RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: another perspective
To get some perspective on our concerns about religious freedom here in Australia – here’s an insight into what Pakistani Christians face every day. LifeSiteNews.com
Engaging with Culture
“If morality is uniquely Christian, then “engaging the culture” is a fool’s errand. … But if right and wrong are intelligible concepts to the unbeliever—concepts the unbeliever is responsible for ignoring … then Christians have something to do with this world.” BreakPoint
Education and Work
What is the meaning & purpose of education and employment? Contemporary Western culture takes for granted that it is all about yourself – self-expression and self-fulfilment. In contrast, the Christian concept of “vocation” views work as self-donation. How can you invest in this world to make things better? Click here for JOSEPH...
POPULATION GROWTH: Good or bad?
This is an informative article from The Guardian. It uses population growth & decline as a way of analysing the effects of global wealth and development, particularly with ref urbanisation, independence, and individualism. “Population decline is [by itself neither] a good thing or a bad thing. But it is a big thing. It’s time to look it in...
Pagans vs Christians
This Public Discourse article https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2019/02/48418/?fbclid=IwAR0q9Ngc3GevFHNAFcUxRd6y1Eh6RzWCSjfCuBotoV2aLE1LTLnwxwXhT9I argues that contemporary social progressivism is actually a quasi-religion, returning to “ancient [pagan] sources of meaning, as part of an effort to re-sacralize the world.” This explains their...
Ignoring Religion: The consequences
From approximately the sexual revolution of the 1960s onwards, Western culture has assumed that we can achieve the ‘good’ life while ignoring not only religion, but increasingly character and virtue. David Brooks of the The New York Times shows us the consequences.
THE TRANSGENDER MOMENT
Resource Paper Churches have increased pastoral contact with transgender people and with their families. This development raises a host of questions for churches and Christians. This G,S&C resource paper addresses those important issues from a number of angles.
ABORTION
Resource Paper The NSW Legislative Council's passing of the Bill legalising abortion has reignited controversy throughout the State. The Gospel, Society and Culture committee has produced this paper to help you understand the issues. The paper covers the Biblical view and also the psychological effects and pastoral care for women considering an...
Short Takes
Our resource papers in brief We have produced a series of one-pagers to give readers a taste of the resources available from the GS&C committee. They are suitable for printing or emailing. Shorttake: living in a tech world Shorttake: beginning of life issues Shorttake: euthanasia Shorttake: sexualisation Shorttake: refugees
BLOG
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Ageing and Retirement
Resource Paper Making good choices for our retirement is a minefield of challenges. This G,S&C paper clears the decks and provides a wealth of resources for Christians.
SCIENCE AND CHRISTIANITY
Resource Paper What should a Christian attitude be toward science? This G,S&C paper looks at the nature of science and how our culture reached its current position.
SCIENCE AND CHRISTIANITY
Resource Paper What should a Christian attitude be toward science? This G,S&C paper looks at the nature of science and how our culture reached its current position
RECONCILIATION
Resource Paper Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians continues to be a complex and disputed issue. With calls for a 'treaty' growing louder, this G,S&C paper provides a timely resource for Christians. MORE RESOURCES Black Lives Matter: Australian Perspective The US turmoil following the death of George Floyd...
EDUCATION CHOICES
Resource Paper For this paper, G,S&C spoke to four families who made different education decisions. They tell tell their stories about how they made their choice. MORE RESOURCES http://gsandc.org.au/sre-book-banning/SRE SRE (Special Religious Education) is one of the great opportunities for Christian presence in the public square in NSW.
LIVING IN A MULTI-FAITH SOCIETY – Christ Among the gods
Photo by Fabien BurgueResource Papers The G,S&C has produced three papers to help Christians navigate a rapidly changing society. PAPER 1 PAPER 2 PAPER 3
MARRIAGE
Photo by Caio: PEXELSResource Paper Marriage in Australia has changed. This paper will help you to better understand why marriage matters to God. MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES Bible Study Help your church think about marriage by working through this study booklet Marriage God's Way. The Same-Sex Debate This paper, prepared at the height of the same-sex...
AUDIO
Audio: John McClean's series of 6 talks, aimed at high schoolers, looks at how God’s truth calls us to action (it is really an introduction to ‘theological ethics’ without using that phrase!). Atheism Sermon #1 Inconvenient God Atheism Sermon #1 Inconvenient God Duration: 42 mins 30 secs Text:notes [vertical_separator] Atheism Sermon #2 Doubt...
CREATION CARE
Photo by PixabayResource Paper Creation Care is a potentially divisive issue, one that is often approached in terms of partisan politics. This paper aims to generate a genuine and constructive moral discussion. MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES Summary of the science Climate science discussions tend to feel a bit chaotic. This paper - presented to the NSW...
SEXUALISATION AND PORNOGRAPHY
Resource paper We live in a highly sexualised society. Issues that emerge from this relatively new 'freedom' are addressed in this paper. OTHER RESOURCES Short-Take A summary of the resource paper. Papers, Videos and Articles The Australian Senate Inquiry: Online access to porn Porn Harms Kids Symposium UK Children’s Commissioner report: Porn...
NEWS and VIEWS
RUSH TO LEGALISE ABORTION IN NSWThe Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in NSW, Richard Keith, has issued this press release expressing concern about the proposed Abortion Bill http://gsandc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Media-release-19.07.30-Abortion-Bill-1.pdfACTION: What you can doThis week is a crucial one for protecting unborn...
Links to a range of resources on ethics, apologetics and public policy from around the web
Our fellow committees in other states: Gospel In Society Today (GIST) Committee in the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. The Church and Nation Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Australia is the committee which serves the whole national church and aims to help co-ordinate the work of the committees of the State churches. Bio Edge A weekly...
Fertility, infertility and surrogacy
Photo by Helena Lopes: PEXEL Resource Paper: Infertility Infertility is not an easy subject for most couples to talk about, especially within the church as it can be a taboo subject, or one that is surrounded by strongly held opinions. This paper tables the topic for discussion. MORE HELPFUL ADVICE Resource Paper: Surrogacy Where does...
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
The Ruddock Review of Freedom of Religion In December 2017, the Federal Government set up a panel to review Freedom of Religion in Australia. Here are the submissions made by the Presbyterian Church of Australia and by the GS&C Committee on behalf of the Church in NSW: PCA Religious Freedom Review submission Freedom of Religion Expert Panel...
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Navigating the tech world Technology is ubiquitous and is having a major impact on the world we live. If, as Christians, we are to influence society and culture for the gospel we must understand and use the technology and tools of the times effectively. These two G,S&C resource papers help that goal: Information and Communication Technology...