Tony Wilson
Tony Wilson is a freelance writer and broadcaster with interests in physics, theology, politics and society.
OpinionIf a concert in St Paul’s doesn’t point to Christ, it shouldn’t happen
News that St Paul’s Cathedral has partnered with London nightclub Fabric to host a series of concerts has provoked mixed response from Christians. Tony Wilson wrestles with the ideas of sacred and secular and says whatever happens in a church should glorify God alone
OpinionThe Eclipse: What 3% of sunlight taught me about God
Watching a near-total eclipse revealed the extraordinary power of even a sliver of sunlight — and brought new meaning to the biblical promise that the darkness cannot overcome the light, says Tony Wilson
ReviewsThe Rapture’s cultish community is a reminder that the world needs full-fat faith
The BBC drama is arguably misnamed, says Tony Wilson. It’s not really about end times, even if it does feel slightly apocalyptic. But it does hold important lessons for Christians who might be tempted to forgo Christian discipleship to make it more palatble
News AnalysisWhat is the Society of Saint Pius X and why has it split from the Catholic Church?
A delicate diplomacy has been maintained between the Vatican and the traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) for 50 years. But now Pope Leo has expelled them from the Church. Tony Wilson explains what happened and how it might be resolved
OpinionMarx claimed religion is the opium of the people. Science suggests he was right (sort of)
A new study has shown that collective worship releases naturally-occurring opioids in the brain, strengthening our sense of belonging and increasing our ability to endure pain. Tony Wilson explains more
OpinionDoes it matter if Christians are cremated or buried?
The courts have recently intervened in two high-profile cases involving family disputes over whether loved ones should be cremated or buried, with some citing Christian beliefs as the reason for preferring burial. Tony Wilson explains why some Christians hold to this belief
OpinionPope Leo has issued a stark warning on AI. Here’s what you need to know
The Pope’s letter Magnifica Humanitas raises vital questions about what it means to be human in an age of AI. Warning against the abuse of power, the encyclical asks: Is the advancement of artificial intelligence taking place at the cost of human dignity? Tony Wilson takes a closer look at the document
OpinionThe Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury were right to call for peace. It’s their job
When Sarah Mullally reinforced the Pope’s message of peace, she risked the ire of Trump. But both leaders were right to call for an end to conflict, says Tony Wilson. It’s their job to speak as Jesus taught, even when it seems counter-cultural to our political leaders
OpinionBaptisms in France are set to break records again this Easter - here’s why
Last year, a record 17,000 adults were received into the French Catholic Church on Holy Saturday. This record is set to be broken again in 2026, with 21,386 set to be baptised. Tony Wilson takes a look at the reasons behind the highest number seen in decades - and what the Church needs to do next
OpinionDecline or revival: What’s really happening to UK Christianity?
Bible Society’s Quiet Revival survey sparked hope, but its findings clash with the new British Social Attitudes survey. Can these seemingly contradictory findings all be true? Understanding the answer may reveal which churches are likely to thrive and which will close, says Tony Wilson
OpinionWhy Jesus offers you more than immortality
The super-rich’s obsession with extending their earthly lives, known as Longevity Fixation Syndrome, promises only more years. The gospel, however, offers something far greater than mere longevity, writes Tony Wilson
OpinionThe new Archbishop of Westminster has been announced. What can Catholics expect from Richard Moth?
Pope Leo has appointed Rt Rev Richard Moth to succeed Cardinal Vincent Nichols as Archbishop of Westminster. He’s known for careful governance, social justice advocacy, and deep Benedictine spirituality, says Tony Wilson. But will his management skills and contemplative prayer life contribute to a spiritual awakening in modern Britain?
Magazine FeaturesThe strangest miracle you’ve (probably) never heard of
Can an ordinary communion wafer miraculously transform into tissue from the heart of Jesus? As the world’s first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, is canonised, Tony Wilson investigates one of the Eucharistic miracles that he so carefully catalogued before he died
InterviewsDr Gwen Adshead: ‘Revenge is not an emotion we can afford’
Dr Gwen Adshead has spent more than three decades going into prisons and secure settings, including the infamous Broadmoor Hospital, working with people who have committed violent criminal offences. She talks to Tony Wilson about evil, justice and rehabilitation – and why revenge is not an emotion that humans can afford to indulge
Opinion17,000 people were just baptised in France. God is on the move
s the French Catholic Church reports record numbers of baptisms over the Easter weekend, Tony Wilson wonders whether the ‘quiet revival’* is also happening outside of the UK
Magazine Features‘We can’t keep up with the number of students requesting baptism’
Reports of God at work among Gen Z are flooding in from around the globe. Tony Wilson heads to Toulouse, to investigate a remarkable renewal among the town’s student population
OpinionJD Vance’s speech will leave Christians in a state of confused anxiety
US Vice President JD Vance may have been right to warn Europe against retreating from Christian values during his speech at the Munich Security Conference. But parts of his message should also concern us, says Tony Wilson
OpinionWhat Wolf Hall teaches us about the Reformation
Whether historically accurate or not, the BBC’s Wolf Hall gives us an insight into the events that surrounded the greatest schism in Church history. It is a timely reminder of the importance of Christian unity, says Tony Wilson
OpinionWhy ancient liturgy beats spontaneous prayer
Should our prayers be set, or spontaneous? Tony Wilson suggests that liturgy should be used as a springboard for our own personal prayers. He explains why
OpinionLiam Payne died searching for recognition. It can only come from God
The tragic death of One Direction’s teen pop sensation reminds us that fame and fortune cannot meet our deepest human needs, says Tony Wilson. That can only come from being fully known by Jesus
