""When we talk about renewal, we can’t only mean economic renewal. There has to be a moral and cultural renewal too, otherwise the word is empty.”"
In this week’s episode of Cross Section, we explore the complex questions at the heart of national identity, politics and faith. Alicia Edmund is joined by Danny Webster and Peter Lynas for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with a news roundup of the stories that have caught our eyes this week. The conversation ranges from Bill Maher’s comments on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, to Trump and Netanyahu’s proposed“eternal peace” plan for Israel and Gaza, the Ryder Cup, and JK Rowling’s cultural clashes.
The team then turns to the UK Labour Party Conference and its theme of“Renew Britain”. Having recorded twenty minutes after Sir Keir Starmer’s speech, the team reflect on his comments and touch on Shabana Mahmood’s speech. What does renewal look like in politics today? Can patriotism be healthy, or does it inevitably slip into nationalism? And how should Christians think about national identity, considering our kingdom identity?
We also dive into the hotly debated proposal for a mandatory digital ID to prove the right to work. With millions signing petitions against it, the team ask: what are the implications for freedom, justice and the church’s role in society?
As questions around data protection and technology arise, the team also point to an upcoming webinar on the church and AI.
As always, we are keen for you to join the conversation. What does it mean for you to be a Christian and patriotic? What did you agree with or disagree with in this episode?
Email us at crosssection@eauk.org – we would love to hear from you.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and episode overview
00:40 – News roundup: Nigeria, Israel-Gaza, and cancel culture
04:25 – The Ryder Cup, public discourse and forgiveness
05:47 – ‘What’s So Great About Britain?’ GQ magazine & British values
08:03 – Labour party conference: “Renew Britain” theme
21:40 – Patriotism, nationalism, and Christian identity
24:40 – Listener challenge: what does it mean to be a Christian and patriotic?
26:28 – Digital ID proposal: poll results and public reaction
27:18 – Digital tracking, privacy, and cultural context
28:36 – Christian perspectives on digital ID and technolog
35:33 – Upcoming webinar & closing thoughts
Further reading:
