Some traditional loyalties bind us to dominant economic, political, social and religious systems, says Simon Barrow. The Gospel of Jesus turns such commitments upside down.

The season of Advent is about waiting and anticipation. But what kind of Jesus is the church expecting by the way it behaves, asks Simon Barrow. What is it truly mortgaging itself on?

The current global financial crisis is a spiritual one with usury at its heart, argues political economist Ann Pettifor. In spite of the Gospel message, Christians have also colluded in idolising wealth above people and planet.

Christians have lived in conformity to the ethics of Caesar too long, says Simon Barrow. As Christendom fades, fresh possibilities for peace emerge from a renewed understanding of what it means to be the Body of Christ.

Some sections of the Anglican Communion are convinced that only their narrow vision of what is permissible in faithfulness to the Christian message is adequate, says Simon Barrow. But they are confounded by the biblical texts they claim loyalty to.

The Rev Philip Potter, a former general secretary of the World Council of Churches, has been honoured by the South African government for his determined commitment to combatting racism and apartheid in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Gospel has been much talked about but practically sidelined under Christendom, says Jonathan Bartley. Rediscovering the radicalism of Jesus' message is vital to the recovery of a proper public role for Christian faith.

Three Free Church Christian denominations in the UK are urging voters to take a clear stand against racist and extreme political parties as election day for local councils in England and Wales draws nearer.