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BBC Radio 4 LW

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

BBC Radio 4 FM

Something Understood: Saintliness

Embracing the Classical

08/10/2017

Saintliness

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Saintliness

Mark Tully examines the role of saints and asks if anyone should aspire to sainthood.

Mark Tully considers the history of saints in the western church and other faiths and talks to Professor Diarmaid Macculloch about the impact of saintliness, positive or otherwise.

Mark Tully explores what we mean by saintliness, asking where the idea of the saint comes from and whether saintliness is a state to which anyone should aspire. 

In conversation with Diarmaid Macculloch, Professor of Church History at the University of Oxford, he debates the diverse reputations of saints down the ages and questions their role in secular and religious societies.

There are readings from tthe works of the poet Deborah Paredez and the 20th century Trappist monk, Thomas Merton - and music from Wojciech Kilar, Pierre Eliane and Youssou N'Dour.

The readers are Adjoa Andoh, Francis Cadder and David Holt.

Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling

A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4.

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