The ‘Rule of Law’
Justice demands impartiality and accountability, principles rooted in Old Testament law. Yet recent events in the US and UK undermine this: blanket presidential pardons, selective law enforcement, and unjust policing reveal systemic partiality. Christians must pray, advocate, and work for justice, recognising that without impartial law, respect for the rule of law and societal trust will erode.
A Political Dinner Table
The dinner table, once a symbol of unity, now reflects the divides of our era—political tension, generational shifts, and social media echo chambers. This holiday season, let’s prioritise relationships over differences. Inspired by Jesus’ walk to Emmaus, where connection overcame chaos, we’re reminded to listen, empathise, and value each other above opinions. Connection starts here.
How to Increase Birth Rates in the EU
Dr Michael Schluter and Matthew Ferguson’s article, intended for EU policymakers, presents a relationships-centred approach to address Europe’s demographic decline. The article presents that current policies focus too heavily on economic incentives, failing to address social, cultural, and ideological factors that impact family decisions. Key recommendations include prioritising family policy, reducing time pressures on parents, promoting the co-location of extended families, restructuring corporate responsibility to support family life, and reorienting education to emphasise relational values. They advocate a shift toward “relational rights,” balancing individual and communal responsibilities, to foster a supportive environment for family growth.
Why am I so terrified by euthanasia?
As the bill for euthanasia legalisation enters Parliament, I find myself unsettled. Beyond concerns of coercion or manipulation, euthanasia represents a chilling hopelessness—a reliance on brutal autonomy. Enshrining individual control over life’s end misses the richness of end-of-life care's compassion, nuance, and dignity, eroding the boundary between ethical care and hastened death.
Families are more Precious than Gold
In its May 2024 report, the Centre for Social Justice presents a bold vision, advocating for family-centred policies that prioritize human relationships, community, and solidarity in UK governance. The report highlights how modern consumerism undermines these values, contributing to loneliness and isolation. It calls for stronger family structures, marriage support, and safeguarding Sundays to restore balance and strengthen community ties.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer on October 7
A prayer to meditate on in light of the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
Cambridge Papers: Chronic Pain
In the latest Cambridge Papers publication, Andrew Perrett and Louise Robinson share their personal story and offer biblical insights on how we can better support those in pain.
How can Christians make sense of hate speech laws from a Biblical worldview? – an analysis of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021
The enactment of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 drew significant attention globally. Despite the controversy, the Act adds little new, primarily extending existing hate crime laws. However, concerns arise regarding free speech and the broad interpretation of "hatred." For Christians, evaluating such laws critically, through a biblical lens, remains essential to safeguarding both truth and conscience.
Time for Everything
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Venezuela has awaited change for 25 years. Fraud and repression mar its elections, contrasting sharply with the smooth transitions seen in countries like the UK. The need for transparent, fair elections is critical. Please pray for the people and church of Venezuela.
A Brief History of the Jubilee Centre
The Jubilee Centre began in Kenya during the 1970s and focused on biblical law's societal blueprint. Michael Schluter founded it in Cambridge, initially campaigning against Sunday trading deregulation. It expanded to address social issues, support peace initiatives, and promote 'Relationism'. The Centre currently operates remotely, continuing its research and publications.
Lessons from Covid
Time is a strange thing. The pandemic seems both distant and unreal, partly because so much has happened since: a war in Europe and a cost-of-living crisis. The extraordinary experience of lockdown felt like a bad dream. Many now avoid discussing Covid, yet it's crucial to reflect on it to better handle future pandemics and the responses they may demand.
The Jubilee Centre’s Votewise Legacy for the UK General Election in 2024
We can easily be perplexed by how to vote in the upcoming General Election from a Christian perspective. Various Votewise books and Bible studies published by the Jubilee Centre around past elections offer valuable guidance on how to make that decision and remind us to focus on unity and prayer at a potentially divisive time.
Why and how should Christians prioritise seeing the world through a relational lens?
Without being aware of it, everyone views the world differently based on their perspective. For instance, a microwave can be evaluated financially, environmentally, personally, or relationally. These lenses apply in all areas of life, including business, education, and international relations. Christians should prioritize the relational lens, as Christianity emphasizes relationships—within the Trinity, with others, and with God.
A New Law for All People?
In "God, Justice and Society," Burnside explores bridging secular and sacred law, emphasizing a relational approach to justice. Drawing from the OT, he highlights community involvement in penal outcomes and calls for citizen accountability. Adhering to 'Jubilee Institutional Norms' could bless society, reflecting universal applicability of God's law.
Towards a Better Approach to Asylum
Johannes de Jong underscores a nuanced asylum approach, rooted in universal equality and dignity. It emphasizes tackling root causes of migration, notably conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan exacerbated by regimes in Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan. This article urges a reevaluation of European foreign policy, prioritizing human rights and long-term stability over short-term gains. By focusing on the why of migration rather than just the who, it advocates for a more empathetic and effective response to global displacement challenges.
Budget ‘24 - A Relational Alternative
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's lacklustre 2024 Budget highlighted the drought of ideas from the UK's political class, hemmed in by high debt and stagnant growth. This blog outlines a radical relational alternative that promotes marriage, wealth dispersal, and poverty alleviation. Proposals include incentivising marriage and elderly care within the family, spreading legacies, and curbing debt reliance.
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Recent archaeological and natural discoveries often align with biblical teachings. Lately, medical research highlights health benefits of Christian practices like kindness and generosity, improving mood, reducing pain, and enhancing immunity. Over 23 years, generous individuals exhibited longer life expectancy. This complements Jesus' teaching, affirming that giving brings blessings, even in physical health.
Israel and Gaza
In the aftermath of the shocking Hamas attacks on Israelis, Rvd Dr Ian Stackhouse emphasizes the setback to the peace process and the absence of a viable peace initiative. He advocates for the church's role in challenging Christian Zionism theologically, denouncing extremism, and promoting forgiveness and reconciliation at local levels. The article highlights grassroots efforts for peace, such as Musalaha, and stresses the potential impact of sincere and continuous prayer in the midst of the conflict.
Cashing Out? - Biblical Thoughts on the Future of Money
In a recent Cambridge Paper, Paul Mills delves into the transformative landscape of monetary affairs marked by the resurgence of inflation and rapid interest rate hikes in 2022. As traditional banks faced historic failures, digital payment systems evolved, prompting a global push for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). The paper explores these shifts, emphasizing the need for Christians to engage in the debate, drawing on biblical wisdom to navigate the future of money, privacy, and state influence. The author critiques the inflationary nature of the current debt-based bank-money system and advocates for alternatives like non-inflationary cryptocurrencies or commodity-backed stablecoins, aligning with biblical principles of decentralization.
Freedom of Speech: its importance and necessary constraints
This article explores the delicate balance between freedom of speech and its limitations, emphasizing the critical role it plays in maintaining a free society. It addresses recent cases where speech rights collided with societal norms, raising questions about the evolving attitudes towards free expression. The author discusses the threat to free speech from those advocating for justice and explores the influence of both governmental and corporate control on speech. The article also touches on demographic changes and the challenges posed by religious speech, urging a nuanced approach to protect individual liberties while avoiding harm or intimidation.