Decisive issues facing Christians today /
John Stott.
- xiv, 427 pages ; 23 cm.
Enl. ed. of: Involvement. 1984
Includes bibliographical references.
PART 1. CHRISTIANS IN A NON-CHRISTIAN SOCIETY --
1. Involvement: Is it our concern? -- The evangelical heritage of social concern -- The church and politics -- The biblical basis for social concern: God-man-Christ-salvation-the church -- Practical action --
2. Complexity: can we think straight? -- A Christian mind -- The reality of God -- The paradox of man -- The future of society --
3. Pluralism: should we impose our views? -- Imposition -- Laissez-faire -- Persuasion -- Examples of persuasion by Argument -- Political systems --
4. Alienation: have we any influence?-- Salt and light -- Prayer and evangelism -- Witness and protest -- Example and groups --
PART 2. GLOBAL ISSUES --
5. The nuclear threat -- Contemporary realities -- Theological and moral reflections -- The total Pacifist position -- The "Just war" tradition -- Relative (or nuclear) Pacifism -- Questions and qualifications -- Christian peace-making --
6. Our human environment -- Reasons for concern -- The biblical perspective -- The conservation debate -- Contemporary awareness --
7. North-South economic inequality -- The brandt commission documents -- The principle of unity -- The principle of equality -- Personal and economic deductions --
8. Human rights -- Human rights violations -- Concern for human rights -- Human dignity -- Human equality -- Human responsibility --
PART 3. SOCIAL ISSUES --
9. Work and unemployment -- Attitudes to work -- Self-fulfilment -- The service of man and God -- The trauma of unemployment -- Solutions and palliatives -- The role of the church -- A more radical view --
10. Industrial relations -- The biblical principles of mutuality -- Abolish discrimination -- Increase participation -- Emphasize co-operation --
11. The multi-racial dream -- Slavery and the American racial problem -- German anti-semitism and south African apartheid -- Change in south Africa -- The British record -- Biblical foundations for multi-racialism --
12. Poverty, wealth and simplicity -- Three approaches to poverty -- Who are the poor? the Paradox of poverty -- Good news for the poor -- Three options for rich Christians --
PART 4. SEXUAL ISSUES --
13. Women, men and God -- The rise of feminism -- Equality -- Complementarity -- Responsibility -- Ministry --
14. Marriage and divorce -- Changing attitudes -- Old Testament teaching -- The teaching of Jesus -- The teaching of Paul -- The covenant principle -- Personal and pastoral realities --
15. The abortion dilemma -- The revolution in public attitudes -- The key issue -- The biblical basis -- A contemporary Christian debate -- Human fertilization -- Implications and conclusions --
16. Homosexual partnerships? -- The context for discussion -- The biblical prohibitions -- Sex and marriage in the Bible -- Contemporary arguments considered -- The AIDS epidemic -- Faith, hope and love --
CONCLUSION --
17. A call for Christian leadership -- Vision -- Industry -- Perseverance -- Service -- Discipline --