In Depth:  Bill James

Now This

Bill James

We can sometimes feel that we aren’t making any difference. Perhaps we thought and prayed about how to vote in the General Election, but ended up with an MP, or a government, which we did not choose.

That can be true in church life as well, or a difficult situation at work; however hard we pray, and seek to do the right thing, we are not seeing any progress. We might be tempted to give up, stop praying, and doubt whether God cares about the situation. Or perhaps be tempted to take matters into our own hands and get angry, vent our frustration, and respond in a less than godly way.

Now This

Bill James

Jonathan Haidt’s recent book on anxiety amongst teenagers being exacerbated by smartphone usage rings true. But the title of his book The Anxious Generation could be applied more widely to Western society.

We are becoming accustomed to a world of constant threat and uncertainty. The Covid pandemic ramped up social anxiety to such an extent that mask wearing and lockdowns were not only legally mandated but actually welcomed by many.

Now This

Bill James

One of the troubling issues of our national economy is the number of people who are not at work.

While the official unemployment statistics are very low, because very few are looking for work, the number on out-of-work benefits has risen to 5.6 million, and growing (The Spectator, 24 February 2024). It seems that since Covid, for whatever reason, many are reluctant to get back to work.

Now This

Bill James

There has been an extraordinary ruling in the Supreme Court of Alabama. Early embryos used in IVF should be afforded the rights of children, protected by the State’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, the court declared.

The ruling was extraordinary not only because of its clarity, but also the Biblical and theological reasoning used to make the case. As Christians, we welcome the affirmation that human rights and personhood are rooted in Biblical foundations, namely that each human life begins at conception and we are made in the image of God.

Now This

Bill James

As summer approaches, many of us will receive wedding invitations.

We may be clear that Biblical marriage is between one man and woman, and that sexual intimacy is only appropriate within that context. But how do we respond when a friend or a family member invites us to their gay or transgender wedding? Do we prioritise friendly relationships and accept, or decide on principle that we cannot go?

Now This

Bill James

We are horrified as we look back in history and see how our spiritual forefathers failed in critical ways.

During the time of the slave trade, some not only remained silent but were involved by owning slaves. During the time of Nazi Germany there were precious few who, like Bonhoeffer, were willing to speak up at the risk of their lives. So, what will be the verdict of history on our generation? Which issues do we neglect which will be seen in a different light in the future?