The most interesting aspect of the whole segregated-seating debate is the issue that lies behind it.
Let me say first up, I’m not for segregated seating. Neither are most people in the country, according to the media. You’re probably not, either.
But even when we agree with each other, it’s worth asking: Why? On what grounds don’t I agree with this?
Here’s the Christian’s reasoning. God has created male and female equal, and different. God has told us when and how men and women will (or should) live differently; for instance, women have the ability to get pregnant (Genesis 3 v 15-16—I don’t think this is particularly controversial!); men are called to lead their families if they’re husbands (Ephesians 5 v 23-25—this is a little more controversial…) But, apart from where God has said otherwise, there is no difference—so it seems strange and unnecessary to seat men and women separately.... continue reading
The public services are over. The singing and dancing are dying down. The news crews are moving on to the next big thing.
After acres of newsprint and television interviews, now starts the long, slow, developing assessment of the life and legacy of Madiba (his Xhosa clan name), Tata (father), or as the rest of the world knows him, Nelson Mandela.
Obituaries and biographies are funny things. It's often been noted that the first to be produced are by enthusiastic supporters who write their lives as bordering on sainthood. The rough edges of their personalities are smoothed over. Their mistakes are ignored and downplayed. Those who have dirt to spill, keep silent in the general atmosphere of adulation that follows the death of a "great one". And then - perhaps 10-20 years later - comes the reaction, when critical and iconoclastic articles and biographies appear, and the difficulties that their policies have created mature and come to light.... continue reading
The billboard caught my eye as I was waiting at the lights. The new Batman game for PS3, Arkham Origins, loomed large to my left.
I don’t usually pay much attention to ads like that, I don’t tend to play computer games – partly because I have some ethical qualms, largely because I am unspeakably inept at them - but the blurb for this one got my mind whirring.
The plot is simple. An evil villain escapes a high security prison, along with some equally vile accomplices, and together they place an enormous bounty on Batman’s head. Carnage ensues as Batman tries to round them up before they kill him and the population rips themselves apart. The concept isn’t literary rocket-science but what intrigues is the strap-line: your enemies will define you. Set at the start of Batman’s career, the thesis is that his struggle against these particular embodiments of evil defines who he later becomes.... continue reading
If you use Twitter, listen to the radio, or read the papers, you’ll know that Monday’s big news was the diver Tom Daley: not his sporting prowess, but his relationship status. He’s announced that, while (and I’m deliberately using the words he chose) he still fancies girls, he’s been in a relationship with another guy for around six months.
Tom is, he says, very happy—being with this guy makes him “feel safe”.
Reaction to Tom choosing to publicise his relationship has, generally, been very positive. And, of course, the reaction most Bible-believing Christians will want to jump to is the exact opposite—a negative one. That’s understandable because, while the Bible is clear that God loves all people, sent his Son to die so that anyone can be saved, delights in giving people eternal life if they turn to him and takes no delight in judging those who choose not to, the Bible also makes very clear that active homosexuality is something that goes against God’s design for us, is an act of rebellion against him as ruler, and so (if forgiveness isn’t asked for) leaves someone outside his kingdom, for eternity, though not beyond forgiveness (eg: 1 Corinthians 6 v 9-11).
But here are two points that are worth Christians pondering, and then two things I’d love to think Tom Daley - and others - might be brought to ponder.... continue reading
A few guys at the Good Book office have joined in with the UK campaign to support and advertise men's health issues by growing moustaches. Pictured are (l to r) Creative Director Tim Thornborough, Senior Editor Carl Laferton, and Alex Webb-Peploe who is working with us on an illustrated project, The Third Day, which is launching at Easter 2014. Although we have had enormous fun, growing, shaping, comparing and pruning our facial furniture, there is a universal dislike of them from the women-folk. Movember is over - and we'll be clean shaven when the calendar clicks over into December this coming Sunday.
Europe has been buzzing with fresh questions about euthanasia in recent weeks.
A few days ago, a couple in their 80s committed suicide in a French hotel, leaving a note expressing disgust that their government deprived them of the right to a more "dignified" death. They didn't want to risk life without each other, so chose to die together.... continue reading
Wishing all our American friends a very happy thanksgiving today.
If you want something thought-provoking to read this thanksgiving, why not try Jen Wilkin's piece posted recently on The Gospel Coalition site?
But most importantly:
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures for ever" Psalm 118:1
For the last decade, the Old Vic theatre in London has managed once a year to write, cast, rehearse and put on a play in 24 hours. A single day to do everything.
The script is written overnight… the play is rehearsed through the day… the performance is in the evening. Simple!
It set us to thinking… what would a 24-hour TGBC production of a book look like? Would it be possible for us to take a book from idea to print in a single day? Here’s what might happen…
7:00 AM
Editorial team gather to brainstorm idea for a short book; agree the concept; work up a proposal.
Coffee machine switched on; extra strong coffee ordered.... continue reading
We're thrilled to have a new addition to The Good Book family, here in the UK office. Rachel Jones is going to be working with us as our editorial intern for the next six months.
Rachel, who loves pasta and hails from Burnley (where she grew up with her 2 brothers and 1 sister) is going to be spending her time learning the ropes of the publishing business, with a particular emphasis on writing and editing. She's particularly looking forward to seeing how books grow from idea to finished manuscript.
Please do pray for her as she settles in to her new home, new role at Good Book and finds a new church in the local area. And do look out for her posts on the blog in the coming months ...
Can you fix your own heart?
Yes, you can…
Engineer Tal Golesworthy has managed complex projects all his life and is used to solving problems. And he has lived with a rare life-threatening heart condition - Marfan syndrome - for the last 30 years.
A keen skier, the 57-year old from Gloucester, UK, was not impressed with the various options on offer from doctors. They would have left him unable to enjoy the life he wanted to the full.
So he started work to devise a solution to fix his own heart.... continue reading
