Matters of Life and Death

John Wyatt, an experienced physician and ethicist, dives deep into the controversial topic of assisted dying. He critiques the UK’s proposed bill, raising concerns over euphemistic language and the implications for patient autonomy. Wyatt candidly compares international statistics on assisted death and examines the medicalization of dying. He challenges the ethical distinction between suicide prevention and assisted dying, warning against the risks of coercion. Ultimately, he advocates for compassionate care that acknowledges human dignity without resorting to killing.

A listener in the United States has written in pondering the, ahem, sensitive issue of circumcision. In America it’s been commonplace as a medical procedure for newborn boys for generations, while in the rest of the world it’s almost exclusively a Jewish or Muslim religious rite of initiation. Does circumcision actually offer any real medical benefits? Following the growing pressure to stamp out female genital mutilation, once known as female circumcision and largely tolerated across North Africa and the Middle East, some are now looking at male circumcision with fresh eyes. Should we be much more sceptical about religious minorities performing this ritualised and irreversible procedure on non-consenting babies by non-medically trained community leaders? Or is defending the rights of Jews and Muslims on circumcision one plank in a broader effort to protect our religious liberty to continue with practices and teachings wider society now reviles? • You can send in your questions for us to discuss on the podcast, or ideas for future episodes, to molad@premier.org.uk • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • Find some of Tim's journalism and sign up for free to his weekly church news newsletter The Critical Friend: https://tswyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com

Julie Maxwell, a community paediatrician and deputy director at Lovewise, shares her expertise on gender dysphoria in children. She discusses the rising cases and the impact of social media on youth identity. Julie critiques the weak evidence for puberty blockers and the complexities surrounding detransitioners. She emphasizes the importance of compassionate engagement from a Christian perspective, urging listeners to support vulnerable children while addressing the challenges within parental and school dynamics.

A groundbreaking technique allows researchers to create human embryos using DNA from skin cells, opening doors for same-sex and infertile couples to have genetically related children. The hosts discuss the ethical implications of manipulating human biology, comparing cells to Lego blocks. They also delve into a listener’s question about the meaning of Jesus' promise of greater works, emphasizing its context and cautioning against unrealistic expectations of miraculous healing. Finally, they highlight the importance of submitting to God's will in prayer and the mystery of faith.

Of all orthodox Christian doctrines, the trinity is perhaps the one which most languishes understudied and underappreciated. Many of us see it as a baffling paradox, a riddle without an answer. Only of interest to egg-headed nerds and without any practical application to day-to-day Christian life. But have we been getting this wrong all along? Could reflecting on what it means to say we believe in one God in three persons actually unlock a whole raft of insight and appreciation for not just who our God – Father, Son and Spirit – but also lots of other elements of Christian belief and practice? • You can send in your questions for us to discuss on the podcast, or ideas for future episodes, to molad@premier.org.uk • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • Find some of Tim's journalism and sign up for free to his weekly church news newsletter The Critical Friend: https://tswyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com

John Heathershaw, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Exeter, dives into the complexities of Christian nationalism and its implications for today's political landscape. He critiques the idolatry of nation-states intertwined with Christian rhetoric, urging a prophetic stance for the church rather than political entanglement. He addresses Western liberalism's Christian roots and the danger of tech-driven echo chambers, advocating for churches to engage inclusively with disaffected communities and model dialogue over division.

In this enlightening discussion, Prof. Bob White, an eminent geophysicist and former director of the Faraday Institute, dives into the complex relationship between natural disasters and faith. He explains how plate tectonics contribute to earthquakes and volcanoes, while highlighting humanity's responsibility in the face of such dangers. Bob addresses profound questions about suffering, asserting that natural forces can coexist with a good God. He also explores the interplay of science and Christianity, urging a thoughtful approach to climate change and resilience in faith.

In a world where faith can feel under siege, Christians grapple with whether to remain prophetic outsiders or engage as incarnational insiders. The discussion dives into the contrasting roles of Elijah and Obadiah, illustrating two distinct approaches to witness. Personal anecdotes explore the ethical dilemmas of faith in medical fields, especially around sensitive topics like abortion. Ultimately, the conversation encourages respect for different callings, blending both prophetic and incarnational approaches for a holistic Christian response.

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days, and the hospital, surgery and clinic are no different. It’s getting into wearable tech, it’s assisting in making diagnoses, and much more. There’s a lot of promise, but is there also some peril? What compromises around human connection and compassionate care might we make in our rush to integrate AI into healthcare? How can Christian doctors, nurses and others continue to embody Christlike presence in a world which, more and more, is being shaped by machines, software and computers? • You can send in your questions for us to discuss on the podcast, or ideas for future episodes, to molad@premier.org.uk • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com

An influential Canadian doctors’ association has proposed expanding the country’s euthanasia laws so newborn babies suffering from serious disabilities could be given lethal drugs for the first time. In light of this, we discuss the often conflicting philosophies that lie behind our medical thinking on the unborn child versus newborn babies. What was so shocking and distinctive about how the early church treated babies so casually discarded by pagan Greco-Roman society? Are we losing this legacy of Christendom as both abortion and euthanasia are pushed ever further forwards? What will it look like in the coming decades for Christians to bear witness to their counter-cultural convictions about the full humanity and dignity of babies? Our previous episode on Canada’s euthanasia programme, Medical Assistance in Dying: https://www.johnwyatt.com/how-can-christian-doctors-approach-medically-assisted-dying/ John’s essay on better options for caring for newborn babies with life-limiting or even lethal abnormalities: https://www.johnwyatt.com/essay-palliative-care-for-babies-following-a-diagnosis-of-lethal-fetal-abnormality/ An article exploring further the radical approach early Christians took to newborn children compared to classical culture: https://www.johnwyatt.com/article-neonatal-ethics/ • You can send in your own questions for us to discuss on the podcast, or ideas for future episodes, to molad@premier.org.uk • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com