Excited to share open access my new article on the Gregorian mission to Kent and why it stalled (Augustine heads back to Rome a month after setting out). TLDR version: Bede was wrong about nerves; the bishop of Arles was sitting on the money Pope Gregory was hoping to use doi.org/10.1017/S002...
www.positive.news/society/good... - more than half of the UK's electricity last year came from renewable energy sources.
Screenshot of database of biblical commentaries on the Internet Archive
Need a Biblical commentary? A while back I scoured the amazing Internet Archive to compile a database of some of the better academic and homiletical commentaries. Here's the list docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Title page of first volume of the Acta Sanctorum, compilation of Medieval saints lives by calendar date.
For late antique and medieval scholars, those who haven't come across it: the amazing Links Galore - my go-to for tracking Latin sources especially saints' lives and patristics docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
A4 ring binder with Ned's Atomic Dustbin stencil.
Time (aged 50) to let go of that 1990/1 History Boys vibe. My homemade A-level Tudor History ringbinder.
Worn lorry sign missing 'do not' from 'walk close to this vehicle'
Unfortunate sign wearage or sociopathic lorry driver...
2/ Tyndale, as so often, cuts through the religious language and multi-syllabic words, replacing 'scandelise' to say it is because his fellows were just 'hurt' by Jesus the 'worker' preaching (i.e. put out!). Brings things down to earth the simply human interactions, rivalries and egos at play.
Icon of Jesus preaching in synagogue
A couple of psychological reflections on today's gospel (Mt 13:53-end): 1/ Jesus 'can't do many miracles' in Nazareth because people didn't have enough belief. I wonder if pre-emptive rationalism and false humility might hinder more liberal Christians from even praying for certain things...
Staff at University of Reading at the farewell celebration for outgoing Anglican Chaplain
First post on Bluesky marks my final day after 20 years as Anglican Chaplain to the University of Reading on behalf of Oxford Diocese. A wonderful time and very grateful for kind colleagues. Moving next to become vicar at St Nicolas church Earley @oxforddiocese.bsky.social.