Thanks Jason. This is so helpful. The title is wonderfully incisive. Christ transcends all of our cultural prejudices, political leanings and algorithm formation. So much of the critique of Christian nationalism so far has sounded to me like criticism of someone else's cultural conditioning whilst largely blind to their own.
"So much of the critique of Christian nationalism so far has sounded to me like criticism of someone else's cultural conditioning whilst largely blind to their own."
Much more succinct than me :-). And looking again at critiques, most of them amount to pure cultural commentary — no genuine concern for the gospel or where Christ might be found. They surrendered that ground long ago. Even asking where Christ and the gospel might be at work can sound impossibly naïve to minds overly shaped by ideology. But those who pursue Christ for the sake of the world need to keep looking for him in the midst of moments like this. Thanks for reading and comments!
Thank you for this Jason, it has helped my journey towards greater understanding of what is happening at this moment in our Nation. I have been a passionate Spirit filled follower of Jesus in the UK for over 45 years.
Two weeks ago at a large London Pentecostal Church, a respected Christian leader commented, during a message about what seems to be happening to the church in the UK in this season, that it is like our clothes suddenly no longer fit. They have become most uncomfortable!
Everything we have known as Believers is changing, shifting, shaking. Everyone seems to have different and conflicting opinions about it all. Even in the last few days, Christian friends, who I have judged mature, rational and who I have journeyed alongside, are condemning in almost hysterical terms, TR and UTK.
I am going to London on 13th to the Carol Service, not because I am a supporter of UTK, TR or any of the figureheads of this movement, but because I too have been sensing a shift here in the UK; a blowing of the wind of The Holy Spirit, the intensity of which has markedly increased in recent months. Could this even be a pivotal day that will be part of heralding in something remarkable?
Habakkuk 1:5 comes to mind:
“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.
Thanks for reading and your reflections. I'd love to hear what you discover on the 13th. Be blessed as you are present. I pray you have divine appointments to help seekers find Christ.
Great article thank you Jason. I'm in absolute agreement with you. The title Dirty Revival is a useful one in many ways.... The unexpected God turns up at Christmas in unexpected ways. Extremely well written and thought through. So many things to agree with you here. Kevin
Oh yes. But some things are more important than being popular :-) I'm very open to people pointing out holes in my thinking/suggestions, but not to ideological posturing.
Hi. Today's the day the quiet revival starts! (Only joking).
This is an interesting read but I have a few reservations as a lefty believer...
1. How do we know that Christ will turn up in Whitehall today? What if he thinks it is the blind leading the blind?
2. I'm not convinced Robinson's conversion is genuine. If it was then why hasn't he stepped down according to his (clearly no longer sick) conscience?
3. Your point about us getting irate about a carol service is actually quite valid. But, obs, it's no more 'just a carol service' than electro-shock therapy is 'just a therapy'.
4. Every revival is historically dirty. The origin of the term 'dirty revival' comes from the far right (who don't like to be called prejudiced and racist because they say they are not prejudiced, and will not be judged by those of us who don't embrace our prejudices). I hope that made sense. I'm sure it didnt :-)
5. Most people don't even know or believe that a quiet revival is even happening because it is so quiet. Which is why it is good that you are speaking about this. At least you sound like a relatively moderate voice.
All eyes on Whitehall now as we wait for God to finally act through his chosen vessel! Hallelujah!
So why would we even think about complaining!? Or asking questions?
Would be fun if it started today, but it might stop being quiet :-)
1. I think we don’t know that Christ will “turn up” anywhere today — Whitehall included. If he does, it may well be in judgment rather than endorsement :-) History suggests Jesus has a habit of showing up in places we wouldn’t choose, and saying things that unsettle everyone involved. None of us get to choreograph that I think.
2. I’ve tried to be careful not to pronounce on it either way. Conversion is rarely tidy or immediate, especially when played out in public. Whether this bears fruit or not is something time will reveal. My interest is less in affirming or condemning one individual, and more in what this moment says about the wider spiritual and cultural landscape.
3. Yep. I agree — it’s obviously not “just a carol service.” That phrase can obscure as much as it clarifies. My point wasn’t to sanitise it, but to question why this particular public use of Christian symbols provokes such intensity, while other politicised uses of faith seem to pass with far less comment.
4. Perhaps just like the left likes to say they are kind and inclusive, apart from those who disagree with :-) I’m not especially attached to the phrase “dirty revival” either. The point I was making/trying to make is simply that genuine spiritual movements rarely arrive with clean edges, approved leaders, or good optics. They tend to surface amid confusion and mixed motives, which is precisely why discernment matters more than quick enthusiasm or instant dismissal.
5. Thank you!
We should ask questions. We should be cautious. We should challenge what needs challenging. My concern is only that our questions don’t become a way of resolving our discomfort too quickly, or of keeping ourselves safely at a distance while something messy but revealing is going on.
I’m not waiting for God to act through any “chosen vessel” in Whitehall. I am trying to pay attention to what this moment might be exposing — about faith, fear, longing, identity, and the state of Christianity in this country. That feels worth attending to, even if — maybe especially if — it makes all of us a bit uncomfortable. Thanks for reading and your comments.
Thanks for replying Jason. I have somehow found myself watching the 'carol service' online on YouTube. There are not many people there. Hopefully they don't blame the Christians for that.... (gulp).
Thanks Jason. This is so helpful. The title is wonderfully incisive. Christ transcends all of our cultural prejudices, political leanings and algorithm formation. So much of the critique of Christian nationalism so far has sounded to me like criticism of someone else's cultural conditioning whilst largely blind to their own.
"So much of the critique of Christian nationalism so far has sounded to me like criticism of someone else's cultural conditioning whilst largely blind to their own."
Much more succinct than me :-). And looking again at critiques, most of them amount to pure cultural commentary — no genuine concern for the gospel or where Christ might be found. They surrendered that ground long ago. Even asking where Christ and the gospel might be at work can sound impossibly naïve to minds overly shaped by ideology. But those who pursue Christ for the sake of the world need to keep looking for him in the midst of moments like this. Thanks for reading and comments!
Thank you for this Jason, it has helped my journey towards greater understanding of what is happening at this moment in our Nation. I have been a passionate Spirit filled follower of Jesus in the UK for over 45 years.
Two weeks ago at a large London Pentecostal Church, a respected Christian leader commented, during a message about what seems to be happening to the church in the UK in this season, that it is like our clothes suddenly no longer fit. They have become most uncomfortable!
Everything we have known as Believers is changing, shifting, shaking. Everyone seems to have different and conflicting opinions about it all. Even in the last few days, Christian friends, who I have judged mature, rational and who I have journeyed alongside, are condemning in almost hysterical terms, TR and UTK.
I am going to London on 13th to the Carol Service, not because I am a supporter of UTK, TR or any of the figureheads of this movement, but because I too have been sensing a shift here in the UK; a blowing of the wind of The Holy Spirit, the intensity of which has markedly increased in recent months. Could this even be a pivotal day that will be part of heralding in something remarkable?
Habakkuk 1:5 comes to mind:
“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.
Thanks for reading and your reflections. I'd love to hear what you discover on the 13th. Be blessed as you are present. I pray you have divine appointments to help seekers find Christ.
Great article thank you Jason. I'm in absolute agreement with you. The title Dirty Revival is a useful one in many ways.... The unexpected God turns up at Christmas in unexpected ways. Extremely well written and thought through. So many things to agree with you here. Kevin
Thanks and for reading!
Well said Jason. Totally agree
You’re not going to be popular though, but I guess you know that
Oh yes. But some things are more important than being popular :-) I'm very open to people pointing out holes in my thinking/suggestions, but not to ideological posturing.
Thank you
Hi. Today's the day the quiet revival starts! (Only joking).
This is an interesting read but I have a few reservations as a lefty believer...
1. How do we know that Christ will turn up in Whitehall today? What if he thinks it is the blind leading the blind?
2. I'm not convinced Robinson's conversion is genuine. If it was then why hasn't he stepped down according to his (clearly no longer sick) conscience?
3. Your point about us getting irate about a carol service is actually quite valid. But, obs, it's no more 'just a carol service' than electro-shock therapy is 'just a therapy'.
4. Every revival is historically dirty. The origin of the term 'dirty revival' comes from the far right (who don't like to be called prejudiced and racist because they say they are not prejudiced, and will not be judged by those of us who don't embrace our prejudices). I hope that made sense. I'm sure it didnt :-)
5. Most people don't even know or believe that a quiet revival is even happening because it is so quiet. Which is why it is good that you are speaking about this. At least you sound like a relatively moderate voice.
All eyes on Whitehall now as we wait for God to finally act through his chosen vessel! Hallelujah!
So why would we even think about complaining!? Or asking questions?
Hi Nick,
Would be fun if it started today, but it might stop being quiet :-)
1. I think we don’t know that Christ will “turn up” anywhere today — Whitehall included. If he does, it may well be in judgment rather than endorsement :-) History suggests Jesus has a habit of showing up in places we wouldn’t choose, and saying things that unsettle everyone involved. None of us get to choreograph that I think.
2. I’ve tried to be careful not to pronounce on it either way. Conversion is rarely tidy or immediate, especially when played out in public. Whether this bears fruit or not is something time will reveal. My interest is less in affirming or condemning one individual, and more in what this moment says about the wider spiritual and cultural landscape.
3. Yep. I agree — it’s obviously not “just a carol service.” That phrase can obscure as much as it clarifies. My point wasn’t to sanitise it, but to question why this particular public use of Christian symbols provokes such intensity, while other politicised uses of faith seem to pass with far less comment.
4. Perhaps just like the left likes to say they are kind and inclusive, apart from those who disagree with :-) I’m not especially attached to the phrase “dirty revival” either. The point I was making/trying to make is simply that genuine spiritual movements rarely arrive with clean edges, approved leaders, or good optics. They tend to surface amid confusion and mixed motives, which is precisely why discernment matters more than quick enthusiasm or instant dismissal.
5. Thank you!
We should ask questions. We should be cautious. We should challenge what needs challenging. My concern is only that our questions don’t become a way of resolving our discomfort too quickly, or of keeping ourselves safely at a distance while something messy but revealing is going on.
I’m not waiting for God to act through any “chosen vessel” in Whitehall. I am trying to pay attention to what this moment might be exposing — about faith, fear, longing, identity, and the state of Christianity in this country. That feels worth attending to, even if — maybe especially if — it makes all of us a bit uncomfortable. Thanks for reading and your comments.
Thanks for replying Jason. I have somehow found myself watching the 'carol service' online on YouTube. There are not many people there. Hopefully they don't blame the Christians for that.... (gulp).
I could probably give you live updates here (seriously) :-D But some of those Christian leaders look a bit rough and I have bills to pay.
Happy xmas.
There is always next Christmas. Meanwhile may the Lord sustain you.