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Book Review: The Martyr and the Red Kimono by Naoko Abe
Maximilian Kolbe’s sacrifice at Auschwitz is well-known, but Naoko Abe’s book reveals his lesser-known years as a missionary in Japan. Through the lives of Tomei Ozaki, a Nagasaki survivor, and Masatoshi Asari, a peace-driven botanist, she uncovers Kolbe’s lasting influence, weaving history, faith, and reconciliation into a compelling narrative.
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Fact-checking: Biblical or Biased?
Meta’s shift to Community Notes over independent fact-checkers is a politically performative but positive step toward decentralising power. Rooted in a biblical principle of shared responsibility, this system encourages accountability across perspectives. However, challenges remain, including its slow response to misinformation and limited scope. Ultimately, it's a ‘least worst’ option in a fragmented world where trust in institutions is eroding.
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Cambridge Papers: Dark Spiritual Encounters and Hidden Dangers
Cambridge Papers' latest article by Krisztina Mair explores the growing interest in spiritual phenomena, particularly among younger generations, and the rise of alternative spiritualities like witchcraft. Drawing on early Church teachings, it highlights the importance of reclaiming classical Christian theology to navigate today's spiritual landscape.
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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
President Trump’s second term begins with bold policies, blending commendable actions like protecting women’s spaces and ending DEI mandates with concerning moves like monetising power through memecoins. While his optimism and some biblically-aligned decisions are praised, his hubristic tone, foreign policy aggression, and financial exploitation raise red flags. The week’s events promise a turbulent, transformative presidency ahead. Buckle up—it’s going to be a wild ride.
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We Can’t Afford to Grow Old
As I reflect on elderly care in Britain, I see profound injustice in a system that prioritises profit over dignity. The costs are extortionate, with agencies reaping profits while carers and families bear the burden. Society must shift from fear-driven priorities to relational care, empowering families and fostering intergenerational support rooted in fairness and compassion.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.