DAVE TOMLINSON IN CONVERSATION - How to be a Bad Christian and a Better Human Being

Event information

Kettering Arts Centre & Radio Days Events Presents...

Rev Dave Tomlinson, familiar to millions from his Pause for Thought broadcasts on the Radio 2 breakfast show, shares stories and insights from his 19 years as a parish priest and his lifelong spiritual journey, in conversation with journalist Duncan Steer.

Dave's podcast, The Holy Shed, and books - including ‘The Post-Evangelical’ and ‘How to be a Bad Christian and a Better Human Being’ - have been as inspirational and thought-provoking to his listeners and readers as they have been provocative to the Church of England hierarchy.

We are delighted that Dave is coming to Kettering Arts Centre at St Andrew’s Church to discuss his remarkable life and career as part of our new True Stories season, with regular host Duncan Steer.

Dave has considered spirituality and what it means to live well in the 21st Century from all sides. A parish priest in the Church of England from 2000-2019, he started his career in the Evangelical house church movement of the 1970s before going on to start Holy Joe’s —a pub church for people disillusioned with mainstream religion. His taking the funeral of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs put him on the front pages and led The Guardian to nickname him ‘The Villains’ Vicar’.

But Dave has long been looking to reframe how Christianity is viewed by the wider population - and, in turn, how the Church views those who currently feel excluded.

"It puzzles me that people sometimes try to judge whether I am a proper Christian by asking if I believe in things like the virgin birth or the authority of the Bible," he says. "Why don't they ask me how I treat my wife? Or what I spend my money on, or what I'm doing about injustice in the world?"

There will be a chance to ask your own questions.

The first 50 tickets are £10. Full-price tickets are £14, with concessions £10.

https://radiodaysevents.com

Estimated running time: 120 minutes
Licensed bar // Unreserved seating // Disability access