Matters of Life and Death

Delve into the controversial world of The Enhanced Games, where athletes can use any technology or drugs for peak performance. Explore the clash of transhumanism and ethical implications as elite sports become a testing ground for human enhancement. The discussion raises provocative questions about competition and the societal views on success, contrasting ancient ideals with contemporary practices. Engage with the moral dilemmas posed by the intersection of sports, technology, and faith as we ponder the future of humanity and enhancement.

This discussion tackles the moral dilemmas Christians face when considering jobs in the defense industry. It examines the interplay between faith and ethics, especially through the lens of just war theory. The conversation then shifts to a shocking family discovery made through DNA testing, raising questions about the implications of such technologies on identity and kinship. Historical perspectives on maternity practices further enrich the dialogue, revealing the complexities of nature, nurture, and modern family dynamics.

In this engaging discussion, Luke Arredondo, a Catholic theologian and expert on Pope Leo XIII, explores the new Pope Leo XIV's nod to his namesake's impactful teachings. They dive into the revolutionary implications of Catholic social teaching, linking it to today's technological era marked by AI. Arredondo highlights how the Church's pro-worker principles from the 1890s remain relevant in addressing modern labor issues and the ethical challenges posed by globalization and digital advancements.

Last week we set the historical context of abortion law in the UK and how a sudden imposition of decriminalised abortion in 2019 in Northern Ireland set a precedent for what happened here in England a few weeks ago. But it’s hard to imagine the situation we have today also without the covid pandemic, which pro-abortion activists used skilfully to accelerate their plans to liberalise Britain’s abortion regime. How did the pills by post telemedicine abortions introduced during the lockdown lead to our present situation, where a small number of women are being unprecedentedly prosecuted and even imprisoned for aborting late-term fetuses? And presuming decriminalisation does pass the House of Lords and become law, what on earth should Christians and the church do in response? Is the answer more strident advocacy, prayer, or social action to reduce demand for abortion in the first place? Dawn McAvoy leads the Both Lives initiative from the Evangelical Alliance, find out more here - https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives/about • 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

Dawn McAvoy, leader of the Both Lives initiative at the Evangelical Alliance, dives into the controversial recent decriminalization of abortion in the UK. She unpacks the speed and lack of debate surrounding this reform, exploring its historical context and implications. The conversation highlights the significant shifts in societal attitudes towards abortion, particularly in Northern Ireland. Dawn also discusses the ethical concerns and the evolving legal landscape, raising questions about the balance between individual rights and societal responsibilities.

This week we’re joined by the writer and podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield. Her new book Fully Alive is a series of essays trying to introduce riches of the Christian tradition and its wisdom on everything from feminism to loneliness to non-believers who may have never considered Christianity before. We discuss trying to tap into what many see as a crisis of meaning and associated new openness to faith in culture. Is there really, beyond the tiny intellectual elite debating these ideas, a genuine curiosity and yearning for spiritual answers to life’s biggest questions among ordinary people? Elizabeth also lives in a 21st-century monastic-style community house in South London, and we drill into how sharing your home, money and life with another family can possibly work – and the costs and benefits of radical early church-style hospitality. Find out more about Elizabeth and her book, podcast and newsletter at www.elizabetholdfield.com • 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

Tim is on holiday, so today we’re bringing you a classic episode from the MOLAD archive. The persecuted church today lives as it always has under the threat of arrest, imprisonment, physical attack, verbal threats and harassment, and even death. But today these traditional methods are supplemented by the technological revolution. Increasingly persecution comes via the internet, on social media platforms, and sometimes even via the smart devices Christians use themselves. How do oppressive regimes and anti-Christian extremists use modern tech to persecute believers? What impact does this new form of pervasive digital surveillance have on underground churches? And how can those of us worshipping in safety and freedom try to resist a future of global coercion and repression for vulnerable Christians facilitated by multinational tech companies? • 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

Christianity is sometimes described as ‘bad news for women’. Clearly we would all disagree with this epithet, but why does it have cultural currency right now for a growing number of particularly younger women? In this episode we’re joined by Ellidh Cook, a student worker in central London whose theological studies focused on violence against women in the Old Testament, to discuss how she goes about showing women our faith is actually lifegiving for both sexes. Where might the church have gone wrong in its efforts to put Biblical teaching into practice? Should believers be feminists? What does that word even mean today? And what hope can the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ offer the stressed, anxious, confused and exploited young women of our 21st century societies? - 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

It’s hard to escape the fact that we live in gloomy, despairing times. Whether it is economic stagnation, pandemics, democracy under attack, unending wars or the climate crisis, more and more people feel like things are falling apart. That maybe even the world is coming to a depressing end. How did things get this hopeless, given the relatively recent optimism and energy of the past? Must Christians by default oppose this kind of despair, and what does the Bible have to say about watching the signs of the times? And given apocalypse literally means a time of uncovering and revealing, what should we have our eyes open to in this season of revelation? • 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

In this lively discussion, Amy Smith and Ed Drew of the Faith in Parenting podcast tackle the challenges of parenting with a Christian perspective. They explore how to answer children's curious questions about science, dinosaurs, and sexuality. The duo emphasizes fostering open dialogue and instilling a sense of awe about creation. They also discuss navigating dark narratives and complex topics like climate change, while merging faith with critical thinking. Ultimately, they inspire fostering hope and resilience in an ever-confusing world.