Talking Theology

What do we do when the Bible seems just plain offensive? In particular, what about John's Gospel, which many people have seen as anti-Jewish? If Jesus was a Jew, why does John record him speaking negatively about "the Jews"? Would John be surprised by how his Gospel has been used over the years? And in a divided world, what hope can John's Gospel bring to us today?Dr Andy (Andrew) Byers is a New Testament scholar, and Director of the Free Church Track at Cranmer Hall.For more about Andy Byers, see here.

What has comedy got to do with theology? What does the Bible have to say about laughter? What power does comedy have to convey truth about God and his world? Can God minister to us through humour? And how can comedy give us hope?Kate Bruce was formerly Deputy Warden at Cranmer Hall, and is now an RAF chaplain. She is the author of Igniting the Heart: Preaching and Imagination (SCM Press).

Why does theology need to listen to science? What does it have to say about the beginning of the world? Or the end? What happens when we pray? Is there intelligent life on other planets? (Or this planet?) And what's it like to be both a scientist and a theologian?Professor David Wilkinson is Principal of St John's College, Durham. David has PhDs in both astrophysics and theology, and is an ordained Methodist minister.For more about David Wilkinson, see here.