Book review: Created for Love
Created for Love
Edited by Theo Hobson and John Inge
Canterbury Press, 2025
I approached this book with some resignation. Anglicans, and contemporary Christians in general, live in a time dominated by a dialogue of the deaf when it comes to human sexuality. Conservative Christians fear that Biblical orthodoxy is being abandoned, while inclusive Christians feel that the time is well overdue to address the injustices of traditional attitudes. Any book which speaks into this debate is likely therefore to be hailed or decried by partisans according to whether their views are vindicated or attacked. Prejudgment reigns supreme. As this book is positive about the arguments for inclusion, it will not please every reader, if conservatives will even touch it with a reason other than to refute it.
It is a book which is a mix of both good and more steady theology and a thorough compendium of the arguments for change. Since it is made up of twelve short essays, arranged in six pairs, it never becomes wearisome, even if the subject matter is not as hermetically sealed as the labelling would suggest. Different sections are headed Bible, Church, Creation, Culture, Experience and Conscience, Prayer and Guidance, but in fact we never stray far from the Bible which is a reference point to which virtually all the writers gravitate.
Three bishops of the Church of England make their contributions: the bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, the retiring bishop of Bristol, Vivienne Faull, and the newly retired bishop of Worcester, John Inge. These essays are amongst the most personal in nature, as Bishop Steven reflects on his own journey of understanding, Bishop John notes the changes of Biblical interpretation that he has witnessed, and Bishop Vivienne reflects on the lessons learned by the processes surrounding the ordination of women.
However, there is a lot of personal testimony here. Gareth Wardell speaks eloquently about his own journey coming out as a gay Christian, and the hypocrisy by which the Church makes its judgements. Barnabas Palfrey reflects on his masculinity, although perhaps readers will want to excuse or even skip his extended reflection on the significance of his own penis.
Historical exegesis is also a major theme. Olivia Graham writes on the manner in which understandings of sexual bonding have evolved and changed, Mark Chapman explores the Church’s attitude to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s, and Theo Hobson the impact of societal change on the Church. Helen King focuses upon the revolutionary attitude of one early twentieth century campaigner for sexual liberation, Agnes Maude Royden. All these essays teach us perspective and the need to avoid facile and sweeping judgements.
Perhaps the book is strongest when it explores the possibility of new understandings of the place of marriage in the contemporary world of relationships. Charlie Bell, Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and Barnabas Palfrey all articulate a new vision of what the teaching of the Church could be like. Sam Wells is probably the most ambitious and urges Christians to abandon a soteriology based on atonement and Biblical obedience, and instead advocates for a theology centred upon relationship and an invitation into the deep and vibrant communion within God and with God.
My own favourite essays were those on the Bible. Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and Barnabas Palfrey make strong, intelligent and inspiring pitches for a view of the Biblical teaching on sex, marriage and relationships which aim to raise our vision and excite our passions rather than limit the Scriptures to the role of a legislative text. They offer a picture of the Bible which makes it worth reading — visionary, bold and transformative.
This book is hardly likely to make converts on the issue of human sexuality, but it will provide reassurance to those of an inclusive attitude that there are sound arguments from scripture, history and theology for an inclusive approach, which is not merely a sell-out to the contemporary world but richly founded within the tradition we have inherited.
Gregory K Cameron
Gregory is Bishop of St Asaph in the Church in Wales, and holds the portfolio for Faith, Order and Unity.
Created for Love can be bought through your bookshop or online here and elsewhere.
22 CommentsOpinion – 24 September 2025
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love Ken Leech Doing Theology in Altab Ali Park
Theo Hobson American theocracy?
Ian Paul Psephizo The demographic crisis in Church of England ministry
76 CommentsRole of the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Beverley
The Church of England has issued a press release on the role of the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Beverley; it is copied below.
Independent Reviewer examines roles of Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Beverley
23/09/2025
The Independent Reviewer, Canon Maggie Swinson, is recommending extra support for two bishops who provide extended episcopal oversight to parishes with a conservative stance on the ordination of women.
In a report published today, Canon Swinson explores the workload and geographical spread of the ministries of the Bishop of Beverley, Stephen Race, and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rob Munro.
Bishop Stephen – one of the Church of England’s Provincial Episcopal Visitors (PEVs) – is responsible for providing extended episcopal oversight to traditional catholic parishes across the North of England.
The report notes that the number of parishes under his remit increased following the retirement of the former Bishop of Wakefield, who had previously provided oversight to a number of traditional catholic churches in Yorkshire.
Bishop Rob serves complementarian evangelical congregations across the whole of England singlehandedly. The report notes that he has not only seen an increase over time in the number of parishes formally under his care, but that he also provides informal support to some others.
Canon Swinson notes that, as well as having more parishes under their care than many other bishops, the two bishops also travel much greater distances and the report explores the particular pastoral challenges of such a dispersed ministry.
She also notes that, unlike the PEVs who provide cover for each other in some cases, Bishop Rob currently has no one who can deputise for him.
Canon Swinson concludes that both bishops need extra support. She recommends that, as an interim measure, they could receive support with work which does not need to be carried out by a bishop, while longer term solutions are found.
- Read the full report here: House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests Review of ministry capacity of the Bishops of Beverley and Ebbsfleet
- The role of the Independent Reviewer was established under the House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests, drawn up in 2014 ahead of legislation paving the way for the consecration of women as bishops.
- The declaration, and the accompanying Five Guiding Principles, set out the arrangements for parishes that seek the priestly or episcopal ministry of men on grounds of theological conviction.
- The Independent Reviewer operates as ombudsman-style role, ruling on concerns and disputes over the operation of the declaration.
Opinion – 20 September 2025
Kelvin Holdsworth What is in Kelvin’s Head? We are not stewards
Ian Paul Psephizo Money, sex, and power: Will the next archbishop save the Church of England?
Francis Martin Church Times What are the most pressing issues facing the next Archbishop of Canterbury?
Madeleine Davies Church Times Church of England is in need of a structural survey
67 CommentsOpinion – 17 September 2025
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love Eighty years on – living creatively and optimistically in decadent times
Anon Surviving Church “As though they were gods…..”
31 CommentsLLF Autumn Update
The Church of England has published LLF Autumn Update: Preparing for Key Decisions. It starts
This Autumn, the House of Bishops will meet to consider further proposals on LLF, with a view to reporting their progress back to the meeting of the General Synod in February 2026. Extensive theological work by the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC) will be available to inform the bishops in their decision making. This includes advice on the nature of doctrine and how it develops, the text and context of the Prayers of Love and Faith, and the exemplarity of clergy life. In order to assist the bishops in their discernment, feedback received from the informal diocesan consultations will also be considered.
and continues with
- Key Dates
- What is Happening now?
- What is Being Prepared?
- FAQ.
Opinion – 13 September 2025
Rosalind Rutherford Women and the Church Bread and Stones
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love Tricksters versus magicians The state of the House of Bishops and worship in local churches
Kelvin Holdsworth What is in Kelvin’s Head? Listening to the Quiet Revival
94 CommentsOpinion – 6 September 2025
Tim Wyatt The Critical Friend Make or break
“Is the upcoming appointment of a new Archbishop of Canterbury the last chance saloon for the C of E to save itself?”
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church Learning Lessons from the Rise and Fall of the Nine O’Clock Service
Helen King sharedconversations Is there a quorum in the House of Bishops?
75 CommentsHouse of Survivors statement re Kennedys Law
House of Survivors has issued this statement on 3 September:
House of Survivors Statement
The recent Kennedys data breach has thrown many questions into the air for survivors, not least how will the law firm lead the Redress Scheme whilst at the same time fend off dozens of civil claims from the same group of people. This incident affects women and men who have already endured profound injustice and lifelong impact at the hands of the Church, and is a painful violation of trust and safety we had a right to expect. It also puts trust in the Redress Scheme into question for all Church of England context survivors.
House of Survivors’ view is that Kennedys will need to grasp the nettle and take the initiative – and offer the data breach survivors a fair compensation veering on the side of quantum generosity. It will save much time and anxiety, save Kennedys much in legal fees, avoid additional stress for the men and women affected when trust is low and tension is high. It will also enable Kennedys to claw back vital reputational ground. They will need to work imaginatively, probably outside of their usual playbook, and ahead of the Redress Scheme starting. We hope Kennedys might be keen to seize the moment as the loss to their business is likely to grow the longer they leave it. There will be some survivors who will wish to make civil claims through various law firms and clearly everyone needs to have the freedom to do this if they wish. That is everyone’s right. But in our view a proactive move by Kennedys will be the smart thing for the law firm to do.
Our biggest fear is that this mess left unaddressed will cause the Redress Scheme to be delayed – especially if the Church has to reconvene the Redress Scheme board to negotiate with new law firms. This could see the Scheme delayed by another one to two years. We suspect some in the hierarchy, particularly those who control Archbishops Council, may be privately hoping the whole thing will collapse and they can blame Kennedys. House of Survivors reminds those people that the reputational fallout will impact the Church just as greatly. We urge the Church to work with Kennedys to reassure all survivors that the Scheme is going ahead, will be closely monitored by an oversight committee with survivor input, and that both Kennedys and the Church will seek quickly and proactively to put things back on track.
House of Survivors
3 Sept 2025
Bishop of Warrington resigns
In a short item on the Liverpool diocesan website it has been announced that the Rt Revd Beverley Mason is to resign as suffragan Bishop of Warrington.
The Rt Revd Beverley A Mason has resigned as suffragan Bishop of Warrington in the Diocese of Liverpool. This will take effect from 1st October 2025.
The Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool says:
‘It is with heavy hearts we receive this news today. We are thankful for all that Bishop Bev has given in her ministry among us here in the Liverpool diocese. She goes with our love and prayers for the future.’Bishop Bev has written a letter to the people of the Diocese which can be read here
The letter is copied below.
We have covered earlier aspects of this story here and here.
50 CommentsOpinion – 3 September 2025
David Torrance House of Commons Library What is the Ecclesiastical Committee?
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love The Evolution or Regression of the Church of England
Scarlet Cassock “All the money’s gone — must be the choir’s fault”
[This is part 2; part 1 was published in July.]
Bishop of Oxford An Open Letter to Nigel Farage
38 CommentsHouse of Bishops minutes – 20-22 May 2025
The minutes of the May 2025 meeting of the Church of England’s House of Bishops are now available.
Although they are dated 18 June at the end, the internal file attributes have today’s date (1 Sept 2025).
There was a meeting in July, with an agenda and a press release, but, as yet, no minutes. The next meeting of the House is scheduled for 6-8 October.
Earlier minutes are online here.
16 Comments