Matters of Life and Death

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Feb 21, 2024 • 35min

Q&A: Should single Christians use dating apps if they strike out at church?

A listener seeks advice on using dating apps as a single Christian due to limited options at church. The podcast also delves into the rise of AI robocalls in elections, exploring the implications of technology in politics. The discussion touches on relationships, consent, deep friendships, and the dangers of deep fake technology in shaping public opinion and trust in democracy.
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Feb 14, 2024 • 57min

New Creation: Reading the Bible backwards, the ‘opiate of the masses’, Physics 2.0, and the resurrected yet scarred body

Delving into the deeper narrative of the Bible, the podcast discusses topics like resurrection, ascension, heaven, and new creation, urging Christians to consider the future hope of their faith. It explores the significance of scars in resurrected bodies, challenges traditional views on end times, and examines the impact of Christian beliefs on medical care decisions. From exploring eschatology to environmental stewardship, the podcast prompts listeners to engage with these thought-provoking topics.
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Feb 7, 2024 • 52min

Egg freezing revisited: What about the ‘surplus’ eggs, and is better contraception part of the solution?

A discussion on the ethical implications of unused eggs from egg freezing procedures and the need for better contraception. Exploring regulatory time limits on embryo freezing, ethical concerns in IVF, and the concept of personhood. Delving into the moral landscape of abortion, contraception efficacy, and ethical considerations among Christians.
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Jan 31, 2024 • 40min

Gender gap in church: Onward Christian Soldiers, the only man in a room full of women, Bonhoeffer’s ‘cheap grace’ and Christian dating apps

Exploring the gender gap in the church and the challenges faced by single Christian women in finding partners. Discussing the disparity in church attendance between genders and questioning its validity. Examining the tension between sacrifice and comfort in Christianity and the appeal of martyrdom. Delving into the stereotypes and frustrations associated with the gender gap in the church. Exploring the dynamics of all-male and all-female groups and the experiences of being the only man in a predominantly female group. Discussing the rise of Christian dating apps and cultivating healthy attitudes towards relationships.
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Jan 24, 2024 • 43min

Q&A: The contradictions which underpin anti-suicide efforts in an era of euthanasia, and are there any honest and unbiased journalists left these days?

The podcast delves into the contradictions in society's approach to suicide prevention and euthanasia, discussing different criteria for rational suicide and questioning who should have the authority to decide. It also explores the challenges of finding unbiased news sources and emphasizes the importance of trust in determining truth. The hosts discuss the significance of a free press, the rise of algorithm-based news outlets, and the trend of journalists starting their own independent newsletters. The chapter also explores the role of media in society, highlighting the growing partisanship and lack of trustworthiness in the media. Overall, the podcast explores truth, contradictions, and the future of our current world.
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Jan 17, 2024 • 57min

Egg freezing: The ticking biological clock, prosecco and cheese evenings, the culture war over maternal age, and living with wisdom and contentment

Exploring the increasing popularity of egg freezing, the podcast discusses ethical considerations, social disparities in maternal age, the cultural war over maternal age, and the consequences of delayed fertility. The hosts question societal expectations and emphasize the importance of individual decision-making.
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Jan 10, 2024 • 59min

Genetics: Libraries of recipe books, BRCA1, Gattaca, and Big Data Towers of Babel

A final classic episode to see us through the Christmas and New Year break. Today we’re returning to an interview with NHS geneticist Melody Redman. Each of us carries around in our cells about 20,000 different genes – a unique set of biological code which shapes how our bodies develop. As scientists better understand genes and how they work, genetics is becoming a more and more important field of modern medicine, particularly in diagnosing conditions. But this comes with a brand new set of ethical challenges to think through. We go on to talk about a new NHS programme in England which is piloting whole genome sequencing of newborn babies. Why are scientists and doctors interested in collecting a child’s entire set of genes and storing them for the rest of their life? What medical benefits might result from this, and what ethical challenges does it throw up? Just because we can now do this, should we? We also consider some of the risks of our increasingly geneticised world and how as Christians we can hold onto our identity in Christ rather than lapsing into genetic determinism. • Find out more about the Newborn Genomes Programme here - https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/initiatives/newborns • The group Unique helps support people and families affected by rare chromosomal and genetic disorders - https://rarechromo.org/ • 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
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Jan 3, 2024 • 1h 4min

Pregnancy crisis: A constructive Christian response, heads versus hearts, paternalistic gynaecologists, and ambiguity in the ultrasound clinic

In this podcast, Sophie Guthrie-Kummer from Choices, a Christian crisis pregnancy centre in London, discusses how to respond to abortion in a constructive and non-inflammatory way. They tackle topics such as non-directive counseling, working in hospitals that carry out abortions, and the importance of empathy and compassion in the abortion debate.
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Dec 27, 2023 • 58min

Climate anxiety: ’Delay means death’, Extinction Rebellion, throwing pebbles into God’s river, and rediscovering lament

This podcast episode explores the impact of climate change on mental health, particularly among young people, and discusses the growing sense of fatalism and nihilism among climate activists. It addresses the rising climate anxiety among young people and raises concerns about the blame placed on climate activists for instilling fear. The episode also explores the negative impact of unwarranted pessimism on climate change and emphasizes the importance of taking action. It discusses the Christian perspective on climate change and the need for personal and collective action. The episode explores the connection between the Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution era, and the extractive mindset towards the earth. It also compares the secular and Christian understanding of the future and discusses the relationship between climate activism and faith.
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Dec 20, 2023 • 43min

Q&A: Should we welcome the coming wave of anti-obesity drugs, and what’s at stake in the argument over the 14-day limit on embryo research?

This podcast tackles the controversial anti-obesity drug Wegovy and its implications for self-control and public health. It also delves into the debate surrounding the 14-day limit on human embryo research, discussing the motivations of scientists and the ethical concerns involved. Christian perspectives and alternative approaches to medical issues are explored, emphasizing human preservation and ethical considerations over scientific experimentation.

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