Printed from: https://www.cmf.org.uk/resources/publications/authors/?id=50&index=10
A gay war hero from World War II is chemically castrated, leading to his suicide (The Imitation Game). A convent schoolgirl falls pregnant so the nuns have her child adopted, which breaks her heart (Philomena).Gay activists against social injustice are further victimised by straight society (Milk, Pride). Journalists reveal a...
Everyone loves a good story. We have many art forms that we can tell stories through: theatre, fiction, poetry, song, graphic novels, but where to start? Perhaps the most accessible, universal and affordable ever created is film. In a previous age, art that cost millions could hang on only one...
Definition: Cynicism is 'believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere'. (1) It's not the same as scepticism, which is 'doubting the truth or value of a belief'. (2) While scientists should question truth claims, cynics are pathologically mistrustful of people. The medical professional can be...
Jesus told us not to worry. But many Christians do, and then feel guilty as well. This excellent book offers practical tips for sufferers. Written by a sympathetic pastor and psychiatrist, it's full of helpful illustrations and biblical application. For instance, do you recognise the rocking chair of worry, which...
Alex Bunn shares some highlights. Have you ever been in a conversation where the Bible is treated as a fairy tale? Have you ever wanted to justify your conviction that the Bible is trustworthy? Thanks to our colonial history of 'safeguarding' international treasures, the British Museum (BM) in London hosts a...
Alex Bunn looks at the pastor who tried to kill Hitler Alex Bunn is CMF Associate Head of Student Ministries (Field) and a GP in London. Heroes 17: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: prophet, martyr, ethicist, spy On 27 July 1945 an elderly couple in Berlin huddled around their wireless, awaiting a BBC broadcast. They had...
Alex Bunn examines pioneering missionaries to China. Hudson Taylor - 1832-1905 'nothing too much for Christ' In our last edition, we remembered Thomas Barnardo, who though inspired by Hudson Taylor to become a missionary to China was eventually called to stay in London. Now we consider Hudson himself, whose legacy in...
Alex Bunn examines the life of a pioneer of children's welfare. It's a cold winter's night in 1866. You're a 21 year old medical student, volunteering in one of Shaftesbury's ragged schools and it's home time. You're locking up the converted donkey shed in London's East End. But there's an eight...
Lord Shaftesbury (1801-1885) What links Piccadilly Circus, scrotal cancer, a Prime Minister's love child and Zionism? The clue is in the title, so read on! You probably recognise the famous statue in Piccadilly Circus in London's West End, also the logo for a major newspaper. The crowds of theatre-goers are likely...
Christians will look to the Bible for answers. However, the Bible was written into a pre-industrial Middle- Eastern culture, familiar with cows but not cars, vineyards but not ventilators. Presented with a medical dilemma, how might we get from Genesis to gene therapy? Not only is there cultural and historical...
