In the penultimate episode of 2025, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Zanna Meynell discuss some of the biggest cultural and political conversations through a Biblical lens. How can we be brave and kind when talking about the welfare state and asylum system? The team also discuss rage-baiting – Oxford University Press’s word of the year. 

The welfare state, asylum system and rage baiting - Evangelical Alliance

In this week's episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Danny Webster, Mark Gilmore and Zanna Meynell react to Rachel Reeves' budget, having recorded straight after it finished. The team also talk about the Supreme Court ruling in regards to religious education in Northern Ireland and the announced puberty blockers trial. 

Rachel Reeves' budget: Christians react - Evangelical Alliance

Peter Lynas, UK director, and Alicia Edmund, head of public policy, follow up on June’s episode ‘Should we be concerned about Christian nationalism?’ to reflect on how protests, domestic and global politics events continue to divide communities and polarise debate in the UK.  

00:00 - Introduction 

In this week's episode of Cross Section, Alicia Edmund, Danny Webster and Peter Lynas focus on the media. With significant resignations at the BBC and questions around impartiality and bias, the team discuss finding trustworthy sources.

Where as Christians should we find our news?

How can we be good news people in our polarizing world?

https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/videos-and-podcasts/coming-soon-good-news-people

Cross Section - Evangelical Alliance

In this week's episode of Cross Section, Alicia Edmund, Peter Lynas and Zanna Meynell talk about this week's biggest news stories. The episode begins with a cultural roundup ranging from Celebrity Traitors to Prince Andrew becoming a 'commoner'. They then reflect on the Doncaster train attack, and how Christians can respond in faith.

The main conversation focuses on the rise in political extremes as the team look at the growing popularity of the Green party and discuss the recent reports about Tommy Robinson becoming a Christian. The episode finishes with a discussion about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and Trump's involvement in the conversation.

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/act/idop/

The surge of the Green party and Tommy Robinson's Christian conversion - Evangelical Alliance

In this episode of Cross Section, Alicia Edmund, Peter Lynas and Danny Webster discuss this week's key headlines. Conversation begins with Prince Andrew's decision to relinquish his titles and moves into a wider conversation around grooming gangs and how the church can speak into the issue of violence against women and girls.

They also talk about Graham Linehan and non-crime hate incidents and the controversy around the Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv football match. Conversation moves towards the Anglican church with a focus on the ongoing tensions around same-sex blessings and the growing divide in the Global Anglican Communion.

The episode closes with a discussion about Halloween and how Christians can navigate this cultural moment. 

https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/lighting-up-your-local-area-on-halloween

A defining moment for the Anglican church - Evangelical Alliance

In this episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund, and Danny Webster unpack some of the week’s major headlines. The main focus is the new peace deal in the Middle East, which has led to the release of hostages and a halt to attacks in Gaza. What is the significance of this agreement? What might rebuilding look like in Gaza? And could Trump really be in line for a Nobel Peace Prize?

Other stories include the rise in religious hate crimes in the UK, Tommy Robinson’s recent court case, and Andy Burnham’s comments on the role of faith groups in public life.

In this episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Danny Webster and Zanna Meynell discuss the announcement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Her announcement has sparked mixed reactions and prompted questions about how evangelicals can respond. The team also reflect on the attack at a synagogue last week and the fact that it has been two years since the attack on 7 October in Israel. It can be hard to know how to respond, but one thing we can do is pray. They also discuss the lack of interest in the Conservative party conference and how quickly the political landscape can change. 

Reflecting on two years from the October 7th attacks and the new archbishop - Evangelical Alliance

What makes Britain so great?

This week on Cross Section, Alicia Edmund, Peter Lynas and Danny Webster dive into the latest from the UK Labour Party Conference, exploring the theme of "Renew Britain", what that means for the nation and how Christians can think about this idea of national renewal. The team also discuss the proposed digital ID cards, the public's reaction, and how Christians might respond to these developments. Plus, we touch on news stories from around the world, including the situation in Nigeria, the Israel-Gaza peace proposal, and the Ryder Cup. 

What's So Great About Britain? | British GQ

Christian nationalism in the UK: a contest for the nation's soul? - Evangelical Alliance

Perspective: Talking Mission & Evangelism - Evangelical Alliance

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Episode Overview

In this week's episode of Cross Section, the team continue the discussion around Christian nationalism. They also give an update on what has been happening in regards to assisted suicide in the House of Lords and finish with a conversation around Starmer's recognition of Palestine and how Christians can engage.

https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/christian-nationalism-in-the-uk-a-contest-for-the-nations-soul

https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/a-glimmer-of-hope-the-lords-is-uncovering-the-truth-about-assisted-suicide