Category: ethics

Can we talk about sex and relationships? The pastoral challenges and pitfalls

I’m returning to the themes coming out of The Gospel Coalition’s controversial article “Sex is not your saviour but it points to the one who is” which provided an excerpt from Josh Butler’s forthcoming book, Beautiful Unnion. As promised, I want to deal here with some of the challenges and pitfalls around talking theologically and… Continue reading Can we talk about sex and relationships? The pastoral challenges and pitfalls

Foundations for a Christian perspective on current issues, challenges and controversies around UK healthcare

I spent the first two articles making some observations about two specific examples of the issues and controversies we are currently facing when talking about UK healthcare, the Junior Doctors Strike and debates around funding and privatisation when it comes to the NHS. Now, let’s step back a little and think about how we view… Continue reading Foundations for a Christian perspective on current issues, challenges and controversies around UK healthcare

The NHS, strikes and Junior Doctors’ Pay

One of the issues which keeps coming up with regards to recent NHS pay disputes is that Junior Doctors are able to seek better pay and conditions outside of the NHS, whether through leaving healthcare completely or by moving to another country where pay and conditions are better. I understand that over 10000 medics have… Continue reading The NHS, strikes and Junior Doctors’ Pay

Starting to think through the UK healthcare crisis from a Christian perspective

With NHS strikes having been in the news recently, I think it’s good for us to keep stretching our thinking about the issues involved. I’m going to do this over a few articles.  My reason for doing so, is that I think Christians should be concerned about what happens in terms of society around us. … Continue reading Starting to think through the UK healthcare crisis from a Christian perspective

What do you think about strikes and industrial action?

I’ve been trying to do a little bit of ethical and pastoral thinking around the question of industrial action and strikes recently. Whilst this was a significant issue during the 1970s and 80s, it really slipped down the agenda over the following decades. However, it looks like we are entering a period where we can… Continue reading What do you think about strikes and industrial action?

What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about slavery?

In  amongst what Paul has to say about singleness, celibacy, abstinence, non-Christian partners and divorce in 1 Corinthians 7, he talks about the situation that slaves find themselves in. Whilst our focus has been understanding the issue of sexual ethics, I want to pause on this particular example because the question of Paul’s attitude to… Continue reading What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about slavery?

How do we think Christianly about the junior doctors dispute?

After Easter, Junior Doctors in the NHS went on strike as part of an ongoing dispute concerning pay and working conditions.  I appreciate that there will be diverse and passionate views about the strikes among my readers.  Those views will reflect personal experience of the NHS, whether or not you personally know junior doctors. My… Continue reading How do we think Christianly about the junior doctors dispute?

What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about marriage to unbelievers?

I’m continuing my little series of articles looking at what 1 Corinthians 7 actually says about sexual ethics.  Remember that the starting point has been a question about abstinence.  Is it a good thing for men to abstain from sexual relations with women?  It is In this context that a question comes up about situations… Continue reading What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about marriage to unbelievers?

Out of scope?  Do your beliefs affect your views on controversial issues like Strike action?

This last week, Junior Doctors have been on Strike over pay and conditions.  This is against a backdrop of significant and increasing industrial unrest not seen in the UK since the 1970s and early 80s.  We’ve seen teachers, train drivers, bus drivers postmen and nurses take or consider industrial action.  More strikes and other forms… Continue reading Out of scope?  Do your beliefs affect your views on controversial issues like Strike action?