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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Something Understood

Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

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Something Understood: New Reformation

Embracing the Classical

16/07/2017

New Reformation

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, New Reformation

500 years after Luther's Reformation, Mark Tully examines calls to reform today's church.

Five hundred years after Luther's Reformation, Mark Tully examines calls for reforming today's church to tackle issues like declining congregations, feminism and homosexuality.

500 years after Luther's Reformation, Mark Tully examines calls for reforming today's church to address issues like declining congregations and influence, feminism and homosexuality. 

Beginning with St Francis of Assisi who believed he had heard Jesus saying to him, "rebuild my church," Mark explores the growing impetus for reformation in today's Christian Church and particularly the calls for a return to spiritual traditions that have atrophied in mainstream churches.

He also looks at other faith traditions, finding practitioners - both contemporary and ancient - who have embraced more mystic expressions of faith.

However, he warns about exaggerating the need for reform, arguing that perhaps what any expression of faith needs most of all is to demonstrate that they have spiritual life and celebrate the grandeur of God.

Producer: Adam Fowler
A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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