer and Hymns in the wild. Included are audio tracks from Greenbelt 2023 , Greenbelt 2013 (featuring Dave Ball) and from the White House pub in Oxford, hosting St Aldates' Beer and Hymns (a more sedate and civilised affair than the Jesus Arms version) a few weeks ago.

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

AI is going to save the world. Or kill us all. Or another, secret, third thing.

Trying to find a pattern of truth within all the cultural noise about Artificial Intelligence is pretty hard right now, so we turned to someone who has been working on and with AI since the 1980s.

Jean-Louis Ecochard has been in on the development of everythting from caller ID and online banking to video conferencing and e-health, and was one of the people behind what became WebMD. He now heads up the Center for the Digital Nonprofit and is Senior Head of Innovation for Nethope, an organisation that acts as a bridge between large NGOs with Big Tech. 

He's also a whole lot of fun, and helped us reframe our thinking about AI.

In this episode, we asked JL about the dangerous intersection between capitalism and AI (of course we did), the ethics of big data and what, if anything, humanity has to fear from this latest great jump forward in technology.

It's a fascinating conversation that we hope will help you think about this much-hyped subject in a fresh way.

We should also make clear that, if we didn't like JL so much or think this might reflect badly on him, this is the title we would have gone for:

See the kind of restraint we show? You are all very welcome. 

You can find out more about the Center for the Digital Nonprofit, its mission and research here. 

We also recommend The Eye of the Master: a Social History of Artificial Intelligence for a left-wing academic take of what, really, is being automated. 

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Mike Pilavachi has resigned from Soul Survivor and once again we are having that conversation. Why do beloved Christian leaders fall? And why do the people around themso often protect and enable their failings? 

In this episode, we don't disect the ongoing Pilavachi investigation or jump to hasty condemnation, nor do we jump to his defence. Instead, we discuss what the limits of forgiveness might be, what cultural and structural factors might contribute to ongoing problematic behaviour and why some leaders become brands that are 'too big to fall' - until they do. 

We also hear from people in the orbit of a previous and more upsetting scandal: that of Ravi Zacharias. Thanks to Matty Fearon of Mission Catalyst magazine and Johan Erasmus of Dialoog church for their contributions. 

ALSO. We are acutely aware that on a podcast about a phenomenon mostly involving abuse of power by men, all our guests are men. This si a function of a few things, including: the people we know who are close to these events are also men - a reflection of church hiring perhaps; at least one woman we hoped to hear from decided to brief her husband to talk to us instead. We hope that the input from our listeners (who all appeared to be women this week) and the fact that we have one cis woman and one gender-curious on the host team makes up for that a little. 

Welcome to the liberated zone, Oxford edition.

To mark Nakba Day 2024, Beer Christianity co-host Laura visits our local protest encampment to hear from the demonstrators at our local Gaza solidarity encampment.

If you have been reading about the student protest encampments at Columbia, UCLA and Berkley universities in the USA (or, better, been seeing videos shot by the people involved), you may have questions. The billionaire-owned media have been providing a narrative that, at best, seeks to ‘both-sides’ both the genocide in Gaza and the police-enabled violence at the protests and, at worst paints the protests as anti-Semitic.

Attempts by US officials to suggest the encampments are dangerous (‘evidence’: an Oxford reader about terrorism and how to stop it) and co-ordinated by sinister world powers (‘evidence’: lots of students buy the same cheap tent) would be entirely laughable if they weren’t a symptom of a political and media class in lock-step with colonialist militarism, happy to bless America’s steady slide into actual fascism.

So, instead of talking about the encampments and presuming their motivations, we thought we’d join the many voices of conscience speaking to the people involved. And because we’re Christians, aware of the terrible role Christian Zionism continues to play in the suffering of Palestinians (including Palestinian Christians) as well as Israelis of all religions, we spoke to some of the Christians at the Oxford Gaza solidarity encampment. (“We” here really means Laura, who conceived, recorded and produced this episode.) They told us why they are there, what they think about using privilege for good and how they view the risks, as well as what happens in these vilified encampments. WARNING: they do talk about bake sales. Scary stuff.

Follow Oxford Action for Palestine @oxact4pal on Insta here for more from the people standing up for justice.

New to Beer Christianity? 

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, helpful and entertaining.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. He updates it according to his own wildly inconsistent neurodivergent schedule, but it’s a good read. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Brian McLaren is one of the most influential Christian thinkers of a generation. He expresses a Christian faith that is perfectly in tune with contemporary progressivism. 

Jonty spoke to him at Greenbelt Festival in 2014 and discussed the interview in 2020 with Drabs and new guy Alex (don't worry, Laura will be back, but Al was kind and took these great photos).

It's a great interview, we're not gonna lie. And a pretty good discussion afterwards. Because Brian McLaren is a fascinating dude and he's right about a lot of stuff. But, potentially, not everything. Which is fair. 

[Jonty has lost a little weight and a lot of haircut since then]

Listen to this episode to discover what is so great about the 'new' movement of progressive Christianity, and what dangers it presents. Also listen to discover how Brian McLaren is like Billy Corgan. Or isn't. 

Thanks to Greenbelt Festival Beer Christianity for making the interview possible. Best fest in the world. Check out Alexander Baker photography's amazing work as well if you get the chance. 

Find Brian McLaren's writing and thinking here. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Jolyon Maugham has been called 'Public Enemy No. 1" by terrible right wing newspapers, attacked by Rishi Sunak and belittled with smears by the BBC. 

And if that wasn't enough to make you love him, he also heads up an organisation that works for justice in our laws and legal system, challenging powerful elites and holding wealthy corporations and careless governments to account on behalf of ordinary people. Come to think of it, the smears on his name may have something to do with that.

Jolyon joined us to talk about the most popular of the slurs he's faced and the story behind it, as well as his work with the Good Law Project, a not for profit campaign organisation that uses the law for a better world.

Jolyon talks about the unhealthy closeness between the executive and the police, whether newspapers and government officials really care about free speech and how the law can be used to make the world a better place from gender based violence to tax law. 

This interview was made possible by the lovely people at Greenbelt festival and you can hear Jolyon's talk at Greenbelt 2023 here for just three British pounds. 

You can buy Jolyon Maugham's book, Bringing Down Goliath here and follow him on Twitter here.  

You can find more about this episode at beerchristianity.co.uk

New to Beer Christianity? Welcome!

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode.

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. 

Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely. 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Is it ever okay for Christians to break the law? Many Christians believe it's fine in the fight against injustice. But how far can we legitimately take that resistance? And what about the Bible verses that tell us to submit to authorities?

Wale Hudson-Roberts is a justice enabler for the Baptist Union of Great Britain and minister of a Church of England congregation. He joins us to talk about privilege, resistance and the use of force.
Symon Hill has been arrested for obstructing an arms fair in London and is an activist for peace groups. He talks to us about his experiences and how we're sometimes wrong about what is and isn't legal.

With two interviews, it's a long episode, but worth the time! Jump to the interviews at about 11 minutes in. 
We also cover:
- Are football fans the worst?
- The slave rebellion led by a Baptist
- Palestinian struggles against oppression and colonisation
- A life hack to save you money
- Strong words for those who think mboat migrants should die
- Jonty's parenting advice

Here are some links to things that came up while we talked:

Jonty's article in Premier Christianity about resisting injustice (and that features quotes from these interviews). 

Wale Hudson-Roberts on George Floyd

Symon Hill's website featuring his most recent writings.

USA Soccer Guy's site selling beautifully ironic t-shirts.

About Beer Christianity

Beer Christianity is a left-leaning, evangelical-adjacent Christian discussion podcast that often features interviews and always features a few drinks and laughs. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and to be entertaining.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

Leave us a question or comment to be included in the podcast at: speakpipe.com/beerchristianity and we'll love you forever. 

Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack. 

Jonty's Show With Music on Spotify is called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

If the Church is going through a new Reformation (towards a more progressive, inclusive and liberal existence), then Brian McLaren is its Martin Luther. Or John Calvin. Or that Scottish guy. 

What we're saying is, for those who are unfamiliar with his work or reputation, he's a big dog in the world of not just progressive Christianity, but Christianity overall, especially over the last few years. Ever since A New Kind of Christian (2001) and  A Generous Orthodoxy (2005), McLaren has drawn ire from evangelicals, fundamentalists and all the other kinds of Christians who feel it is their duty to police the boundaries of truth and legitimate witness. 

He's not uncontroversial, is what we're saying. But Jonty found him lovely when interviewing him years ago and, when Malky and Laura got the chance at Greenbelt festival 2022, they loved him too. 

In this exclusive interview with Brian McLaren, Beer Christianity talks to the influential writer and thinker about the four stages of the spiritual journey, stage theory in general, McLaren's new book Should I stay Christian? and what it's like to draw so much hate (or the cold shoulder) from more traditional side sof the church. 

It's a really good chat. We discuss it in detail and give our own thoughts as well, because THAT'S WHAT WE DO. 

Enjoy!

It's Beer Christianity's birthday!

One year of left-leaning, beer-drinking, laugh-having news, views and interviews. It's only right that we revisit the wonderful Greenbelt Festival, plus talk about how Christianity doesn't need to be right-wing, power obsessed or mean. We also have a special appearance by the lovely Harry and Chris, our favourite Comedy-Jazz-Rap duo OF ALL TIME. Chris sings a song about otters. Just saying. 

So if you like progressive Christian festivals, musical comedy and Christian discussion of politics and faith, plus if you like Scottish accents, you're gonna love this episode. 

Also: this is a rare picture of all three hosts of the Beer Christianity podcast, taken one year ago at Greenbelt Festival's Beer & Hymns in the Jesus Arms, courtesy of Greenbelt and Alex Baker Photography.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

What do WAP, Stone Cold Bummer from 30 Rock and the Democratic ticket have in common? This. Frickin. Podcast.

Drabs, Laura and Jonty talk Biden-Harris 2020, ideology and the next generation, fear of death and hope in an afterlife. We also ask what a Christian politics would look like and how to save Labour and the Democrats from the right wingers within (with no answers whatsoever). More importantly, we explore the theologically significant area of Cardi B's WAP. 

Get ready for WAP (worship and prayer) CAC (Conservative-ass candidates), MEH (mental/emotional health) and SAD (scary-ass death).

We also deliver some sad-ass news. What is it? Well, here's the last moment the group once called "a beautiful expression of Trinitarian love" recorded together...

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Is having a flag in your church wrong? What about church remembrance services for military causes? Is all patriotism bad?

Stephen Backhouse of Tent Theology thinks that patriotism is incompatible with following Jesus. He makes a very strong case.

Listen to this episode to find out how the Early Church dealt with babies being killed and how Jesus didn't take on the perpetrators of racial insults. There's something for everyone to get annoyed at in this episode. It's one of our best.

Thanks so much to Stephen Backhouse (aka Jim Mulligan / Eddie Van Halen) for bringing the good word.

Check out the Tent Theology podcast on all good platforms.

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice. 

Christian deconstruction: depending on your theology, it's either a dangerous movement of postmodernism in the Church, seducing young people away from orthodoxy, or a new Reformation of Christistianity, replacing certainty, dogma and control with honesty, love and a messy approach to faith.

In this episode (Part I of II), the gang talk deconstruction, what it means to us, what we've gained and what we feel we might have lost because of that journey. We also feature the stories and reflections of special guests (one more special and less guesty than the others) who discuss whether they feel they have deconstructed and why.

Listen for some laughs, some thoughts about what deconstruction offers and means, and also for Jonty's niche conspiracy theory about Trent Reznor #reversesatanicpanic.

Please share this with your deconstructing friends (and friends who fear the deconstruction movement), and message us with your thoughts on and experiences with deconstructing. 

Part II is coming soon!

It's 2020, b-words. And not a single vision joke in this whole goshdarn podcast! But it does contain politics, mission, faith-goals and a blessing for our pub. We also answer a letter from a fan in Amsterdam! 

Lau-Lau, Drabs and Jonty see the new year in with a few pints. 

Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher. 

All Beer Christianity shows and info available at http://beerchristianity.libsyn.com 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice.