Ethics & Issues

Good Call: Ethics for Churches in the 21st Century

Description

We make decisions all the time – often under pressure because of time constraints, or the expectations of people around us. How can we be sure that the decisions that matter are good decisions? How can we be sure that these decisions are made well, that good outcomes are sought, and that the decision-making process honours God and respects those around us? 

This course explores ethics for the local church and aims to equip individuals and churches to make good choices. It outlines some of the key ethical principles relating to making moral (good/bad) choices, and the riches that the Christian church brings to the task of doing ethics.  

Overview

A 5-week topical course which can easily be expanded to include additional topics.

Format Available On-site; Online (zoom); or Gateway Online (by summer 2022)

Initial Topics 

    • Session 1 Principles and Resources – making ethical decisions
    • Session 2 Caring for the Environment
    • Session 3 Medical Dilemmas
    • Session 4 Sex & Marriage
    • Session 5 Ethical Talk – and Listening

Additional Topics

  • Session 6 Reproductive Technologies
  • Session 7 Computing and Artificial Intelligence
  • Session 8 Just War Theory
  • And others…

Facilitator
Rev Dr Stephen Goundrey-Smith is an experienced parish priest, a pharmacist, scholar in Christian ethics and Associate Tutor in Christian Ethics at Cuddesdon College – Gloucester & Hereford.

Format On Site & Online

Facilitator Dr Ian Donald

Ageing Gracefully: A Practical Theology of later life

Description

We all like to pretend that ageing only happens to others and not us. “Ageing gracefully” is a course for those who are ready to face up to this reality. Through biblical themes we will try to understand God’s purposes in a long life.

Together we will explore how Christians might respond to the challenges we often face towards the end of our earthly life – both in ourselves and in caring for those we love. What might it mean to remain fresh and green still bearing fruit into old age?

And two things the course is NOT about: it is not top tips for retirement; secondly, although it will include medical perspectives on the issues raised, it is not primarily a guide on how to stay healthy in old age.

Overview

A six week course for Christians who wish to explore some of the theological issues raised by an ageing society.

  • Session 1: What do I mean by ageing?
  • Session 2: God’s purpose on ageing – biblical themes
  • Session 3: Finding Healing in the Fourth Age
  • Session 4: Giving and receiving Care
  • Session 5: Dementia and personhood
  • Session 6: Dying well

Facilitator
Dr Ian Donald is a Consultant in Old Age Medicine, recently retired from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Format On Site

Facilitator Daniel Button

Contemporary Issues in Christian Perspective

Description

Most people today feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of social and cultural change – and how to respond to it all.  Governments, scientists and policy-makers all struggle to keep up, so what hope is there for the Church?  And yet as Christians we are called to be ‘salt and light’, to speak truth to power, to be a prophetic voice in our own culture and society.  What resources can we draw from theologically and biblically to respond to new and unprecedented challenges like climate change, same-sex marriage, gender dysphoria, and artificial intelligence?  How can we become more confident in responding to the pervasive challenges and the inexorable shifts in culture, morality, and society?   This course provides a forum for a deeper engagement with today’s challenges from a Christian perspective.

Overview

  • Introduction to Contemporary Issues
  • Exploring a Christian Response to:
  • Globalization
  • Same Sex Relationships
  • Artificial Intelligence and Bio-tech
  • Digital Technology and Social-Media
  • Gender Issues & Dysforia
  • Climate Change and Environmental Issues
  • Refugees, Migration and Immigration
  • Wealth, Inequality, Poverty & Justice

Format On Site

Facilitator Rev Dr Daniel Button

Issues in Science and Faith

Description

This course explores the dynamic and fascinating relationship between science and faith.  Despite the common perception that science and faith are in conflict, this is a very misleading view – science and faith are in fact two unique perspectives on God’s reality, and there is so much interaction between them that it actually boggles the mind – if only we stop to look, instead of focusing on the cultural and media portrayal of conflict, where the aim is to defeat the other.  Conflict makes the news, but the reality is an extraordinarily fruitful – yet challenging – relationship.  In fact there’s far more conflict within science and within religion than there is between the two.  This course takes the ‘Two Books’ view:  The book of God’s works (accessible through science), and the book of God’s words (the revelation of Scripture).  Both are complementary, valuable and unique perspectives on reality – a reality which includes both the physical and spiritual realm, and demands a fuller interpretation than either can achieve alone.

Overview

This course explores several aspects of science and faith:

  • Their inter-relationship (historically and today)
  • Historical examples of conflict and resolution
  • A pathway to positive interaction
  • Our Christian perception and response to issues today

Facilitator
Dan is a passionate teacher with an interdenominational background and teaching experience in 5 countries. He believes that every Christian is a theologian at heart, just needing the opportunity to explore God’s word and God’s world more deeply.