• About
  • Programmes
  • All Courses
  • Forum
  • Resources
  • Connect
Crosslands
  • About
  • Programmes
  • All Courses
  • Forum
  • Resources
  • Connect
About
  • About Crosslands
  • People
  • Statement of Faith
  • Partners
Programmes
  • Programmes
  • Foundation

    • Introduction
    • Foundation Courses
    • Resources for group leaders
    • Set up my group
    • Regional study groups
    • Recommended Routes
  • Basecamp

    • Introduction
    • Basecamp FAQs
    • Contact and Apply
  • Seminary

    • Introduction
    • FAQs
    • Why Learn with Crosslands
    • Contact and Apply
  • Lifelong

    • Introduction
    • Courses
    • How do they do that?
    • Contact and Apply
  • Cultural Engagement courses
    • Sign up form
  • Cultivate

    • Introduction
Forum
  • Crosslands Forum

    • About Forum
    • Get Involved
  • Research

    • Introduction
    • PhD Study through Crosslands
    • Research Fellowships with Crosslands
  • Resource

    • Introduction
    • Articles
    • Talks and Videos
  • Relate

    • Introduction
    • Cultivate
    • Cultural Engagement Courses
Resources
  • Blog
  • Course catalogue
  • Books
Connect
  • Becoming a Partner
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Jobs
  • Winter conference 2026
  • Training Co-ordinators Network

Foundation

Flexible short courses equipping disciples for everyday mission and ministry. Learn alone or with a group, at a time and pace of your choice.

Basecamp

Crosslands Basecamp is a flexible and accessible foundation programme of theological study.

Seminary

A three or four year part time programme (with MA option). Equipping men and women to serve and lead others in the Christian life.

Lifelong

Extension programmes for leaders in gospel ministry or other roles. Digging deeper into Scripture, doctrine or aspects of leadership.

Cultural Engagement courses

Courses to help you understand how the Bible's story makes sense of modern life and culture

Cultivate

Nurturing fresh new voices – marked by biblical clarity, excellent insight, and personal humility – to speak into our culture.

Cultural Engagement Courses

All Cultural Engagement Courses

Biblical Critical Theory Guided Reading Group

Online Guided
Sold out

“A book that I have been eagerly anticipating for years. …”

– Tim Keller

For Christians interested in biblically faithful cultural critique and construction, Chris Watkin’s Biblical Critical Theory (BCT) has been garnering no end of praise, and generating a great deal of giddiness. Rightly so. This is one occasion when you can believe the hype.  The book is big, it’s bold, it’s beautifully written and it’s arrived not a moment too soon as we try and make sense of our bewildering late modern world, and offer a big, bold and beautiful alternative. Chris takes away our blunt machetes and gives us a scalpel, indeed he’s offered us a whole set of diagnostic and surgical tools. Biblical Critical Theory will become a seminal text for us: part manifesto, part Bible overview (the most maximal one imaginable), part blueprint for civilization. It’s a revelation about the implications and applications of God’s revelation and how Jesus Christ is the subversive fulfilment of all and every culture(s). As Chris says in the introduction;

My aim in these pages is to paint a picture of humanity and of our world through the lens of the Bible and to compare aspects of this image to alternative visions. It is a book about how the whole Bible sheds light on the whole of life, how we can read and understand our society, our culture, and ourselves through the lens of the Bible’s storyline. It does not try to explain and defend the Bible to the culture; it seeks to analyze and critique the culture through the Bible. (xxvi)

In terms of Christian doctrine, Chris admits that he is saying nothing new, but the arrangement of the material is menthol fresh, his conversation partners are the heavyweights, and his writing is a model of elegance, engagement and empathy. From first steps in Christian discipleship, to catechesis, seminary, and through to the highest level of academic research, Chris’s work in Biblical Critical Theory will be a foundation and frame for years to come. Moreover, one will finish Biblical Critical Theory in a doxological mood, lost in wonder, love and praise in our wonderful Creator and Redeemer.

A title like this, indeed the actual title (!) might appear somewhat intimidating, and at nearly 700 pages, the book certainly may look indigestible (even though Chris calls it a ‘tasting menu’!).

So why don’t we read it together?

Dan Strange is chairing on-line reading groups to scale the heights of Biblical Critical Theory in six one-and-a-half hour sessions over a period of six months. Reading the book together will give some discipline and incentive to get through the book, and will also help us start to think through the applications of Biblical Critical Theory in our own lives, contexts and vocations.

So why don’t you join us?

You could also consider our “DIY” version of this course, where you can sign up with a group of friends to read through the book and discuss in your own time: Biblical Critical Theory: self-guided online course.

2025 Course Dates and Times

  • Monday 20th January
  • Thursday 20th February
  • Monday 17th March
  • Monday 28th April
  • Monday 12th May
  • Monday 9th June

There are two time options (UK time) available for the discussion group:

  • 10am – 11.30am
  • 7.30pm – 9pm

Cost

£60 for the six discussion sessions

Discounts are available for Partner Churches. If you are Partner Church, please get in touch to receive a discount coupon.
Should the course fee prevent you from attending please contact forum@crosslands.training to discuss a discount.

Reading Group Chair: Dan Strange (Director, Crosslands Forum)
Book: Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture
Author: Chris Watkin

 

Sign up to receive our latest articles and news

Sign Up

  • Contact
  • Course catalogue
  • Statement of Faith
Crosslands
https://www.facebook.com/crosslands.training/?fref=tshttps://twitter.com/crosslandshttp://instagram.com/crosslands.traininghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hNqJVCpTMvZYmcQ7JVE3A
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Safeguarding Adults Policy

© Crosslands 2025 All rights reserved. Registered Charity No. 1167211 1A Boyd Street, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AP Design by Tiger Finch