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Promises, promises
Caroline Eade, December 2007 No comments
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We all make promises, whether informally, to our friends and family, or formally, in contracts, deeds and vows. Promises are made by companies, governments and international leaders. It seems obvious that a promise carries moral weight. Nevertheless, all of us make rash agreements, or over-commit ourselves, or entirely forget what we have said, and therefore fail to carry out our promises. At the corporate level, it is sometimes easy for a promise to be overridden by financial or political concerns. This paper explores promise-making from a biblical perspective, and suggests some pointers for how we might promise well.
Keywords: Lifestyle Issues
The window is closed: engaging with early to mid-twentieth-century painting
Margaret Wilson, September 2007 No comments
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This paper takes up the story of Western art from the end of the nineteenth century. It explores the move from realism and representation towards abstraction, the cultural influences on this move, and the purposes which this new art may pursue. It traces the development of painting in the first half of the twentieth century through ten representative works of art. By learning how to read these images, Christians may be personally enriched and challenged, gain a deeper insight into fundamental cultural influences on contemporary society and also be better placed to communicate with those who do not share their faith. (Please note: this website version contains live links to online versions of 9 of the 10 paintings discussed. Hard copies of the paintings discussed in this paper are available by request from the Jubilee Centre.)
Keywords: Worldviews & Culture
Christian responses to Islam, Islamism and 'Islamic terrorism'
Colin Chapman, July 2007 3 comments
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Why is it that some Muslims become Islamists and some Islamists turn to violence? A summary of some basic convictions held in varying degrees by all Muslims is followed by an explanation of how Islamists have developed these ideas in response to various challenges (especially political) of the modern world. This analysis brings us face to face with what has been called the struggle for the soul of Islam. It is only against this background that we are in a position to suggest how Christians can respond at many different levels to Muslims in general and to Islamists in particular.
Keywords: Christianity & Religion
How to create a relational society: foundations for a new social order
Michael Schluter, March 2007 1 comment
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In an earlier Cambridge Paper (September 2006), a biblical Charter for Humanity was proposed within a relational framework. This second paper seeks to answer the question, How do we move towards relational well-being? The place where the Bible sets out the foundations required to create a society of right relationships in terms of structures, resources and processes is primarily in the law which God gives to Israel when it is first established as a nation. The paper explores how these institutional norms, as deepened and extended by the rest of biblical teaching, provide the basis for social transformation today.
Keywords: Lifestyle Issues
A burning issue: Christian care for the environment
Robert White, December 2006 1 comment
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God created a world which he pronounced was very good and delegated to humankind the responsibility for its care. But human sinfulness has marred God's creation and our profligate abuse of the environment is causing global climate change. If left unchecked global warming will cause global economic loss, widespread suffering and death, particularly among the poor and marginalised who are least able to cope with rapid change. Our response is a test both of our obedience to our creator and of our commitment to care for our neighbour.
Keywords: The Environment
What charter for humanity? Defining the destination of development
Michael Schluter, September 2006 No comments
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The word development describes a journey of economic and social change, but is often implicitly taken to define the destination as well. Economic growth is generally regarded as the purpose as well as the means of this social change. However, the biblical emphasis is on the quality of social, political, and economic relationships, which may be summarised as relational well-being (RWB). National aspirations should not focus primarily on levels or distribution of income, nor on individual freedom and choice. Rather, Christians should re-examine policy and project goals in both high-income and low-income societies from a relational perspective, so as to tackle relational deprivation as well as material poverty.
Keywords: Finance & the Economy, Lifestyle Issues
The abolition of the slave trade: Christian conscience and political action
John Coffey, June 2006 1 comment
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The year 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade by the British Parliament. The campaign for abolition was spearheaded by devout Christians, and it stands to this day as perhaps the finest political achievement of what would now be called faith-based activism. But who were the abolitionists, and how did their Christianity motivate them to campaign against the slave trade? This paper examines the Christian mind of the abolitionists, and ponders the lessons for today.
Keywords: Christianity & Religion, Crime & Justice
Victim chic? The rhetoric of victimhood
Michael Ovey, March 2006 3 comments
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The rhetoric of victimhood allows us to cast ourselves without qualification as victims, or as saviours of victims, while dramatising our chosen opponents as demonic without qualification. This paper outlines how we sometimes use the role of victim. It analyses the spiritual dangers of manufacturing such blanket identities in relation to usurping God as creator-judge and subverting basic principles of justice, and contrasts victimhood rhetoric with the example of Christ. Instead of victimhood rhetoric, we should prefer roles following the example of Jesus, who sees humans in relation to the perfect justice and mercy of God.
Keywords: Worldviews & Culture
'Two guys go into the temple. One says to God...' Humour, Scripture and Christian discourse
James and Kate Williams, December 2005 2 comments
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Godliness and humour have tussled in Christian history. There is more humour in the Bible than flat readings in contemporary churches might suggest. It has didactic and social functions within the larger comic framework of salvation history. We visit the shape of creation-fall-redemption to see the perversions of humour and its redeemed uses in social critique, effective communication and in strengthening community within the family of God.
Keywords: Christianity & Religion
Co-belligerence and common grace: can the enemy of my enemy be my friend?
Daniel Strange, September 2005 6 comments
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Co-belligerence describes the activity of Christians working together with non-Christians for a common political, economic or cultural cause. This paper explores one biblical argument on the legitimacy of co-belligerence: the doctrine of 'common grace'. While common grace can offer a stable foundation for co-belligerence, such activity is not straightforward, and calls for careful reflection, discernment and wisdom.
Keywords: Lifestyle Issues