The common good: How should we then live?
Our world is working out how to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. As we restrict our contact with one another, in order to stop the spread of the virus, what does it mean for Christians to seek the “common good” in our world? Our Committee Convener, John McClean, reflects on this, and offers some thoughts that we trust will encourage and challenge...
Wanted: Christian tree changers. Apply now
For some, there has been no impetus quite like a pandemic and sky-rocketing urban housing prices, to consider a tree change. In this blog AMY BUTLER* praises the merits, and ministry opportunities, of rural living. This Covid pandemic has made people consider a tree-change. Now might be an opportune time to make the shift from expensive, busy...
Imagine that!
PETER CHRISTOPHER and KAMAL WEERAKOON* call out the irony of the kind of humanistic religion on display at the Olympic opening ceremony, where, in the name of peace, harmony, and diversity, we seek to exclude the source of peace, harmony, and diversity - Jesus Christ. In a previous post, we noted how the Olympic opening ceremonies ooze...
Surrogacy – new resource paper
Photo by Dominika Roseclay The G,S&C has added a resource paper on surrogacy to its coverage of fertility (click here). For a couple desiring a child but facing infertility, there is much sadness. In the face of this grief, surrogacy, at first glance, may seem a realistically feasible and loving solution. One of the greatest challenges facing...
Olympic Idol
The Olympic Games, a wonderful example of athletic endeavour, also reveal our inescapable religious tendencies to worship something. PETER CHRISTOPHER* reflects on opening ceremonies and idols. The Olympic Games have been important to me for two reasons. First, I’m of Greek background – my name isn’t actually Christopher – it’s Christoforatos....
If it’s not Cultural Marxism, what is it?
JOHN McCLEAN* reviews the 'stimulating and vigorous debate' of issues engaging today's church. Our Church Assembly debated the report from our committee this month about Cultural Marxism (you can see the report here). We argued that Cultural Marxism (CM) is not a helpful way to analyse what is going on in our culture. What critics often call...
Hello out there, is anybody listening? The worldview challenge
What’s the best way to be ignored and marginalised in public today? Start by saying “God tells us in the Bible that…” I’m a retired journalist. Back in my day, news was still printed on newspapers - real, paper newsprint. I know, crazy, huh? They were really good for cleaning glass surfaces. Australian newspapers received thousands of letters...
The image of God and caring for others
In part 2 of this new series on Covid-19, NALINI PATHER gives insights into how in light of the pandemic Christians can demonstrate God's love.In the previous post, we discussed how recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and all its variants is going to take a long time; and highlighted some impacts of the pandemic to be aware of. As the last...
God frames our response to the pandemic
In part three of the new series, NALINI PATHER shows us how Jesus frames a response to the Covid-19 pandemic This COVID-19 pandemic has shattered the illusion that humans are in control of the universe. In our secular society, we are accustomed to look to science and technology to provide answers and solutions, and to consider ‘faith’ in God as...
The gospel of the risen Christ is our hope – pandemic or not
In the 4th of a series on Covid-19, NALINI PATHER focuses on Jesus, who gives us comfort and courage In our previous blog we highlighted that God is sovereign in all, and over all. The Gospel literally means ‘good news’ from the sovereign God. This good news is about Jesus – he is the Son of God, he died and was resurrected. Notice then, the...
Cultural Marxism-Black Lives Matter – G,S&C report to 2021 Assembly
The GA NSW meeting in July 2020 requested the Gospel, Society & Culture Committee “to investigate the rise of Cultural Marxism in Australian society, with particular reference to the Black Lives Matter movement”. The final report to the 2021 Assembly is published here.
Gospel hope in an uncertain world – 4 videos
Videos from the Gospel Hope in an Uncertain World seminars cover youth mental health, modern slavery and more. Keynote talk: John McClean - Click here Youth Mental Health interview - Click here Hope for The Captive - Modern Slavery: Karine Woldhuis - Click here Love Your Neighbour, PNG Today - Keith Campbell - Click Here
Coping with anxiety and fear
Anxiety and fear will be common reactions as cases of Covid-19 increase in coming days and weeks. This Gospel, Society and Culture article (click here) describes how our brains respond to crises and strategies to care for ourselves and others. PHOTO: Dion Christophoratos
Left, Right, Left, Right … marching to the wrong beat. There’s another way
JOHN McCLEAN* reflects on the polarisation of our world and why Christians must seek a different way I remember when it felt that the major political parties in Australia were much the same. Both sides seemed to converge on the same policy platforms and operate with a similar style. Things have changed. The difference between the political...
Soul vaccination: We all need a different type of ‘jab’
AMY BUTLER* recalls a 1970's song with a message for today. In the 1970s a funk fusion band called the Tower of Power released a song called Soul Vaccination. It’s a much ado about nothing song. Its purpose is not in lyrical profundity, rather it executes the funky-soul sound which characterised the band. This may seem like an obscure entry into...
COVID-19: The big questions answered
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength ... Love your neighbor as yourself. As the world reeled from the impact of COVID-19, scientists around the world began searching for a vaccine. The pressure is intense. So much hangs on finding a vaccine; politicians and public...
COVID-19: HELP IS AT HAND
8 CHALLENGES - 8 RESOURCES COVID-19 has triggered a series of challenges for all of us. Biblical counsellor JEREMY WARD has produced a series of resources aimed at helping Christians navigate these extraordinary times. Each resource includes a short video and two-page document to help you. HELP! I'M AIMLESS https://youtu.be/zEQeX2L2Jbo CLICK...
SHOULD WE OBJECT TO AND BOYCOTT VACCINES CREATED USING TISSUE FROM ABORTED FETUSES?
PART 4 in a series of blogs navigating the issues around vaccinations. In late August this year, the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, and Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia raised ethical concerns about the origin of a potential vaccine against Covid-19 under development. This is a serious moral objection to some...
VACCINES: INFORMED CONSENT, MANDATES AND EXPLOITATION
Blog 6 in a series of blogs navigating the issues around vaccinationsSignificant good has come from vaccine development, as we've seen in previous posts in this series. Christians should be advocates for development that is ethical and without moral compromise. Most of all, we need to be assured that our promotion and use of vaccines is...
VACCINATIONS: HEALTH DISPARITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
PART 5 in a series of blogs navigating the issues around vaccinations.All around the world - in countries with both high and low incomes - we’ve seen significant progress in health care, quality of life and life expectancy. Vaccines have played a substantial part in this. Yet despite these successes, approximately 6.6 million children still die...
VACCINES: IS THERE A PROBLEM?
PART 3 in a series of blogs navigating the issues around vaccinations.Over the last few decades, more and more people around the world have become nervous about vaccinations. In her recent book Stuck: How Vaccine Rumors Start—and Why They Don’t Go Away (Oxford University Press, 2020), Heidi Larson writes that “Today we are in the paradoxical...
INNATE MECHANISM OF IMMUNITY, HISTORY OF VACCINES AND COMMON GRACE
Part 2 in a series of 6 blogs navigating the issues around vaccinationsHuman bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made, the truly awesome handiwork of our sovereign creator God. They are beautiful in their complexity and design. Of all the ‘systems’ in the human body, the immune system is arguably one of the most diverse and intriguing. It uses...
HERD IMMUNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD
Part 1 in a series of 6 blogs navigating the issues around vaccinationsChristians are committed to health! Of course, we live with the reality of sickness and death, but healing was central to Christ’s ministry. His healings showed that the kingdom which he was bringing would mean restoration and the end of death and pain and suffering. Jesus’...
Health Disparity and Social Justice
Part 4 in the series navigating the issues around vaccinationsAll around the world - in countries with both high and low incomes - we’ve seen significant progress in health care, quality of life and life expectancy. Vaccines have played a substantial part in this. Yet despite these successes, approximately 6.6 million children still die each...
CHRISTIANITY EVERYDAY SEMINARS – VIDEOS, PRESENTATIONS FROM THE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Here is a selection of resources from three Christianity Everyday Online seminars held in June and July JUNE 10 COVID-19 VIDEO EXPLAINER GS&C Christianity Everyday presenter PROFESSOR NALINI PATHER has produced this video to help us understand more about Covid-19. Click here.JUNE 24 THE PROBLEM WITH EVILWhy do bad things...