Christian Nationalism and far-right exclusivism
David Shepherd
Date posted: 30 Oct 2025
In March 2026, Dame Sarah Mullally will be formally “enthroned” as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
In accordance with long-standing tradition, Mullally will kneel before King Charles and pay homage to the King as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
What does the Ryder Cup teach us about unity?
Gavin Calver
Date posted: 25 Oct 2025
It was great to watch the compelling action of the Ryder Cup golf recently. The incredible unity amongst the European team was so clear to the global audience tuning in as they looked to keep hold of the trophy on American soil.
It had gone so well on the first two days of the competition, but the final day was quite a tense affair as the American team put themselves right back in contention. Towards the end of the final session of play the European team secured the victory, leading to much celebration. The sense of togetherness was wonderful and the unity across all the nations of Europe competing as one was clear for all to see.
Is it still possible to be Anglican and evangelical?
Andy Lines
Date posted: 24 Oct 2025
The appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally to one of the highest offices in the land has generated a huge amount of comment on different media platforms. As an Anglican leader myself, I’m going to try to briefly answer four questions that commonly arise.
- What message does the appointment of a theologically liberal woman as Archbishop of Canterbury send to the world and to the church?
For supporters, this shows that one of the last remaining “glass ceilings” for women in public life has been broken. A former senior nurse being the Archbishop now explicitly links the national Church of England, the kindness and care of the NHS, and the liberal values of the ruling establishment. Theologically orthodox churches around the world have received the message that their views have been ignored, even though this office is supposed to bring unity to a Communion of churches. The impact will go wider than this: how will the appointment be interpreted by powers with political, religious and commercial agendas around the world concerning the state of Britain today?
- Is it still possible to be Anglican and “evangelical” (in the sense understood by the founders and readers of en)?
The Thirty-Nine Articles, one of the key founding documents or “formularies” of the Anglican Church, locates the source of authority concerning knowledge of God as trinity, human sin, the gospel of salvation, the Christian life and the church in the Scriptures not in any church leader, office or institution. The Book of Common Prayer on which Anglican worship is based, is reformed and evangelical in its theology. Article 26 recognises that “sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments”, but this does not invalidate “the grace of God’s gifts” which are received by faith regardless of the faithfulness or otherwise of the minister. Despite leadership by theologically compromised senior leaders especially in the Western world, there are many congregations in the Cof E where the word of God is faithfully preached and received, and millions of Anglicans around the world committed to “proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations” (the GAFCON slogan of the 2018 Jerusalem conference).
- Can a faithful believer in England be a member of an Anglican church and yet not be associated with the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury?
The GAFCON Jerusalem Statement of 2008, of which the shorter, 14 point Declaration is a part, states clearly that the foundation of Anglicanism is doctrinal: “While acknowledging the nature of Canterbury as an historic see, we do not accept that Anglican identity is determined necessarily through recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury.” This ground-breaking concept has been backed up with action. In parts of the world where governing bodies have led the “official” Canterbury-aligned denomination away from Bible-based faith, GAFCON, representing the majority of the world’s Anglicans, has stepped in to authorise a separate, orthodox Anglican jurisdiction. This means that, here in the UK and in continental Europe, there is a structure led by godly, Biblically faithful bishops, under which individuals can join existing congregations, congregations from other jurisdictions can join, and new churches can be planted. This is the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE), and perhaps it needs to be stressed, our region of Europe includes Britain and Ireland!
- Why would any genuine Christian continue as an Anglican today?
Many Anglican evangelicals have reiterated their commitment to remain in the Church of England, in impaired communion with bishops, perhaps with the hope of reforming it in future, while taking advantage of opportunities for mission which remain at local level. Some question the integrity of this, and are leaving, feeling that Anglicanism itself is inherently compromised. ANiE holds out another option: retaining good aspects of Anglican church governance, Scripture-soaked liturgy and being part of an historic movement of a genuinely global fellowship, having completely broken ties with Canterbury.
Ten questions with Chris Sugden
en staff
Date posted: 12 Oct 2025
Chris Sugden has been married for 52 years to Elaine, a retired consultant cancer doctor, with three married children and nine grandchildren. He leads the PhD Programme of the Oxford Centre for Mission and Public Life with Stellenbosch University and is an associate minister at St Andrew’s Dean Court, Oxford.
1. How did you become a Christian?
My father was a vicar, as was my maternal great grandfather in Ireland, and I was a choirboy. So I grew up in the Christian community. I committed my life to Christ in the Sixth Form through the work of VPS camps at Lymington.
2. What lessons have you learnt since that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
Do not be afraid to stand up for what you know is right. You may lose (a role or post) in the short term, but God will use it to open new and wider fields of ministry.
3. How would you describe your prayer life?
Based on a daily reading of the Bible, focused on family and ministry needs and tasks, and shared with and helped by my wife.
4. Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot which I read as a student, to dare great things for God and expect great things from God. Theology of Liberation by Gustavo Gutierrez challenged me to take the Bible seriously on its teachings about the poor.
5. Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
My senior colleagues Vinay and Colleen Samuel with whom we worked in Bangalore for six years, and their family, and have continued to work with in a variety of ministries since then. They combine global vision, high academic standards, and grassroots involvement among poor people.
6. What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
To maintain the Biblical and Christian teaching and practice of man/woman marriage as taught in the Bible against the pressure to conform to passing preferences in the culture.
7. What encourages and what discourages you?
I am encouraged when someone steps forward and takes up a task as part of a team. I am discouraged when I see clergy trying to be one-man bands.
8. What makes you laugh?
Morecambe and Wise, Yes Minister, Dad’s Army, Private Eye, and jokes our grandchildren send us.
9. What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
Do not give up on the Anglican Communion around the world, whatever some noisy people in the CofE might do. Christians in Africa and Asia have a lot to teach us about keeping faith and passing it on.
10. Which Biblical person (other than Jesus) do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
The apostle Thomas. Did he really travel through West and South Asia and establish churches there, including the churches in India which are thus far older and have a deeper history going right back to Jesus than many Western churches?
the ENd word
Trust and obey like Joshua
Jon Barrett
Date posted: 7 Oct 2025
Back in the sultry, sunny days of the summer just gone, I spoke at an event that is an annual highlight of my year. It’s a bit of a niche gig, but it’s a weekend-long camp for Christian anglers.
From Friday evening until the middle of Sunday afternoon we live under canvas and pass the time sharing fellowship, eating together, fishing, and meeting for short Bible talks, times of prayer and worship, and an outdoor communion service on the Sunday morning. This year we took “Courage” as our theme and we began by looking at the first chapter of the book of Joshua.
Comment
Biblical orthodoxy
The news that a former FIEC-affiliated church has now become Eastern Orthodox (click here to read the article) is an interesting development.
It is a not untrodden path. One of the most influential Orthodox figures in the UK of the last century, the late Kallistos Ware, grew up in an evangelical home; and some while ago, Peter Gillquist, a former leader in Campus Crusade for Christ, led a whole group over to Orthodoxy in the USA.
Choose you this day whom ye will serve
Every year, when the end of October comes, the Western world dresses itself in darkness. Streets fill with images of death, devils, and horror. Even many who name the name of Christ shrug and say it is “harmless fun.” But the Christian must not reason as the world reasons.
“What does the Bible say?” is our standard (Romans 4v3). The Bible, not popular opinion, must govern your conscience. Halloween is not innocent. It is unbiblical in its meaning, pagan in its roots, and contrary to the holiness God requires of His people.
'Halloween isn't for Christians' - or is it?
My view of Halloween was turned upside down after an evangelism training day at my church.
I do like Halloween - as an opportunity to be welcoming to my local community, showing kindness through giving the children who knock at my door their choice of sweet treat - but oddly, I never saw it as an opportunity to declare the light of Christ.
Christian Nationalism and far-right exclusivism
In March 2026, Dame Sarah Mullally will be formally “enthroned” as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
In accordance with long-standing tradition, Mullally will kneel before King Charles and pay homage to the King as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
YouTube debates: Apologetics goldmine or frivolous rage-bait?
In recent months, the online sphere has seen the remarkable viral rise of the long-form YouTube debate format.
For example, the popular “Surrounded” debates, hosted by the channel Jubilee, feature one prominent debater, or public figure, taking on 20 individuals with an opposing view, in a format that crosses a gladiatorial battle with speed dating.
After darkness – the dawn?
There are good reasons to mark Reformation Sunday on 26 October, or indeed Reformation Day on the 31st.
We can give thanks for the reformation of the church, and especially for the recovery of the doctrine of justification by faith alone. We are reminded that we are part of the great tradition of the church going back to our forefathers at the time of the Reformation, and indeed to the early church and the apostles.
What does the Ryder Cup teach us about unity?
It was great to watch the compelling action of the Ryder Cup golf recently. The incredible unity amongst the European team was so clear to the global audience tuning in as they looked to keep hold of the trophy on American soil.
It had gone so well on the first two days of the competition, but the final day was quite a tense affair as the American team put themselves right back in contention. Towards the end of the final session of play the European team secured the victory, leading to much celebration. The sense of togetherness was wonderful and the unity across all the nations of Europe competing as one was clear for all to see.
Is it still possible to be Anglican and evangelical?
The appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally to one of the highest offices in the land has generated a huge amount of comment on different media platforms. As an Anglican leader myself, I’m going to try to briefly answer four questions that commonly arise.
For supporters, this shows that one of the last remaining “glass ceilings” for women in public life has been broken. A former senior nurse being the Archbishop now explicitly links the national Church of England, the kindness and care of the NHS, and the liberal values of the ruling establishment. Theologically orthodox churches around the world have received the message that their views have been ignored, even though this office is supposed to bring unity to a Communion of churches. The impact will go wider than this: how will the appointment be interpreted by powers with political, religious and commercial agendas around the world concerning the state of Britain today?
The Thirty-Nine Articles, one of the key founding documents or “formularies” of the Anglican Church, locates the source of authority concerning knowledge of God as trinity, human sin, the gospel of salvation, the Christian life and the church in the Scriptures not in any church leader, office or institution. The Book of Common Prayer on which Anglican worship is based, is reformed and evangelical in its theology. Article 26 recognises that “sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments”, but this does not invalidate “the grace of God’s gifts” which are received by faith regardless of the faithfulness or otherwise of the minister. Despite leadership by theologically compromised senior leaders especially in the Western world, there are many congregations in the Cof E where the word of God is faithfully preached and received, and millions of Anglicans around the world committed to “proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations” (the GAFCON slogan of the 2018 Jerusalem conference).
The GAFCON Jerusalem Statement of 2008, of which the shorter, 14 point Declaration is a part, states clearly that the foundation of Anglicanism is doctrinal: “While acknowledging the nature of Canterbury as an historic see, we do not accept that Anglican identity is determined necessarily through recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury.” This ground-breaking concept has been backed up with action. In parts of the world where governing bodies have led the “official” Canterbury-aligned denomination away from Bible-based faith, GAFCON, representing the majority of the world’s Anglicans, has stepped in to authorise a separate, orthodox Anglican jurisdiction. This means that, here in the UK and in continental Europe, there is a structure led by godly, Biblically faithful bishops, under which individuals can join existing congregations, congregations from other jurisdictions can join, and new churches can be planted. This is the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE), and perhaps it needs to be stressed, our region of Europe includes Britain and Ireland!
Many Anglican evangelicals have reiterated their commitment to remain in the Church of England, in impaired communion with bishops, perhaps with the hope of reforming it in future, while taking advantage of opportunities for mission which remain at local level. Some question the integrity of this, and are leaving, feeling that Anglicanism itself is inherently compromised. ANiE holds out another option: retaining good aspects of Anglican church governance, Scripture-soaked liturgy and being part of an historic movement of a genuinely global fellowship, having completely broken ties with Canterbury.
Revival: My experience with Al Qaeda-loving African chiefs
During the Second Great Awakening, a hot potato leapt from one set of anodyne pastor's hands to another: “Can churches plan a revival?” What do you think?
Stories of revival are sacred heirlooms passed down through the generations. My grandmother told me my great-great grandfather was led to Christ by George Muller of Bristol. Granny ‘Nett lisped revivals to her grandkids while other grandparents rhapsodized famous FA Cup finals, career choices, or U2 concerts.
Charles & the Pope: A Protestant plea
An open letter to King Charles III - on his planned visit with the Pope of Rome - from Pastor Pooyan Mehrshahi, Pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church, Cheltenham, and Chairman of Parsa Trust, a Persian Reformed ministry
Your Majesty,
A joyful reset: What ReNew gave me this year
I’ve come back from the ReNew conference with a spring in my step. The evening I got back, I told friends at dinner that I was “really very cheerful.” I said something about being heartened by time with teammates from across the country. And on reflection, here’s what blessed me most about ReNew.
Encouraged and equipped
I need all the help I can get to treasure Jesus. Bible teaching about His beautiful sacrificial leadership helped me. Singing to Him with hundreds of people helped me. News from other churches doing brave things because He's worth it – that helped me too.
The Middle East: Peace at last? A Christian perspective
Last week there was jubilation and relief as the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages were released from Gaza. In return, Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners and a further 1,700 detainees. This is hopefully a first tentative step towards building a peace process in the Middle East.
Of course there are many issues still to be resolved – for example, how Gaza might be governed and what the proposed multinational "stabilisation force" might look like.
Poverty: How faith moves mountains
On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October 2025), we are reminded that the fight against poverty is not just a policy issue or a humanitarian goal, it’s our Biblical mandate.
Around the world, churches are not only preaching hope; they are living it. In communities where poverty seems insurmountable, the church is often the first to respond, the last to leave and the most persistent in believing that change is possible.
Should we ban public displays of non-Christian faiths?
A speaker at the recent Unite the Kingdom march in London called for banning all public displays of non-Christian religions. But is he right?
Here's what he said: “Ban any type of public expression in our Christian nation from other religions. Ban Halal, ban Burqas. Ban mosques, ban temples, ban shrines - we don’t want those in our countries."
Ryder Cup: When individuals form a team
This year’s edition of the Ryder Cup once again delivered in spectacular style, bringing with it a level of drama, surprise, intensity and quality virtually unmatched by the rest of the year’s sporting calendar.
The golfing season already provides great entertainment from its four major championships alongside its other headline events on the PGA Tour. However, the Ryder Cup provides something altogether different from the norm, with its team format bringing out both the best and worst of the best golfers the USA and Europe have to offer.
How should we feel about the Gaza ceasefire?
The first sign was a hand-written note and a whisper in the ear of the American President. Indirect negotiations between Israel and Palestine had yielded fruit. Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for peace in the Middle East could be the basis for a serious and lasting end to the conflict in Gaza.
It came two years and two days after the incident that started the war: Hamas’ devastating attack on 7 October 2023 that killed over a thousand Israelis. As Israel then attacked and invaded the Palestinian territory of Gaza, it has resulted in many thousands more deaths. The war has also led to a humanitarian crisis within Gaza leaving people without food, shelter and clean water.
Ten questions with Chris Sugden
Chris Sugden has been married for 52 years to Elaine, a retired consultant cancer doctor, with three married children and nine grandchildren. He leads the PhD Programme of the Oxford Centre for Mission and Public Life with Stellenbosch University and is an associate minister at St Andrew’s Dean Court, Oxford.
1. How did you become a Christian?
My father was a vicar, as was my maternal great grandfather in Ireland, and I was a choirboy. So I grew up in the Christian community. I committed my life to Christ in the Sixth Form through the work of VPS camps at Lymington.
2. What lessons have you learnt since that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
Do not be afraid to stand up for what you know is right. You may lose (a role or post) in the short term, but God will use it to open new and wider fields of ministry.
3. How would you describe your prayer life?
Based on a daily reading of the Bible, focused on family and ministry needs and tasks, and shared with and helped by my wife.
4. Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot which I read as a student, to dare great things for God and expect great things from God. Theology of Liberation by Gustavo Gutierrez challenged me to take the Bible seriously on its teachings about the poor.
5. Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
My senior colleagues Vinay and Colleen Samuel with whom we worked in Bangalore for six years, and their family, and have continued to work with in a variety of ministries since then. They combine global vision, high academic standards, and grassroots involvement among poor people.
6. What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
To maintain the Biblical and Christian teaching and practice of man/woman marriage as taught in the Bible against the pressure to conform to passing preferences in the culture.
7. What encourages and what discourages you?
I am encouraged when someone steps forward and takes up a task as part of a team. I am discouraged when I see clergy trying to be one-man bands.
8. What makes you laugh?
Morecambe and Wise, Yes Minister, Dad’s Army, Private Eye, and jokes our grandchildren send us.
9. What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
Do not give up on the Anglican Communion around the world, whatever some noisy people in the CofE might do. Christians in Africa and Asia have a lot to teach us about keeping faith and passing it on.
10. Which Biblical person (other than Jesus) do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
The apostle Thomas. Did he really travel through West and South Asia and establish churches there, including the churches in India which are thus far older and have a deeper history going right back to Jesus than many Western churches?
Comedy, free speech and warnings from the past
Hannah Arendt was a Jewish philosopher who grew up in Nazi Germany. Eventually she had to flee to France and, after its fall, across the Atlantic to the United States.
Soon after the war she wrote a remarkable reflection on the events that led up to Adolf Hitler’s domination. In her work, The Origins of Totalitarianism, she observed: “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.” Control ideas and you control people.
Words are becoming cheapened and debased
“When words are many,” wrote Solomon – while his wisdom remained with him – “transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (Prov.10v19). It is a lesson that is especially timely right now.
We have never seen such a proliferation of words as we do today, due largely to the digital communication revolution. The inevitable result is that words become cheapened and debased. In the same way as a cash-strapped government discovers that mass money-printing leads to inflation, so it is with the reckless (mis)use of words. The more people talk – or text, or tweet, or emote, or sound off – the less they truly say. The purchasing power of their words is shrunk.
Trust and obey like Joshua
Back in the sultry, sunny days of the summer just gone, I spoke at an event that is an annual highlight of my year. It’s a bit of a niche gig, but it’s a weekend-long camp for Christian anglers.
From Friday evening until the middle of Sunday afternoon we live under canvas and pass the time sharing fellowship, eating together, fishing, and meeting for short Bible talks, times of prayer and worship, and an outdoor communion service on the Sunday morning. This year we took “Courage” as our theme and we began by looking at the first chapter of the book of Joshua.