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Christopher West

@christophernwest.bsky.social

720 followers 1.2K following 1.8K posts

PhD candidate in Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen. Researching how the performance of symbolic actions in liturgy impacts the espoused theology of participants. Opinions are my own, except where they are not. He/him.

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Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 4h

You can read the full #callforpapers here:

Call for Papers (summary):
The Postgraduate Co-Conveners of the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics invite papers for the 2026 Postgraduate Conference on the theme: “Christ Beside Us, Christ Before Us: Pilgrimage, Neighbourliness, and Encounters in Christian Ethics.” We welcome submissions engaging with the theme, including (but not limited to):
Biblical and theological accounts of the pilgrim, neighbour, companion, or stranger;
Christological reflections on Christ as neighbour or fellow pilgrim and their ethical implications;
Ethical and practical-theological approaches to living as neighbours across difference;
Pilgrimage as metaphor or practice shaping moral imagination and ethical relations;
Case studies of neighbourliness (or its breakdown) in church, civic, public, or interfaith life;
Historical or contemporary Christian communities embodying or struggling with neighbourliness;
Neighbourliness in global, postcolonial, and migratory contexts;
Encounters with the stranger, hospitality, and vulnerability in Christian ethics;
Liturgical or practical expressions that depict, critique, or cultivate neighbourly ways of being.

Submission Formats
Please submit abstracts of up to 250 words by 6 February 2026 to pg-convener@ssce.org.uk. We welcome:
Papers: 20-minute presentations + 10-minute Q&A
Posters (work-in-progress): 5-minute presentation + 5-minute Q&A

We particularly encourage submissions from postgraduates and early-career researchers. If you are unsure how to structure an abstract, please contact us for support.

Contact
For submissions or enquiries: pg-convener@ssce.org.uk.
We look forward to your contributions!

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 4h

You can register for the conference at this link:

SSCE Postgraduate Conference 2026

Join us for our conference on the theme: “Christ Beside Us, Christ Before Us: Pilgrimage, Neighbourliness & Encounters in Christian Ethics.”

www.eventbrite.co.uk

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 4h

The SSCE Postgraduate Conference 2026 invites abstracts (up to 250 words by 6 Feb 2026) exploring pilgrimage, neighbourliness, and ethical encounters in Christian thought and practice. Email: [email protected]. Please share and register here. #callforpapers #cfp #theology #ethics

A poster for the SSCE PG Conference 2026. The theme is “Christ Beside Us, Christ Before Us: Pilgrimage, Neighbourliness, and Encounters in Christian Ethics.” The plenary speakers are Luke Bretherton and Joshua Hordern. The event is on 6 May 2026 at Christ Church Oxford.

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Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 1d

This is a beautifully written and very helpful reflection. Thank you!

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Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 1d

Reflecting now on those demanding further proof: isn’t this always the case? Isn’t this always what is demanded of victims? Perhaps here, too, there are grounds for incarnational solidarity that may be helpful for some: Jesus is no stranger to these demands. Would that churches take and read!

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 1d

This opens the door for pastoral conversations with Jesus. His work on this is available on his website as open access. ⚓️

David Tombs

www.david-tombs.com

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Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 1d

Content note: discussions of sexual abuse.

An excellent practical theology seminar at Aberdeen yesterday with David Tombs, where he helpfully summarised the signals hidden in plain sight - in text, subtext, and context - that identify Jesus as a victim of sexual abuse.

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Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 2d

Of all time, maybe: the Exorcist, the Shining, Scream, and Halloween.

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 2d

From this year, Sinners, Weapons, the Ugly Stepsister, and Bring Her Back would be up there with the best of them!

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 2d

I’ll limit myself to films released in the last quarter of a century:
The Ring
Hereditary
Nosferatu
Absentia

The Amish Anglo-Catholic @amishcatholic.bsky.social · 2d

Quote this with the first four Horror movies that come to your mind that are 10/10s for you.

-The Witch
-The Innocents
-Videodrome
-Mandy

Preorder Read This When Things Fall Apart @mskellymhayes.bsky.social · 2d

Quote this with the first four Horror movies that come to your mind that are 10/10s for you.

- You're Next
- A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
- Tigers Are Not Afraid
- La Llorona

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Reposted by Christopher West

The Whimsical Muse @whimsicalmuse.bsky.social · 3d

I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t include their pets when mentioning family members.

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Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 4d

Most YA horror is better than what finds itself on mainstream horror bookshelves. In fact, that's true of a lot of genres.

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 4d

That's a new one to me. I've only ever heard it being pronounced ˈsɪræk with a short 'i' as in 'sit'!

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 4d

This is definitely a major strand in his writing. His introduction to Jesus Christ for Today’s World (SCM Press, 1994) is particularly good on this and worth a look. In response to the question, ‘Who is Jesus?’, he writes that Jesus is ‘simply the kingdom of God in person’. I think about that often.

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 4d

Just now catching up on ordinations, and I can't believe I missed this post: many congratulations – the corner of the vineyard you're serving is surely blessed with an excellent priest in you. Axios! A Michaelmas ordination?

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 4d

Reviewer number two says:

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 8d

Genesis 15 (the covenant with Abram), especially with what happens in verses 10-12 and 17!

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Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 8d

Thank you! ❤️ Apologies for replying, but some of my narthex friends might find these helpful - tagging them here ⚓️

Reposted by Christopher West

Karen O’Donnell @karenod.bsky.social · 8d

It’s Baby Loss Awareness Week.

After losing multiple pregnancies in my 20s, I eventually wrote The Dark Womb about theology and pregnancy loss. Part of that was a selection of prayers & liturgies - available here
@scmpress.bsky.social #babyloss #babylossawarenessweek #theology #prayers

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Reposted by Christopher West

Rónán Hession @ronanhession.bsky.social · 10d

Am actually quite moved to read the thoughts of the actors and director about Leonard and Hungry Paul.

I honestly never expected any of this. I was just typing away for my own entertainment and a book popped out.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...

Leonard and Hungry Paul cast and Director on telling a story about kindness, friendship, and the quiet heroism of everyday life -

The feel-good series stars Alex Lawther, Laurie Kynaston and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, with Julia Roberts as narrator

www.bbc.co.uk

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Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 10d

My brother is currently working on an architectural project inspired by an installation by the French artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, and I must say, I’m absolutely obsessed.

L'installation de Céleste Boursier-Mougenot « clinamen » à la Bourse de Commerce

YouTube video by Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection

youtu.be

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 10d

You're far too kind! Thank you for your encouragement 😊

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 10d

Would that it were not for my ornithophobia!

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 10d

Our perhaps more reflective of the heartbeat of my reflection: “Gratitude is not a condition for God’s love – it is our right response to grace.” ⚓

Christopher West @christophernwest.bsky.social · 10d

Bonus points for anyone who can spot the typo! (Hint: check out my enthusiasm for the definite article!)