Patheos Featured Writers

matthew allen
Matthew Allen
Writer
Matthew Allen is a writer and musician based in Northern Ireland. He is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, where he studied Theology and Liberal Arts.
Works by Matthew Allen
Even if there were such a paradise on earth, who can say for sure that old antipathies......
To Die With Dignity?
Matthew Allen | June 14, 2024
What does it mean to ‘die with dignity’? This approach will, I hope, yield more insight......
Reflections From an Irish Border Town
Matthew Allen | May 09, 2024
Let us be thankful that by the grace of God and the courage of our people, the cause of......
Tips For When Reading To Your Church
Matthew Allen | May 09, 2024
Elevate worship through passionate public reading of Scripture in your congregation....
Music, Nature and Creation
Matthew Allen | April 10, 2024
Music-making is a deep-rooted, even primordial, part of our nature: as old as man,......
It’s a healthy thing for the Church to give its take on political issues, provided it do......
Evangelism = Normalizing Christianity?
Matthew Allen | March 15, 2024
Discover how Ash Wednesday's symbolic act of wearing ashes ignites conversations about......
All told, religion still plays a sizeable part in the politics of Northern Ireland......
Two Decades on: The Passion of the Christ
Matthew Allen | February 07, 2024
Released in 2004, "The Passion of the Christ" is a film which explores deep connections......
Urban vs. Rural Ministry: An Interview with Dr....
Matthew Allen | February 07, 2024
Ministry may differ in its outward form; but our common faith overcomes all the......
Back to Bethlehem Already?
Matthew Allen | January 15, 2024
Embark on a spiritual exploration of Epiphanytide beyond the festive season. Discover......
Skyrim is violent, GTA is violent, DOOM made it to the Supreme Court because of violence......
Christmas: A Tale of Two Kings
Matthew Allen | December 13, 2023
When it comes to the Gospel accounts of what happened on that first Christmas, the lens......
Can I Be Free From Fear?
Matthew Allen | November 09, 2023
In Christianity, God’s deliverance of us from fear — in this life, anyway — seems more......
Baptism and the Search For Meaning
Matthew Allen | November 09, 2023
To be baptized is to become part of a family: the parish family, but also the worldwide......
Coping With Pet Bereavement
Matthew Allen | October 17, 2023
God will help you heal from losing your furry loved ones....
An Anglican Take on “Footprints in the Sand”
Matthew Allen | September 20, 2023
"Footprints in the Sand," is a cherished Christian poem that transcends generations.,......
Psalm 95: 'Come Let Us Worship'
Matthew Allen | August 08, 2023
There are wonders in this world, on this island, so sublime as to put us in touch with......
Psalm 95: 'A Great King Above All Gods'
Matthew Allen | August 08, 2023
Psalm 95 exults in the thrill of secure faith in God. It celebrates with all who ‘cry......
It’s time for PCI to swallow this dose of reality. Focus on the things, like outreach......
We should strengthen our efforts to help LGBT refugees, not only those from Uganda but......
A British coronation is a fundamentally Christian ceremony, but such is our tradition...
Why Do So Many Songs Use Christian Imagery?
Matthew Allen | June 13, 2023
From metal to folk, religious imagery and patterns are used frequently to convey......
Emery’s “You Stole God from Me”
Matthew Allen | May 10, 2023
Emery’s “You Stole God from Me” is a unique blend of religious overtones with some......
Does faith belong in political discourse, or does it fit in worse than a Mormon prophet......
Equal Ordination? Good Riddance!
Matthew Allen | March 13, 2023
Things have gone far enough, women's clergy has to stop. ...
There Are More Irish Saints Than Just Patrick!
Matthew Allen | March 13, 2023
There Are More Irish Saints Than Just Patrick...
Churches as Learning Hubs
Matthew Allen | February 08, 2023
Churches as Learning Hubs...
Benedict Ratzingers Eschatology - a reflection of the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of......
An Anglican Country Belle
Matthew Allen | January 10, 2023
Before we were born, the Anglican Country Belle was in her prime. Should God spare her,......
The Book of Romans Megadecibel Tour
Matthew Allen | January 09, 2023
If we high churchmen are free to serve God’s Kingdom in an unassuming way, then we must......
An Anglican in Edinburgh
Matthew Allen | December 16, 2022
An Anglican in Edinburgh...
Generational Solidarity
Matthew Allen | December 15, 2022
Generational Solidarity...
The Litany Keeps Things in Perspective
Matthew Allen | November 28, 2022
The Litany Keeps Things in Perspective...
The Midnight Club: A Meditation on Human Solidarity
Matthew Allen | November 17, 2022
The Midnight Club explores many themes: life after death; illusion versus reality; faith......
Food and Human Dignity: The View From Belfast
Matthew Allen | October 12, 2022
Some basic level of social welfare is what each of us owe to fellow citizens and......
Eulogy to My Queen
Matthew Allen | October 12, 2022
It’s well known that some events are so momentous that you never forget where you were......
Religious Confessions of British University Students
Matthew Allen | September 12, 2022
Whatever impressions a person forms as a younger adult are likely to remain over the......
"Event Horizon:" Conquering Hell
Matthew Allen | September 12, 2022
Paul Anderson’s "Event Horizon" is a hard movie to watch, but from a Christian......
In summary, "Stranger Things," behind all its nostalgic razzle-dazzle, makes a powerful......
We have a very clear view as to what is good for society, based upon the Scripture,......
Righteousness in "Les Mis"
Matthew Allen | July 14, 2022
‘Righteous,’ unavoidably, carries a lot of religious resonance. Merriam Webster defines......
Reflections on Giving Blood
Matthew Allen | July 13, 2022
Even if Our Lord’s blood is inimitable in its benefits for humankind, a simple donation......
Election Day For Matthias!
Matthew Allen | June 10, 2022
Acts 1:15-26 tell us about one of history’s most important recruitment exercises: the......
What is the Point of Hebrew Law?
Matthew Allen | May 07, 2022
We hear about it and Jesus challenged it, but why and what is it about. ...
In comparison to the other Gospel writers’ presentation of John, there is a real......
The Holy Spirit in Ezekiel 1: The Giver of Life
Matthew Allen | April 29, 2022
A great Christian writer takes the Catholic faith and reimagines it in ways that stir......
"All of Us Are Dead"… to Sin, Alive in Christ
Matthew Allen | March 11, 2022
After "Squid Game," released in September last year, Western eyes have been drawn with......
Finding Rest in the Dwelling Place of God
Matthew Allen | March 08, 2022
In Psalm 91, heroic images abound of the Holy One scattering every horror before him.......
Ramblings of a Sunday School Teacher
Matthew Allen | February 10, 2022
Sunday School session is a simple though compelling presentation of a Bible story that a......
Thinking About Thinking With Norman MacCaig
Matthew Allen | February 10, 2022
As Christians, we can do no better, in pursuits of the mind as in all things, than look......
Moses' Edge of Cultivation
Matthew Allen | January 13, 2022
Moses Edge of Cultivation - stay in comfort zone or leave and see miracles....
Why I Believe: Matthew Allen
Matthew Allen | January 13, 2022
This is the mystery of the Eucharist and this is why I believe. The Gospel brings good......
Tradition, Bishop Spong and Fallout 3
Matthew Allen | January 04, 2022
Tradition Bishop Spong and Fallout 3 - biblical interpretations through the changes of......
The Politics of the Altar Frontal
Matthew Allen | January 01, 2022
The Politics of the Altar Frontal...
Ascent of the Soul
Matthew Allen | January 01, 2022
Ascent of the Soul...
Midnight Mass: ‘The Abomination of Desolation’
Matthew Allen | December 21, 2021
Midnight Mass The Abomination of Desolation...
Purple Elephants of Doom
Matthew Allen | December 08, 2021
The story of Paul teaches God’s grace is given even to the chief sinner for the chief......
Squid Game and the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew Allen | November 24, 2021
Squid Game is a modern parable of Jesus’s forgiveness and how to treat others....
On Slaying Dragons: Revelation and Skyrim
Matthew Allen | November 11, 2021
For some reason, though, it always tends to be the least interpretable ideas in......