Irreverend: Faith and Current Affairs – Details, episodes & analysis

Church of England rev with a difference Jamie Franklin sits down with minister, author, and cultural commentator David Robertson to compare podcasts and talk about the future of the Church and Western Civilisation.
Among the many topics discussed were:

• Muscular podcasting and why the Western Church is reluctant to engage the culture from a Christian perspective.
• Spiritual warfare, progressivism, and the return of paganism in the West.
• What Richard Dawkins got wrong and why he's regretting it.
• Will the West fact renewal or destruction in the coming years and is the tide turning in favour of Christianity?
• The failures of secularism and where hope is to be found.

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Links:
David's Wee Flea Website: https://theweeflea.com/
David's YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@theweeflea
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Rev with a difference Jamie Franklin talks about the big issues of church and state. This time: the Church of England seems to think that we need to drop the word "church", to stay "relevant". Is this strategy theological coherent and will it work to reach the younger generations?
The Rev'd Dr Bernard Randall's case continues to cast an awful light on the senior leadership of the CofE as top KC says that the Archbishop of Canterbury exceeding his power by blocking Randall from appealing against his bishop, Debby Lane.
And controversial cleric Brett Murphy is kicked out of the Free Church of England. Is there anywhere that faithful priests can go where they will not be persecuted?
That plus your emails and a question on the relationship of Freemasonry and Christianity.
Please Support!
Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/irreverend) or Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend). Subscribe to Jamie's Blog here: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com
Links:
CofE to drop the word "church": https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/16/church-england-dropping-word-church-more-modern/#:~:text=A%20spokesman%20for%20the%20Church,bricks%2Dand%2Dmortar%20churches
The Case of Bernard Randall: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/12/justin-welby-wrong-blacklisting-gender-critical-chaplain/
The Case of Brett Murphy: https://anglican.ink/2024/08/19/shock-firing-of-popular-fce-priest/
Notices:
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Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
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Revs with a difference Jamie Franklin and Daniel French sit down to talk about the biggest issue in church and state. This time:

• The UK Election continues in much the same way as Tories slip behind Reform in some polls. Are we now voting for the next opposition?
• Reform UK's "contract" with the British people.
• Rishi Sunak says he is not in principle opposed to euthanasia.
• The trouble with "Political Christianity" and our thoughts about "hoping" that Christianity might be true.

All that and much much more as ever.
Please Support!
Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/irreverend) or Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend). Subscribe to Jamie's Blog here: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com
Links:
Sunak warns of “blank cheque for Labour” https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/14/labour-blank-cheque-polling-replicated-election-sunak-warns
Reform Contract with British People: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/reform-uk-manifesto-richard-tice-key-policies-glance/
Sunak in favour of euthanasia: https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jun/16/rishi-sunak-not-opposed-assisted-dying?CMP=twt_b-gdnnews
The Trouble with Political Christianity: https://unherd.com/2024/06/the-trouble-with-political-christianity/
Notices:
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Join our Irreverend Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpod
Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!
Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
Jamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com

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Church of England vicar Jamie Franklin sits down with eminent thinkers Jobst Landgrebe and Barry Smith to discuss the pair's recent book 'Why Machines Will Never Rule the World'. Contrary to the bombastic predictions of Elon Musk and Klaus Shwab, there will never come a day when human beings create an artificial intelligence that is equal or superior to themselves. We can all relax on that front because such an endeavour is a mathematical impossibility. In this conversation, we explore Landgrebe and Smith's argument in detail whilst touching on the true nature of human intelligence, free will, the extent to which emotion has a physical basis, demonic possession, mankind's need for religion even in a secular context and the definition and implication of complex systems for viruses and climate change. Strap yourselves in because this one goes deep.
Find Why Machines Will Never Rule the World here.
If you enjoy the show, please don't forget to review, subscribe, share and support if you possibly can. For all your merchandise needs please go to https://www.irreverendpod.com and click on 'merch'.
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Notices:
Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!
Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
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Church of England vicars Daniel French, Thomas Pelham and Jamie Franklin sit down to talk about the most important issues in church and society. This week we begin with some reflection upon the two "beasts" of Revelation 13 and how the imagery of persecution, faith and endurance is relevant to Christians in the twenty-first century, especially pertaining to persecuted Christians in nations such as Qatar, Iran, Tunisia and Morocco who are represented at this year's football World Cup. From the serious to the silly, we discuss whether the Church of England was correct to issue guidance saying that churches should not schedule their carol services for the same time as the World Cup final and we take in the somewhat questionable claim that elite western footballers have been silenced because they were threatened with yellow cards if they wore rainbow armbands out on the field. (All will be explained.) What does the moral and philosophical incoherence on display by footballers, journalists and western institutions reveal to us about ourselves and how can the Christian faith speak to this confusion? In Twits on Twitter, it can be no other than FIFA president Gianni Infantino's bizarre soliloquy, in which, in order to justify the questionable decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar, he claims that he "feels" like he is various things such as a Qatari, a gay person, disabled and a migrant worker. We didn't understand either.
In Question the Rev, questions about Bible translations, ex-NHS staff becoming lay preachers and whether or not the country should be officially Christian or secular from a political perspective. All that and more or course in this week's episode of Irreverend: Faith and Current Affairs!
If you enjoy the show, please don't forget to review, subscribe, share and support if you possibly can. For all your merchandise needs please go to https://www.irreverendpod.com and click on 'merch'.
To support the show please see: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend and https://www.patreon.com/irreverend.
Links:
Church says avoid planning choral services at time of World Cup final:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/nov/21/avoid-carol-services-on-world-cup-final-day-church-of-england-vicars-told?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
https://www.churchsupporthub.org/sport-and-wellbeing-landing/article/making-the-most-of-the-world-cup-final-18thdec-2022.php
German footballers cover mouths after being “banned” from wearing rainbow armbands
Infantino, "I feel Qatari"
Notices:
Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!
Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
Jamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com
Irreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudio.buzzsprout.com

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Church of England vicars Daniel French, Thomas Pelham and Jamie Franklin sit down to tackle the most pertinent stories. This week: COP27 crisis talk continues as the Archbishop of Canterbury says that the world is (still) close to the point of no return whilst the ex-archbish, Rowan Williams, leads a delegation of "faith" leaders up a hill proclaiming ten new commandments for climate repentance. Meanwhile, the Diocese of Ely have asked academics at the University of Cambridge to tell them how to make money out of their church buildings and the University have responded by telling them to turn them into literal circuses. Also, in wider news, it turns out that the scientific study into a church choir Covid-19 "super spreader" event that was used not only to ban singing in church but to restrict indoor gatherings more generally was - you guessed it - based on flimsy evidence. Colour us shocked to the core in this week's offering of Irreverend: Faith and Current Affairs!
If you enjoy the show, please don't forget to review, subscribe, share and support if you possibly can. For all your merchandise needs please go to https://www.irreverendpod.com and click on 'merch'.
To support the show please see: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend and https://www.patreon.com/irreverend.
Timings:
00:00 Welcome, Banter, Coming-up and Notices
06:45 Prayer and Scripture: Revelation 11.15-19
17:57 COP27: Justin Welby says world is close to point of no-return
43:27 COP27: Rowan Williams leads delegation of faith leaders and proclaims ten principles of climate repentance
1:08:36 University of Cambridge say churches should turn into circuses
1:14:23 Covid-19 scientific study based on exaggerated evidence
1:19:35 Question the Rev: What should I do about my unbelieving husband? and Should we boycott the Qatar World Cup?
1:33:43 Email of the Week: Justin Welby wishes Sikhs joyful religious festival
Links:
Archbishop of Canterbury - The world is near the point of no return
Rowan Williams and the Ten Principles for Climate Repentance -
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23121107.ex-archbishop-canterbury-urges-government-combat-climate-crisis/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/multifaith-leaders-to-gather-in-israel-and-around-the-world-for-climate-repentance/
Daily Telegraph - Churches should host circuses to raise cash
Daily Telegraph - Covid singing ban and indoor restrictions based on exaggerated evidence
Notices:
Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!
Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
Jamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com
Irreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudio.buzzsprout.c

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Church of England vicars Thomas Pelham and Jamie Franklin sit down to talk about the week's important stories: Rishi goes to COP27 after massive u-turn and declares billions in support of the cause, eco-anxiety out of control amongst the youth of today - what can be done?, some bishops of the CofE have come out in favour of gay marriage - what does this mean for the future of the church?, and various questions posed by you, dear listener, in this week's multifarious Question the Rev. All this and much, much more in this week's offering of Irreverend: Faith and Current Affairs!
If you enjoy the show, please don't forget to review, subscribe, share and support if you possibly can. 
For all your merchandise needs please go to https://www.irreverendpod.com and click on 'merch'.
To support the show -
Please see: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend and https://www.patreon.com/irreverend. 
Find these details and more at https://irreverendpod.com.
Links:
Same-sex marriage: should the Church of England affirm culture, or confront it? Archbishop Cranmer - https://archbishopcranmer.com/same-sex-marriage-should-the-church-of-england-affirm-culture-or-confront-it/
For the vacancy at The King's School please apply via email to the head teacher at [email protected] or visit their website at www.thekingalfredschool.co.uk for more information.
Notices:
Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!
Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
Jamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com
Irreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudio.buzzsprout.com

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For our 100th episode, Church of England vicars Daniel, Tom and Jamie are joined by journalist and author Peter Hitchens. Amongst others things, we looked at Peter's response to and subsequent reflections upon the Covid-19 crisis, Putin and Ukraine, the gospel of climate change, the religious sensibilities of identity politics, advice for bishops in the CofE, Russell Brand and the decriminalisation of drugs, Christopher Hitchens and the legacy of New Atheism, Rishi Sunak and the end of the Conservative party, the WEF, globalism and central bank digital currencies, the seemingly bleak future of Great Britain, and a few others things to boot!
In addition to this, we also announce several new Irreverend awards for public achievement over the last period of time, look at a new story of the year contender as Matt Hancock loses the whip for joining the cast of I'm a Celeb, update you on our latest live event news (it's exciting) and announce (finally) your opportunity to get your hands on our brand new Irreverend merchandise, available here: https://irreverendmerch.bss.design/!
It's all here and please don't forget to review, subscribe, share and support the podcast if you possibly can.
To support the show -
Please see: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend and https://www.patreon.com/irreverend.
Find these details and more at https://irreverendpod.com.
Links:
Matt Hancock loses the whip after joining I'm a Celebrity line-up - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/11/01/matt-hancock-im-celebrity-2022-contestant/
For the vacancy at The King's School please apply via email to the head teacher at [email protected] or visit their website at www.thekingalfredschool.co.uk for more information.
Notices:
Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!
Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
Jamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com
Irreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudio.buzzsprout.com

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Church of England Revs Tom and Jamie are back this week to talk about Halloween, a Christian perspective on wealth and riches, Twits on Twitter featuring pro-abortion protestors closing down an SPUC seminar on Edinburgh University campus, the big story of the week as we have a new Prime Minister, Question the Rev on the greatest challenges of the Christian life and finding time for prayer, and what it’s like to work as a store manager in ASDA during Covid-tide. This and much much more as always!
To support the show -
Please see: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend and https://www.patreon.com/irreverend.
Find these details and more at https://irreverendpod.com.
Links:
Tom Harris - Sunak sounds like sympathetic bank manager - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/10/25/rishi-sunak-sounded-like-sympathetic-bank-manager-passing-bad/
Notices:
Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!
Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
Jamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com
Irreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudio.buzzsprout.com

Support the show

In these Wednesday Dialogues, host of Irreverend: Faith and Current Affairs Jamie Franklin speaks with special guests on different topics and from different perspectives. This week, Jonathan Wright, lawyer and writer from Vancouver, Canada. Jonathan is the creator of the excellent new podcast "Hello, Unknown".
In this dialogue, we spoke about the nature of faith and experience, the appeal of the unknown, approaches to Christianity that have not been helpful for us in our pasts, universalism and salvation, existentialism, the problem of death, the creative process and what to do when it dries up, and more besides.
To support the show -
Please see: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend and https://www.patreon.com/irreverend.
Find these details and more at https://irreverendpod.com.
Links:
Hello, Unknown
Notices:
Find links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!
Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.com
Jamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.com
Irreverend Sermon Audio: https://irreverendsermonaudio.buzzsprout.com

Support the show