Down-under round-up: 27 May 2015

Issue of the week

Neil Foster, Associate Professor of Law at Newcastle University, continues updating us on Schools, Scripture, Banning of Books and Sexual Orthodoxy, examining the merits of the objections stated to the now-marginalized Christian views on sex. He argues that “students are entitled to hear points of view at odds with the majority culture”.

However, the issue next week in Australia will be same-sex marriage. Given that the imminence of this being introduced into Parliament has only just been announced, I’ve not seen anything written regarding the current details. But nothing makes me want to alter what I said when it was last raised around Parliament by way of a private member’s bill back in 2011-12:

• A constituent on same-sex marriage: my letter to my MP, explaining my Christian and general reasons for not redefining marriage.


• My discussion of evidence that suggests children tend to do best when raised by their biological parents in an intact relationship.

Making disciples of Jesus

Two articles raised the urgent need for Christians to step out from our insular safe networks and to rub shoulders with people different from ourselves.

If I may hazard a weakness in the argument of each, it is that in urging us to love the other, like the good Samaritan did, neither article really explores how to cope when our genuine love and winsomeness gets stomped on because we hold onto biblical theology and morality which is now deemed unacceptable in society.

Still, both articles repay the read:

• Gimme Shelter: Why the Church Doesn’t Need to Hide by Tess Holgate


• How Do We Live Together? The Christian Life in a Fragmented City, by Rev Dr Michael Spence

The latter, longer piece was written by the vice-chancellor of one of Australia’s most prestigious universities and published on the website of Australia’s public broadcaster. Despite other difficulties for Christians in Australia at present, that such an openly Christian opinion piece can appear from that kind of position in that kind of space is worth noting. Our existing public freedoms of speech are greater than we realize. Let’s exercise them vigorously with salt and grace.

Really a little article in the form of an honest cartoon, Adam Ford tries to encourage believers who struggle with depression and anxiety.

Image of the week