It shouldn't be a surprise. It's the logical - if unusually extreme - end point of the argument. A group of ethicists have now come out and said it: if it's right to abort children before they are born, it can't be wrong to abort them immediately after their birth.
Their argument goes like this. A person only has value if they know they have value. A foetus doesn't have that awareness. Nor does a new-born. So neither have an inherent right to life. Parents - who do have value because of their self-awareness - may feel trapped into keeping a child who is unexpectedly disabled, or who is simply not what they want any more, and their rights should trump the baby's. The parents should have a right to end the child's life.... continue reading
After 5 excellent days, The Gospel Coalition conference in Florida has come to an end. Various members of The Good Book Company team are on planes either returning back to the UK or the Washington offices. And they are encouraged. They're very encouraged to have spent time talking with and serving so many gospel-hearted people. Here are just a few of their highlights:
Tim Thornborough (Managing Director): My highlight has been meeting humble, godly, passionate pastors from all across the US, who struggle with, pretty much, the same issues that most church pastors do in the UK. I've been so inspired by the desire of Christians here to do great, ambitious things for the Kingdom of God. One friend observed to me that he thought the US church was a "sleeping giant that gets distracted by irrelevant issues every time it starts to wake up." The movement embodied by The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and like-minded organisation Together for the Gospel (T4G) are doing brilliant work to change this around. I'm praying that they are successful.
Brad Byrd (US Ministry Director): My highlight? Definitely the youth panel discussion moderated by Tim Challies which included some Good Book Company and Christianity Explored guys. And the meetings we've had with potential authors have been great.
James Burstow (Commercial Director): So much to choose from. There was being part of the Gettys' live album recording. I was four rows from the front so was virtually a backing singer! Kevin DeYoung's talk on Jesus and the Lost which was brilliant. And hearing numerous reports from US Christians of how our resources are supporting gospel ministry in their churches - such an encouragement.
Carl Laferton (Senior Editor): It has been a huge encouragement to remember that the US evangelical church doesn't have something we're missing. They do Bible-centred Jesus glorifying teaching and evangelism. So do we. And it's exciting to be partners in this. It's been similarly inspiring (and challenging) to see the immense humility of men with huge congregations and massive influence. And on a less spiritual note ... it's been great being able to eat burgers and call it immersing myself in the culture. Nice!
A little over a year ago British sports fans, and many others as well, were captivated by the story of the footballer who “died” and came back to life. Fabrice Muamba, a professional footballer with Premier League Bolton Wanderers, had a heart attack on the pitch. The match was abandoned, but the TV cameras stayed on as thousands watched medics try to restart Muamba’s heart. By the time they succeeded, he had been technically “dead” for 78 minutes.
In time, Muamba made a good recovery, though he had to retire from football. So how does he see those events of last year? A recent interview with The Times newspaper gives a fascinating insight. Here are a few quotes from the article (sadly not available online unless you have a Times subscription, in which case you can find it here).... continue reading
It's not an easy task. It's a decision over which many tears are shed. Because it's important to get it right: Which song would you sing at a loved one's funeral?
Recently, the Telegraph published the most commonly sung (or listened to) songs at cremations and burials. And it's a list that makes for interesting reading.
Unsurprisingly, there are songs that express the pain of loss ("Time to say goodbye") and the desire to remember the person who has died with ongoing affection ("Unforgettable" or "My heart will go on"). There are hints of acknowledgement that the departed may go to another place which is spiritual ("Angels" and "Over the rainbow") and where there is the possibility of being reunited in the future ("You'll never walk alone" and "We'll meet again"). There are tunes that seek to engender strength within those who are left behind ("You raise me up"). All of which, partially and imperfectly, glimpse the biblical truths that bereavement is tough and that this life is not all there is - there is a community of life beyond the grave.... continue reading
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.
Luke 24:1-8... continue reading
Are you in the sixth form? At college? Or uni? Are you interesting in pursuing a career in publishing? Do you long to write biblical, accessibly and relevantly? Then why not come on our work experience week in our UK offices in Epsom, Surrey?
Each year, The Good Book Company holds a work experience week for up to 5 young people. 5 days of hands-on experience in writing, editing, proof-reading and the overall workings of a publishing company.
This year, our work experience week is going to be from July 8th - 12th. If you - or someone you know - are interested, please email Helen Thorne for more information.
As the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer prepares to bring a swathe of economic challenges and incentives in his budget today, a quick reminder from Scripture about where our true security resides:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:22-43
Is it offensive to say that you’re ex-gay or post-gay?
That’s the question the High Court is deciding this week, after Transport for London took bus adverts down from their buses last spring, which stated; “Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud. Get over it”. Those ads had gone up in response to Stonewall’s adverts which had stated: “Some people are gay. Get over it.”
The court was told that the second advert, paid for by Core Issues and Anglican Mainstream, was: “a slap in the face, gay rejection … [and was] interpreted by many as homophobic”.... continue reading
Every now and then there's a conference that makes you stop in your tracks. A conference that seems so timely that it excites your heart, inspires your mind and sends you to your knees in prayer. A conference that leaves you with that feeling that what has been said is so desperately needed, it cannot be ignored. A conference that says absolutely nothing new because every word that's uttered is thoroughly soaked in Scripture but still manages to leave your jaw hanging open with the freshness of approach. The Changing Hearts conference on Saturday in central London was one such conference.
For those who weren't there, it was CCEF's (the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation) first official foray into the UK. They're an American organisation which offer training in biblical counselling - their stated passion being to restore Christ to counselling and restore counselling to the church.... continue reading
