Simon Cross
@simonjcross.bsky.social
Writer, activist, URC minister, Uni chaplain, music journalist 🎶, social scientist & doctor of theology (#process). Chair of the Progressive Christianity Network (Britain). Live & work in Hull & East Riding of Yorkshire. Simonjcross.substack.com ✒️.
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Simon Cross
@simonjcross.bsky.social
· Jan 9
The Uncontrolling Love Of God
This three day conference explores ideas offered by open and relational Christian theologies, including process theology.
Bit.ly
I'm excited to tell you about a conference that @thomasjayoord.bsky.social and I are co-organising, it will be of interest to anyone in the UK who's interested in #processtheology or other open and relational theologies. Line-up and programme announcements coming soon. Get tickets now.
Bit.ly/ort25
Bit.ly/ort25
Reposted by Simon Cross
My small offering, for Jyoti and the other peaceful protestors arrested under #Article13 of the #TACT2000, and for environmental campaigners willing to risk the same. Respect. This what it is coming to.
#Poetry #Poem
Numbers (522/532) and individuals taken from www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
#Poetry #Poem
Numbers (522/532) and individuals taken from www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
August 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
My small offering, for Jyoti and the other peaceful protestors arrested under #Article13 of the #TACT2000, and for environmental campaigners willing to risk the same. Respect. This what it is coming to.
#Poetry #Poem
Numbers (522/532) and individuals taken from www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
#Poetry #Poem
Numbers (522/532) and individuals taken from www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Simon Cross
Speaking in this series at St Paul’s Cathedral this lunchtime. Up early to compensate for any travel delays! www.stpauls.co.uk/whats-on/flo...
Flourishing? Women’s bodies and the history of Christianity | St Paul's Cathedral
www.stpauls.co.uk
June 1, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Speaking in this series at St Paul’s Cathedral this lunchtime. Up early to compensate for any travel delays! www.stpauls.co.uk/whats-on/flo...
@thomasjayoord.bsky.social and I spoke with the good people at @shibbolethmag.bsky.social for their Beer Christianity podcast - we covered a lot of ground!
www.beerchristianity.co.uk/episodes/unc...
www.beerchristianity.co.uk/episodes/unc...
Episode 112: The uncontrolling God - Simon Cross and Thomas Oord — Beer Christianity
Is God all-powerful? How does that square with ***gestures to everything happening***? Simon Cross and Thomas Oord talk to Beer Christianity about Process theology, Open theology and relational theol...
www.beerchristianity.co.uk
May 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
@thomasjayoord.bsky.social and I spoke with the good people at @shibbolethmag.bsky.social for their Beer Christianity podcast - we covered a lot of ground!
www.beerchristianity.co.uk/episodes/unc...
www.beerchristianity.co.uk/episodes/unc...
I spoke to the nice people at Reform magazine about progressive Christianity and other things, including my addiction to writing... you can listen to it here. creators.spotify.com/pod/show/the...
What is the point of progressive Christianity? – Series 4 Episode 1 by The United Reformed Church Podcast
Simon Cross is a brand new minister, but an older hand at big theological questions. The team talk about suffering, community living, and who is God. Meanwhile, Ann-Marie tries to broaden Steve's hori...
creators.spotify.com
May 19, 2025 at 8:46 AM
I spoke to the nice people at Reform magazine about progressive Christianity and other things, including my addiction to writing... you can listen to it here. creators.spotify.com/pod/show/the...
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
simonjcross.substack.com
May 19, 2025 at 8:19 AM
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...
No lectionary substack from me this week, but I did record this a few days ago.
youtu.be/o04Gz_Fu9-k?...
youtu.be/o04Gz_Fu9-k?...
Episode 156 with Simon Cross for Sunday 4th May
YouTube video by Joint Public Issues Team
youtu.be
April 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
No lectionary substack from me this week, but I did record this a few days ago.
youtu.be/o04Gz_Fu9-k?...
youtu.be/o04Gz_Fu9-k?...
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...
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...
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.
www.quaker.org.uk
April 11, 2025 at 9:33 AM
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...
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...
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...
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).
open.substack.com
April 7, 2025 at 8:17 AM
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...
Something that I wrote about @thomasjayoord.bsky.social 's idea of amipotence - is the parrot alive, or not?
c4ort.com/essays/the-p...
c4ort.com/essays/the-p...
The Palindrome of “Bolton”Would Be “Notlob!” - Center for Open & Relational Theology
The Palindrome of “Bolton”Would Be “Notlob!” By Simon Cross Amipotence is welcome as a “half-truth,” but we must not give it the misplaced concreteness we gave its predecessor. The scene … Continue re...
c4ort.com
March 28, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Something that I wrote about @thomasjayoord.bsky.social 's idea of amipotence - is the parrot alive, or not?
c4ort.com/essays/the-p...
c4ort.com/essays/the-p...
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...
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)
www.eventbrite.com
March 20, 2025 at 10:42 AM
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...
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.
March 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
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.
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/pub/simonjcr...
Progressive reflections on the lectionary #56
Luke 4: 1-13 Lent begins with a retelling of the old temptation story
open.substack.com
March 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
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/pub/simonjcr...
Reposted by Simon Cross
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
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
March 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
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
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
Reposted by Simon Cross
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
🎧 Listen: theodisc.podbean.com/e/roger-mitc... or watch: youtu.be/e92ObQNZVlY
#podcast #theology #Jesus
February 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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
🎧 Listen: theodisc.podbean.com/e/roger-mitc... or watch: youtu.be/e92ObQNZVlY
#podcast #theology #Jesus
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.
Peace and love my sweary friends.
February 26, 2025 at 12:28 PM
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.
Peace and love my sweary friends.
Reposted by Simon Cross
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
#relational #ecumenical
Get tickets now.
Bit.ly/ort25
The Uncontrolling Love Of God
This three day conference explores ideas offered by open and relational Christian theologies, including process theology.
Bit.ly
February 21, 2025 at 7:35 PM
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
#relational #ecumenical
Get tickets now.
Bit.ly/ort25
"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/pub/simonjcr...
Progressive reflections on the lectionary #54
Luke 6: 27 - 38 The Axial Ethic
open.substack.com
February 17, 2025 at 10:53 AM
"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/pub/simonjcr...
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...
Here's the most recent one. simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...
Progressive reflections on the lectionary #53
Luke 6: 17-22 Blessings and woes
simonjcross.substack.com
February 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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...
Here's the most recent one. simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...
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.
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.
February 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
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.
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.
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...?
www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebrat...?
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.
www.eventbrite.com
February 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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...?
www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebrat...?
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.
February 4, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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.
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.
February 4, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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.
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...
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)
simonjcross.substack.com
February 3, 2025 at 9:09 AM
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...
simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...
Reposted by Simon Cross
A lost ancient text implying that Jesus was gay is discovered in the 1950s... but is it genuine?
I've just posted a new article!
"Cops arrest rabbi in park with naked teenager"
A piece on the notorious Secret Gospel of Mark
Website version: www.robindouglas.org/post/cops-ar...
Substack version: religionoffthebeatentrack.substack.com/p/cops-arres...
"Cops arrest rabbi in park with naked teenager"
A piece on the notorious Secret Gospel of Mark
Website version: www.robindouglas.org/post/cops-ar...
Substack version: religionoffthebeatentrack.substack.com/p/cops-arres...
‘Cops arrest rabbi in park with naked teenager’
The strange story of the Secret Gospel of MarkIn my recent piece on the unexpected finding of religious texts, I left out the most famous example from recent years of such a text being found.I’d like ...
www.robindouglas.org
January 31, 2025 at 11:55 AM
A lost ancient text implying that Jesus was gay is discovered in the 1950s... but is it genuine?
Today's "Side Ways" presented by Matthew Syed on BBC R4 is a great introduction to the idea of decay leading to creation, a key underpinning of #process thought. Syed talks about William Basinsky's 'Disintegration Loops' & the power of seeing everything as impermanent.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Sideways - 69. Memento Mori - BBC Sounds
Matthew Syed confronts the passage of time and the inexorability of decay.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Today's "Side Ways" presented by Matthew Syed on BBC R4 is a great introduction to the idea of decay leading to creation, a key underpinning of #process thought. Syed talks about William Basinsky's 'Disintegration Loops' & the power of seeing everything as impermanent.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...