Cross Section

Evangelical Alliance

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

  1. hace 5 días

    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

    38 min

  2. 23 jun

    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

    34 min

  3. 16 jun

    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

    33 min

  4. 9 jun

    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

    35 min

  5. 2 jun

    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

    38 min

  6. 19 may

    Ep 138: Andy Burnham, 'Unite the Kingdom' and intergenerational divides

    In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Danny Webster and Zanna Meynell are joined by Mark Gilmore, policy advisor at the Evangelical Alliance. Conversation turns to the damp squib that was the King’s Speech . It serves as a reminder that we cannot place all our hopes in politics. The team discuss the implications of potential conversion practices legislation and the significance of that for Christians. From Andy Burnham to Keir Starmer, the team weigh in on what has happened with the Labour leadership race and the continuing chaos surrounding this political moment. As last Saturday saw another ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march, the team examine the continuing conversation around Christian nationalism in the UK. Do check out the briefing events that are coming up in June, which will help us engage in conversations around Islam and Christian nationalism. The episode ends with a conversation about intergenerational divides following a BBC article about boomers being the luckiest generation alive. https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/islam-challenges-questions-and-gospel-opportunities https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:42 Eurovision highlights 2:30 Praying with children 4:03 Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer act 5:29 The King's Speech review 10:37 UK political leadership race 13:58 Conversion therapy ban update 24:41 ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march 26:19 Intergenerational wealth gap 32:15 Falling birth rates 35:30 The church as an intergenerational family

    37 min

  7. 12 may

    Ep 137: Pastor Clive Johnston convicted, Keir Starmer's future and the UK elections unpacked

    In this week's episode of Cross Section, the team discuss the conviction of Clive Johnston after he preached John 3:16 in a buffer zone, deep dive the election results and Keir Starmer's fragility as Prime Minister. How as Christians can we respond to this chaos? What are our freedoms and where can we turn when the world feels so fractured? Chapters: 00:00 Welcome 01:19 Abortion buffer zone case 08:05 Gospel freedom and tactics 11:26 Prayer in council meetings 16:25 Banned speakers and marches 22:02 Election results roundup 28:38 Keir Starmer's leadership crisis 36:32 Political fatigue and hope 40:15 Closing thoughts

    40 min

  8. 5 may

    Ep 136: Faith under pressure: from antisemitism to Christian workplace rights

    In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Danny Webster and Alicia Edmund sit down to discuss the latest headlines. The episode begins with some light-hearted stories: Peter reviews the Devil Wears Prada 2, and the rest of the panel discuss the Met Gala outfits that caught their eye.   Conversation turns to the sad news that broke yesterday around Sam Allberry being stepped down from leadership at Immanuel Nashville. They reference the helpful statement that Living Out have put out, encouraging us to think about this prayerfully, with compassion.    The main discussion focuses on the Liberal Democrats admitting they unlawfully discriminated against former BBC journalist and prospective candidate David Campanale because of his Christian beliefs. In this polarised climate, with pressures and fear of cancel-culture, it can be hard to know how to talk about faith. The panel encourage us in speaking openly about Christianity, pointing to our resources that help us do so.  The episode concludes with a conversation on the recent attacks against the UK’s Jewish community. How can we respond as Christians to rising antisemitism, security fears, political responses and the wider impact of protests on community safety?    Chapters:  00:00 Welcome and agenda 01:21 Met Gala banter 02:54 Sam Allberry steps down 08:31 Lib Dems admit discrimination 18:21 Faith at work and moral leadership 27:12 Attacks on UK Jews 34:48 Polarisation and closing thoughts

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

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  • Creador
    Evangelical Alliance
  • Años de actividad
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodios
    100
  • Clasificación
    Apto
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    Cross Section

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