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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

For a Minimalist Definition of the Christian Faith

Matthew Allen | October 09, 2026

For a Minimalist Definition of the Christian Faith...

Journeying into Autumn with the Liturgy

Matthew Allen | September 03, 2026

Journeying into Autumn with the Liturgy...

Writing Prayers and Intercessions (Without AI!)

Matthew Allen | August 07, 2026

Writing Prayers and Intercessions Without AI...

An Irish Anglican Finds Home on Vancouver Island

Matthew Allen | July 06, 2026

An Irish Anglican Finds Home on Vancouver Island...

The Hidden Storytelling of the Lectionary

Matthew Allen | June 11, 2026

Discover how lectionary readings foreshadow major Christian feasts, creating thematic......

What Better Call Saul Taught Me About Holy Communion

Matthew Allen | May 12, 2026

A wine bar scene with Gus Fring sparked an unlikely meditation on the Eucharist —......

From Doubt to Mission: How Thomas Brought Christianity to...

Matthew Allen | April 07, 2026

The West remembers Thomas for his doubt. India honors him as the saint who brought......

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: Living Water in Lent

Matthew Allen | March 06, 2026

A Lenten reflection on John 4: Jacob’s Well, living water, and a Samaritan woman whose......

How Many Pints In A Whole Jesus?

Matthew Allen | February 10, 2026

Is Jesus an O- universal donor or an exclusive AB+? Explore the math of the Eucharist......

Creation in the Bible and Quran: Shared Foundations,...

Matthew Allen | January 07, 2026

Discover how the Bible and Qur’an both affirm God as sole Creator of heavens and earth,......

Matthew 3: Divine Pantomime?

Matthew Allen | January 07, 2026

Christ’s baptism in Matthew 3 reveals a turning point where John’s ritual becomes a......

Religious Education: The Dawn of a New Approach?

Matthew Allen | December 05, 2025

The UK Supreme Court requires Northern Ireland schools to teach religion objectively,......

Trouble in the Anglican Communion

Matthew Allen | November 10, 2025

GAFCON’s plan for a new Anglican Communion challenges Canterbury’s role and raises......

Compline: Some Reflections for Spooky Season

Matthew Allen | October 06, 2025

Compline, the Anglican night prayer, speaks to the fears and phantoms of the dark—making......

The Fruit of the Spirit in The Book of Common Prayer

Matthew Allen | September 08, 2025

The Church of Ireland’s liturgy reflects love, joy, peace, and more—revealing a......

Doing God's Laundry

Matthew Allen | September 08, 2025

In Anglican worship, love is expressed through sacred routines—ironing linens, replacing......

An Anglican in Inverness

Matthew Allen | August 12, 2025

Three churches, one city, and a cathedral full of mice—Anglican Inverness is anything......

St Philip And The Eunuch: Lessons For The Modern Church

Matthew Allen | August 12, 2025

St Philip the Deacon Lessons for the Modern Church...

Why Global Christianity Depends on Listening, Not Leading

Matthew Allen | July 14, 2025

Global Christian partnerships are shifting from top-down mission models to mutual......

Assisted Suicide Is Becoming Law—Are Church Leaders Ready?

Matthew Allen | July 14, 2025

As assisted suicide nears legalization in England and Wales, clergy must prepare for......

Christian Worship in Schools: A UK Debate

Matthew Allen | June 04, 2025

Should state schools mandate Christian worship? As the UK revisits this long-standing......

Chewbacca Theology

Matthew Allen | May 13, 2025

Chewbacca the sock puppet has much to teach us about the mysteries of human solidarity....

How Does The Life of Christ Save Us?

Matthew Allen | April 05, 2025

Together, the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Second......

The Years That Dementia Has Eaten

Matthew Allen | March 08, 2025

Christians don’t just hope that "all shall be well"; we believe it with our whole......

Reflections of a Chalice-Bearer

Matthew Allen | February 07, 2025

When you serve Holy Communion – and you see face after different face, all bowed low......

St John’s Revelation: His ‘Alt’ Account?

Matthew Allen | January 07, 2025

Did St John post cringe on main when he wrote the book of Revelation? We’re used to ‘the......

Is Music A Form Of Prayer?

Matthew Allen | December 05, 2024

If our definition of prayer is too narrow – twenty minutes of alone-time a day with God,......

Why Should I Go to Church?

Matthew Allen | November 11, 2024

Our best laid plans don’t always come to fruition – like when we Christians aim to go to......

Irish Church Urges Compassion in Immigration Debate

Matthew Allen | October 07, 2024

Christians have specific obligations to society in general,’ say the Bishops, ‘and also......

Environmental Destruction… for Jesus!

Matthew Allen | September 17, 2024

In the Book of Exodus, the Mother of Moses floated her child on the Nile to save him......

How Studying Theology Transforms Faith and Friendships

Matthew Allen | September 17, 2024

Studying theology challenges beliefs, sparks deep friendships, and reshapes perspectives......

United We Stand: Rediscovering Unity Amidst Division

Matthew Allen | July 12, 2024

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,......

Is Religion a Factor in Ireland's Political Drama?

Matthew Allen | April 10, 2024

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......

How Relevant, in 2024, Is Religion to the Politics of...

Matthew Allen | March 15, 2024

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......

What Does Your Faith Say About Violence in Video Games?

Matthew Allen | January 15, 2024

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......

Please Presbyterian, Don't Revisit Female Ordination

Matthew Allen | July 13, 2023

It’s time for PCI to swallow this dose of reality. Focus on the things, like outreach......

No, Your Grace, Gay People Shouldn't Be Thrown in Jail

Matthew Allen | July 13, 2023

We should strengthen our efforts to help LGBT refugees, not only those from Uganda but......

British Belonging, the Bloom Review and the Coronation

Matthew Allen | June 16, 2023

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......

Bernie Sanders on Capitalism: Religious Language in...

Matthew Allen | April 12, 2023

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...

Anglican Reflections on Benedict: Ratzinger’s Eschatology

Matthew Allen | February 04, 2023

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......

Satanic Panic, "Stranger Things 4" and the Dangers of...

Matthew Allen | August 10, 2022

In summary, "Stranger Things," behind all its nostalgic razzle-dazzle, makes a powerful......

Get Involved: An Interview with First Minister Givan

Matthew Allen | August 10, 2022

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. ...

John the Baptist: A Model Minister (Matthew 3:1-12)

Matthew Allen | April 29, 2022

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......

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