Diarmaid MacCulloch is the latest victim of the Church's toxic tribalism over sexuality

The eminent church historian seems unable or unwilling to properly engage with Christians who think differently to him, observes Tim Wyatt

Diarmaid MacCulloch is perhaps the leading church historian of his generation. A few years ago he retired from teaching at the University of Oxford, and so set to a breezy and light retirement project - a 700-page book about the history of Christianity and sex. Lower Than The Angels is now out and MacCulloch has been busily doing interviews to promote it.

As well as being a highly regarded academic, MacCulloch has a fascinating personal story with the church. The son of a vicar, he himself felt called to the priesthood in his 20s, dutifully trained and was ordained deacon (the first step on the clerical ladder). But when it came time to upgrade him to priest a year later (something which is normally an automatic tick box exercise), there was a ruckus because he made no secret of the fact he was gay and in a relationship with a man.

Of course, there have been gay (sometimes single, sometimes partnered) clergy for probably as long as there has been a church, but MacCulloch was unusual at the time for being entirely up front about this, both in the media and to the church authorities. Unwilling to commit to a life of celibacy or secrecy, he abandoned his clerical career and devoted himself to history instead. He has since described himself as a “candid friend” of the church, no longer able to sign up to doctrinal statements of belief but fond of its culture.