Cross Section

Evangelical Alliance

Cross Section - Conversations at the intersection of faith, news and culture. A podcast from the Evangelical Alliance

  1. 6d ago

    Ep 145: Britain at breaking point, Christian patriots and assisted dying

    Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster return from the summer break to the same political upheaval as before. The team discuss the recent Channel 4 documentary revealing further questions regarding donations to Reform UK and apparent fractures in Nigel Farage's top team. How will this effect their electorate success and popularity?  They go on to explore the weekend headlines of Patriot Platform and masked men seeking to 'defend the Portsmouth' coastline whilst chanting 'Christ is King' and round up the conversation on the upcoming vote in Westminster on assisted suicide on Friday, 11 September. The theme of polarisation continues across our news and political stories. How can Christians engage and offer a different way of living and response? 0:00 — Welcome 0:43 — Summer catch-up 1:48 — Katie Taylor's song choice 2:40 — Reform party conference and scandals 6:51 — Are Reform self-destructing? 9:25 — Reform's faith dynamic 12:45 — Patriot Platform protests in Dover 18:32 — Andy Burnham: first six weeks 22:54 — Keir Starmer steps down 26:43 — Will Burnham call a general election? 30:26 — Assisted suicide vote preview 34:33 — Prayer and action

  2. Jul 28

    Bonus episode: Is Burnham's Britain more than just vibes?

    Is Andy Burnham the new ‘TikTok PM’? The Cross Section summer break takes a temporary pause as the team reunite to discuss all that has happened since Andy Burnham became prime minister. The team cover his use of social media, his focus on cost of living and social care, lack of mention of immigration and touch on assisted suicide. What will the coming months look like? What will the challenges be? Most importantly, how can Christians pray effectively? The team also discuss the upcoming Clacton by-election, the new series of ‘The Chosen’ and ‘The Odyssey’. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:36 - Andy Burnham's first week as PM 2:16 - Cost of living policy focus 8:22 - Immigration as a dividing line 11:48 - Assisted dying and palliative care debate 17:36 - Education reform 20:27 - Outlook for the coming months 24:47 - Challenges ahead for Burnham 26:20 - Prayer points for our leaders 30:01 - Get in touch 30:16 - Clacton by-election (Farage vs. Binface) 31:29 - ‘The Chosen’ and ‘The Odyssey’

  3. Jul 7

    Ep 144: Season finale: Farage's funding scandal, Burnham bounce and the hope for British politics

    For the season finale before the summer break, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster share reflections from the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in Westminster, President Trump's influence over a red card, the unfolding story surrounding Nigel Farage's relationship with a cryptocurrency convicted billionaire and the role of the UK church in embodying a message of hope at a time of national instability. National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast (YouTube link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPvx1DHTleE   Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Cross Section 00:21 Prayer Breakfast Highlights 01:39 Hope Not Politics 02:39 Westminster Hall Atmosphere 03:09 Andy Burnham Buzz 04:15 Season Wrap and News Picks 04:47 Culture Spotlight Ezra Collective 06:08 Football and Media Frenzy 07:22 Trump vs FIFA Rules 09:46 Reform Party Under Scrutiny 11:30 Farage Donations Explained 13:01 Standards Probe and Recall Risk 14:02 Recall Petition Stakes 15:00 Have Reform Peaked 15:43 Farage Under Pressure 17:04 Electoral System Reality 17:56 Polls Momentum Shifts 19:48 Switching to Burnham 21:12 Burnham Honeymoon Risks 23:55 Devolution Versus Growth 26:00 Praying for Hope 26:56 Church as Stability 29:54 Polarization and Discipleship 32:57 Season Wrap and Farewell

  4. Jun 30

    Ep 143: King Charles’ “multi-faith nation”, Burnham’s Manchesterism and the conversion practices bill

    In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster discuss the leading political and cultural headlines. The team begin with a conversation about King Charles’ announcement that he is redefining his role as monarch from “Defender of the Faith” to protecting “the space for faith within the multi-faith nation”. What are the implications for his role as the head of the Church of England? What does this show about the nature of religion in the UK today? They then consider Andy Burnham’s Catholic upbringing and ponder how he may engage with faith as he comes into Downing Street. Can Britain talk about religion well? Alicia briefly refers to the National Conversation campaign to rebuild social cohesion. The team then turn to the significant release last week of draft conversion practices legislation. This is an issue the Evangelical Alliance has engaged with since 2018 and this bill raises many concerns. Why are we worried about what is being proposed? What could be the impact of this legislation for parents and churches? What will happen next and how can Christians respond? This is an episode you do not want to miss. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:15 The King and multi-faith Britain 6:57 Faith in the public square 9:22 Andy Burnham and his Catholic upbringing 14:59 Manchesterism: standout moments 18:43 Rebuilding social cohesion: the national conversation 19:25 The draft conversion practices bill 33:38 How the Church should respond

  5. Jun 23

    Ep 142: Keir Starmer out, what happens next?

    Is Britain ungovernable? This week on Cross Section, Alicia Edmund, Danny Webster and Zanna Meynell unpack a hugely significant week in British politics. Following Andy Burnham’s win in the Makerfield by-election last week, Monday saw Keir Starmer announce his resignation. What will this period of political limbo look like? How can we engage? And where can we put our hope when things are so unstable?  The team also reflect on the news that Jeffrey Donaldson (former DUP leader) has been found guilty of historic child sex offences. This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the importance of bringing things to light and justice being served.   The episode ends with the encouraging story of the mass baptisms in Bournemouth last weekend.   Chapters:  0:00 - Introduction 1:06 - Makerfield by-election 1:53 - Keir Starmer resignation 2:48 - Andy Burnham's path to PM 6:50 - Keir Starmer's legacy 8:58 - 10 Years of Political churn since Brexit 14:48 - What should Andy Burnham do differently? 19:47 - Should there be an election? 21:50 - Christian engagement with politics 29:02 - Jeffrey Donaldson conviction 32:09 - 1,200 watch Bournemouth baptisms

  6. Jun 16

    Ep 141: Assisted dying bill 2.0, Makerfield by-election and Starmer's plan to ban social media

    On today's episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster try to make sense of Lauren Edward's decision to reintroduce the assisted dying / suicide bill, t-up the political permutations ahead of Thursday's Makerfield by-election and discuss the government’s latest announcement about a social media ban for under 16 year olds.  https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Docs/PDF/Council/Voting-and-Elections/2026/Makerfield/Election-Agent-Notice-Makerfield-2026.pdf Chapters: 0:00 Introduction   0:49 Pharrell Williams' "The One"  2:35 World Cup prayer circle 3:35 Webinars: Christian Nationalism and Islam  5:41 US-Iran Ceasefire p  5:41 Assisted suicide bill returns  15:46 Makerfield by-election 22:48 Social Media ban for under-16s  33:03 Close

  7. Jun 9

    Ep 140: Pride month, Christian energy drinks and Jesus at the World Cup

    On today's episode, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster cover a whole range of issues from calls to boycott HelloFresh, to a seven-minute standing ovation for the Pope in the Spanish parliament, what energy drink would Jesus drink? to the number of openly Christian players at this year's World Cup. It's becoming the new normal to see Christianity discussed in the cultural space, so the team discuss how as Christians we can speak confidently and compelling about Jesus. 00:00 Welcome and lineup 00:57 Christian energy drinks 03:07 Southampton aftermath 07:52 Cohabitation rights debate 10:11 Pope in Madrid 11:04 Profit before Pride 16:19 Free speech and gender 24:32 Subscribe and feedback 25:18 Football and faith 33:47 Final reflections

  8. Jun 2

    Ep 139: The Pope's thoughts on AI, the "lost generation" and Henry Nowak's tragic death

    Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster return to Cross Section to review this week’s key news stories. They begin with a news roundup covering calls to withdraw mainstream media platforms from influencer Bonnie Blue, Tony Blair’s intervention on what has gone wrong in Britain and Alan Milburn’s warning about rising numbers of young people not in education, employment or training.   The main discussion focuses on Pope Leo XIV’s lengthy encyclical Magnifica Humanitas on safeguarding humanity in the ever-changing age of AI, drawing parallels with a previous encyclical Rerum Novarum and exploring dignity, work, agency. How do we use AI wisely as Christians? How can we grapple with the implications of A on human dignity and work?  The episode ends with a conversation about religious freedom following the sentencing of a Sikh man who killed Henry Nowak using a large kirpan, the ceremonial blade Sikhs are required by their faith to carry. How does this story tap into the wider theme of the freedom of religion and how as Christians can we respond?  https://www.regent-college.edu/resources/laing-lectures/2026-laing-lectures/ Chapters: 00:00 Welcome 01:20 Bonnie Blue platform debate 03:33 Tony Blair’s Britain diagnosis 06:29 Responding to the "lost generation" 10:07 Pope Leo on AI 18:27 AI's impact on dignity and work 25:32 Kirpan case and religious freedom 35:27 Final thoughts and encouragements

See All (100)

About

Cross Section - Conversations at the intersection of faith, news and culture. A podcast from the Evangelical Alliance

Information

  • Creator
    Evangelical Alliance
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Cross Section

You Might Also Like