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

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

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

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

David McIlroy, July 2005   No comments

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Contemporary Western society suppresses the concepts of honour and shame, although they re-surface in its media in a theatre of the grotesque. Honour reinforces good behaviour through appeals to a shared morality, while shame penalises bad behaviour through disgrace and exposure. The Bible offers a different social vision, in which honour is respected through discretion, and where shame and disgrace can be dealt with through confession, reconciliation and restoration into the community.

Keywords: Lifestyle Issues, Worldviews & Culture

Jason Fletcher, December 2004   3 comments

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Rather than neglect Mosaic law, Christians have a responsibility to seek in the law given to shape the nation of Israel insight into Gods will for nations generally. This is so because Mosaic law was never intended exclusively for Israel; its ethical principles originate in the character of God and are foundational to the creation order. Moreover, Jesus does not abolish Mosaic law but authoritatively reveals its underlying ethical intent, and Paul, although critical of the misuse and powerlessness of the law, also affirms its abiding ethical authority.

Keywords: Lifestyle Issues

Michael Schluter, June 2000   No comments

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Limited liability is contrary to biblical teaching because, exceptionally in the law of contract, it allows that certain debts may be left unpaid. Solutions lie, it is argued, in policies that restore shareholder liability, and incentives for business not to incorporate.

Keywords: Lifestyle Issues

Michael Schluter, December 1997   No comments

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This paper tells the story of my search over the last twenty years to find an alternative social paradigm which is closer to biblical norms than democratic capitalism or market socialism.

Keywords: Lifestyle Issues

Paul Mills, June 1996   1 comment

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Who should you trust with your savings? Is the highest return all that counts or should this be sacrificed to moral principle? This paper discusses the appropriate ways for Christians to save and invest by outlining general and specific biblical instruction on the subject.

Keywords: Finance & the Economy, Lifestyle Issues

Michael Schluter, December 1995   No comments

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This paper will argue that Old and New Testament perspectives on roots are compatible. Christians must hold in tension the practice of roots in their personal lives and the promotion of roots through public policy whilst recognising that Christ may require them at any time to leave home and even family to follow his calling.

Keywords: Lifestyle Issues, Worldviews & Culture

Paul Mills, March 1995   1 comment

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The first of two papers concerned with financial mangement from a Christian perspective. The paper confronts the tension in biblical teaching enjoining both the exercise of personal faith and prudence with respect to wealth. It then outlines some practical pointers for savings and insurance.

Keywords: Finance & the Economy, Lifestyle Issues