Culture

Our curated articles offering new takes on the big themes and questions in our culture. Plus reviews of books, film, media and experiences. Culture is one of four key themes covered by Seen & Unseen.

Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A Chinese stamp depicts a map of the country from which people march holding a little red book

Remembering red on red

Simon Burton-Jones
The cultural revolution's factions have a disconcertingly contemporary feel.
4min read
Essay
  1. Culture
  2. Freedom of Belief
A black clad pilgrim squats and holds his head on the side of a desert road as other pilgrims walk along.

Inside one of the world's great pilgrimages

Andrew Thompson
Invited to experience Arbaeen, a vicar ponders its perpetual lament.
8min read
Column
  1. Culture
  2. Eating
A tired-looking chef turns around to look across his shoulder.

We could all benefit from hospitality’s bear hug

Krish Kandiah
In a compelling series, The Bear offers a richer and nuanced redemptive journey.
6min read
Article
  1. AI
  2. Culture
Two construction workers stand and talk with a humanoid AI colleague.

We’ll learn to live with AI: here’s how

Andrew Briggs
AI might just help us with life’s dilemmas, if we are responsible.
10min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Podcasts
A casually dressed man perches on railing balancing, clasping his hands and looking around.

Seen & Unseen Aloud: Easter

Nick Jones
The big questions of our experience. Is temperance vital? What's more real than raw politics? And, are we loved and missed?
1min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A poet stands and speaks, raising an arm.

Theresa Lola's poetical hope

Jonathan Evens
The death-haunted yet lyrical, joyful and moving poet for a new generation.
5min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A woman in 18th century clothes sits within a windowsill reading a book

The beliefs that made Jane Austen and her world

Beatrice Scudeler
A ‘fashionable goodness’ lay at the heart of the author and her writing.
6min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. War & peace
An orthodox cathedral, with prominent roof domes.

Letter from the Balkans

George Pitcher
An audience with a crown prince tells the story of troubled lands and resilient inhabitants.
4min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Politics
A marbles staircase rises on four sides of a chamber.

Re-enchanting councils - and glum councillors

Elizabeth Wainwright
Local government could be a place of humanity and beauty more than lifeless language and procedures.
6min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Podcasts
A woman sits and speaks into a desktop microphone and holds both hands up and out expressively.

Lisa Fields: re-enchanting black voices

Nick Jones
Belle and Justin talk to Lisa about unique challenges that people of colour face when it comes to Christian faith.
1min read
Essay
  1. AI
  2. Culture
In the style of an icon of the Council of Nicea, theologians look on as a cyborg and humanoid AI shake hands

Here’s why AI needs a theology of tech

Oliver Dürr
As AI takes on tasks once exclusively human, we start to doubt ourselves. We need to set the balance right.
9min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Podcasts
Jon Tilkin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Seen & Unseen Aloud: 1st anniversary special

Nick Jones
We are one! We're revisiting some popular articles: joy at a Jacob Collier concert, and NT Wright on Easter, creation and justice.
1min read