Wearing a poppy? Take time to remember – and think
This is a rather different blog to the rest of the series. As we approach Armistice Day 2025 and remember the wars of the past, the world has become more violent and dangerous than ever. This blog will encourage you to take time not just to remember but to think. What does it mean to wear a poppy in the context of Christian-Muslim relations? What colour poppy should you wear? What will it communicate to others?
Islamization: Conspiracy, subversion and expansion?
Are Muslims seeking to take over the West? Is the current wave of immigration part of a conspiracy? Should Christians mobilize to resist the ‘Islamization’ of the West? Or is the Muslim presence in the West part of God’s sovereign purposes? Might they be allies helping to re-introduce faith into the secular public square? The growth of Muslim communities in Western countries is a controversial topic and, as with much else, Christians do not agree on an appropriate response. This blog explores some of the factors and issues around the Muslim presence in the West.
Flags, Crosses and Religious Identity
The ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally of Saturday 13th September 2025 has already received a huge amount of comment. Over 100,000 people gathered in London to march, listen to speeches – and wave flags. Many Christians took part, and the cross was prominently displayed even as some speakers made anti-Muslim speeches. Why the flags? Why the crosses? In this blog I think about the power and importance of symbols in Christian-Muslim engagement.
An Introduction to Christian Responses to Islam
To mark the publication of my book in paperback (August 2025) I am writing a series of blogs on the theme of Christian Responses to Islam which appear on the Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies Oxford website. They are broader than the book in that they include responses from non-evangelical and non-Protestant denominations wherever possible. I hope you find them helpful!