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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Hey! Thanks for this. nice to reconnect :)

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

The story of Jesus' healing at Bethesda is not about an historical 'event', like John's other 'signs' this is part of the wider narrative. Here Asclepius, the god of healing, represents the power of the empire - while John's Jesus represents it's opposite. simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #65

John 5: 1-9 The healing at Bethesda

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

No lectionary substack from me this week, but I did record this a few days ago. youtu.be/o04Gz_Fu9-k?...

youtu.be

Episode 156 with Simon Cross for Sunday 4th May

YouTube video by Joint Public Issues Team

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 11/04/2025

Reposted by Simon Cross

We have been uplifted by the incredible reaction to the police raid on Westminster Meeting House. Many Friends have asked us what actions they could now take to push back against the erosion of protest rights in the UK. Here are 7 ideas 👇 www.quaker.org.uk/blog/7-actio...

quaker.org.uk

7 actions to take now to defend our right to protest

After the meeting for worship outside New Scotland Yard, Joe Cox suggests 7 things people can do next.

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It's very hard to say, because so far as I can tell that particular research hasn't been done.

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More importantly, though, this lacks the context of an upsurge in engagement with a variety of other community groups. Post covid, and in an era of growing military and economic 'threat', young people are engaging more with groups that offer a sense of belonging and purpose.

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I agree that this is an issue - although class is such a tricky concept to navigate in this sense. Certainly large charismatic evangelical churches report strong engagement with Gen Z (they always do). Ethnicity is a factor: African heritage people are strongly represented in church going figures.

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

It's a really interesting and important report, and put together by very smart, highly questioning people. What it lacks, perhaps, is some context. Churches are not the only community organisations that are seeing a big upsurge in Gen Z engagement. Alienation seems likely to be a key driver here.

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In Luke's story of Jesus' spectacular theatrical protest against Roman occupation there's a cryptic phrase: "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out." What if this one remark is intended to demonstrate that the Jesus way was one of non violence? open.substack.com/pub/simonjcr...

open.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #61

Luke 19:28-40 Even Luke can't disguise the skulduggery and theatrics as Jesus pulls an audacious move; (and what 'the stones' really refers to).

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Looking forward to the first of three live #poetry events to celebrate #worldpoetryday - tonight the hilarious Paul Cookson is in Cottingham, East Yorkshire. Tickets available on the door, or book in advance if you want. www.eventbrite.com/e/1244785750...

eventbrite.com

Paul Cookson - poet, performer, average ukulele player

Come see Paul Cookson, the poet with a flair for performance and a knack for playing the ukulele (not too shabby, if we do say so ourselves)

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

All that money for a toilet, and yet still the loo roll is on the wrong way around. Evidently there are still some things that money can't buy.

A picture of a solid gold toilet which was stolen from Blenheim palace.

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

A decent review of a thoroughly readable and very well developed book. One of a few really good popular/accessible scholarly titles last year, see also: God's Ghostwriters by @candidamoss.bsky.social

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

I've not heard that joke since I was 18-years-old

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

I didn't even know it was for sale. How much is it, exactly?

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

I think there's a couple of other possibilities: Greenland as a strategic military bulwark could lessen the need to have US troops on 'foreign'/EU soil; perhaps even more obvious though are the mineral deposits, inc. rare earth minerals - which are abundant there, and which are vital for new tech.

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Thanks for this, Ryan. Your work is always interesting and trustworthy, which is no mean feat these days. Where might we find a more detailed version of your findings?

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

People had excellent names in those days, didn't they.

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Generally speaking I'm with Crossan in terms of 'there are parables by Jesus, and parables about Jesus' - I wouldn't see detail as a sign of historicity, necessarily. Luke tends to belabour the detail, but he's always telling figurative stories - e.g. the Transfiguration.

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

I suppose the question is whether one starts with an assumption of some sort of historicity or not. I tend towards an assumption of parable, particularly when there are evident legendary or mythical elements. But that's my bias!

Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Thanks for reading! I've always found it a striking story for many of the same reasons. The problem is that we just don't have a source, I find myself drawn to the idea that this is a Jewish story - it makes sense to me.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

I have a 'go-to' take on the story of Jesus being 'tempted' in the wilderness, but it doesn't necessarily account for the bigger question of 'where does this story come from?' What if this Christian story isn't really a Christian story at all? open.substack.com/pub/simonjcr...

open.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #56

Luke 4: 1-13 Lent begins with a retelling of the old temptation story

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Reposted by Simon Cross

Wilberforce Institute @wilberforcehull.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

What is it like to be a woman in Hull? Mark International Women’s Day by attending a panel discussion with Dame Diana Johson and guests. Chaired by Karen Okra, community activist and female and race equality champion. To book sophie.blanchard@hull.ac.uk #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction

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Reposted by Simon Cross

TheoDisc Podcast @theodisc.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

NEW EPISODE! Roger Mitchell talks about how Jesus’ message challenged the empire of his day, and how a 'politics of love' might inform Christian engagement with our present political systems. 🎧 Listen: theodisc.podbean.com/e/roger-mitc... or watch: youtu.be/e92ObQNZVlY #podcast #theology #Jesus

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Good to see that @shibbolethmag.bsky.social have joined the ranks of the tofu eating wokerati over here. I'm pleased to say that I have also got an article in issue 2, which means that I can safely claim to have played my part in their downfall. Peace and love my sweary friends.

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Reposted by Simon Cross

Doral Hayes @doralh.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Book for The Uncontrolling Love of God Conference this coming June. Join @thomasjayoord.bsky.social @simonjcross.bsky.social, Emma Pavey, myself and other speakers from across the churches. #relational #ecumenical Get tickets now. Bit.ly/ort25

bit.ly

The Uncontrolling Love Of God

This three day conference explores ideas offered by open and relational Christian theologies, including process theology.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

"Do to others as you would have them do to you" emerges from this week's lectionary gospel reading not just as a cornerstone of Jesus' teaching, but as a core 'axial ethic' underlying 1000s of years of thinking, across continents & cultures, about living together. open.substack.com/pub/simonjcr...

open.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #54

Luke 6: 27 - 38 The Axial Ethic

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Every week (ok, most weeks) I write a reflection on one of the lectionary texts for the week ahead. It's for people who, like me, talk about the Bible a lot, and anyone who wonders why on earth anyone still bothers with it at all. Here's the most recent one. simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #53

Luke 6: 17-22 Blessings and woes

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Extraordinary to think that we* can look at the Thatcher years and mutter: "Aaaaahhhh, the good old days." Which makes me wonder if, in three or four decades time we'll be looking back at the skip fire we're in now and mutter: "Aaaaahhhh, the good old days." *Granted - not all of us.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Excited to share this collaboration with @plsoc.bsky.social - the marvellous & mega talented poet and broadcaster Stewart Henderson will be exploring the legacy of #PhilipLarkin for World Poetry Day here in Hull. "There is an evening coming in..." #worldpoetryday www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebrat...?

eventbrite.com

A celebration marking 70 years of Philip Larkin's 'The Less Deceived'

For World Poetry Day, poet, lyricist and broadcaster Stewart Henderson presents a celebratory assessment of Hull's most famous librarian.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Musk is in danger of being the most powerful person on the planet. Ever.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I like your interpretation. I take the view that the bountiful catch story is a parable that Luke tells, but set very much in the context of Herod Antipas' commercialisation of the lake, and all that means for the folk who live there. simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #52

Luke 5:1-11 The miraculous catch (this is where the trouble really starts)

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Reposted by Simon Cross

In partnership with PLS, this Hull church is putting on a Larkin themed event on World Poetry Day, March 21. Details will follow! Great initiative which came from the church itself.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

We're getting poetical over here in Hull. Words on the poster are courtesy of the city's most famous librarian and hint at an event that we're holding in March to celebrate Larkin's legacy - in association with the Philip Larkin Society - featuring the wonderful Stewart Henderson. Details to follow.

A Church noticeboard in front of a short hedge. On it a poster with black text which reads: "What will survive of us is love." Philip Larkin: "An Arundel Tomb" and a red heart.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The story of the miraculous catch is one of Luke's big hits - he had a knack for memorable stories. But what was it about? Why would Jesus, a builder from the hills, be hanging about by the lake anyway? And who lurks in the background in this well known tale? simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #52

Luke 5:1-11 The miraculous catch (this is where the trouble really starts)