Jesus, to be sure, often spent long times alone in prayer. But he was also deeply at home where there was a party, a kingdom party, a celebration of the fact that God was at last taking charge.

Almost all the early Christian Fathers were opposed to the death penalty, even though it was of course standard practice across the ancient world.

If you read 1 John you'll see that love of God and neighbour are very closely tied together. Partly this is because all humans are made in God's image, so that when you love another human you are loving someone who is reflecting God himself. Of course there is a distinction but the minute you try to drive a wedge between the two things start to fall apart.

All Christian language about the future is a set of signposts pointing into a mist.

I remember one particular moment (I don't actually know how old I was, but I guess around 7 or something like that) when I remember actually weeping. I was by myself in a room in the house, and I was just crying because I realized how much Jesus loved me.

Fortunately, Paul is much more interesting than most of his interpreters, myself included.

Within orthodoxy, there is always a danger of faith collapsing into fear.