This course considers the life and work of the church in today’s culture.

We will be discussing cutting-edge issues that people in the church, and in society more broadly, care about passionately: climate change, race, gender, the legacy of colonialism.

We will think about how key issues in today’s world might bring together people from within the church and in our wider society.

We will explore the idea that the church is a diverse expression of human culture, and will consider how doctrines are shaped by different cultural contexts.

This is an opportunity to think about how ministry, worship and mission might best respond to the cultural landscape we see in 21st century Britain, as well as considering other cultural contexts, both historical and geographical.

Ideas we’ll explore include:

What power can theology have against a toxic culture? We will look at this in the context of theology in Nazi Germany.

Is there a theological reason to combat climate change?

Contributors include:

Anupama Ranawana: Thematic Research Specialist for Christian Aid. Current research areas include: faith actors, localisation, decolonising development, race and racialisation in the international development sector, civic spaces and the impact of Covid 19. She also provides advisory support across the organisation on research design and ethics particularly with regards to diversifying knowledge production, ‘shifting’ power in research and applied research methods.

Anthony Reddie: Director for the Centre of Religion and Culture at Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford, and a Visiting Scholar at Sarum College. His latest book is Introducing James H Cone

Chris Whyte: PhD student at the University of St Andrews School of Divinity. His research focuses on the intersection of pneumatology, ecclesial ethics, and race, including modern concerns after Bonhoeffer and Azusa Street.

This is a postgraduate course open to ‘auditors’ e.g. those not enrolled for academic credit.

What does it mean to audit a course? 

Joining this course is an opportunity to have a study break in the beautiful Salisbury Cathedral Close, where residential participants enjoy full board, access to the library and to the pattern of liturgy at Salisbury Cathedral.

Whether it’s cultural events, sightseeing (Stonehenge is nearby for example) or shopping — there’s plenty to do if you’d like to extend your stay the weekend before and after the course. For ideas, visit Salisbury Cathedral Close attraction websites to see what’s on Sarum’s doorstep. Visit the Wiltshire Creative website to view events at nearby Salisbury Playhouse and the Salisbury Arts Centre. The Experience Salisbury website has an excellent city-wide listing of forthcoming events around the city.

Need financial assistance? View our list of grantmaking trusts

Enrolled students also may attend teaching weeks for modules in addition to the modules which they are studying for credit, by permission of the Programme Leader. Student rates for hospitality costs during a teaching week currently are: £250 (en-suite), £200 (standard) and £60 (non-residential), along with an educational fee of £125 per booking. The audit fee and hospitality prices are reviewed annually with any changes effective from 1 July.