Is it true that Jesus said nothing about homosexual practice? Can we be sure that the children of same sex couples suffer no disadvantages from their parents’ lifestyles and ideologies? Is ‘transgender’ mainly about individuals receiving compassion, or an altering of reality for all of us? Should Christians spend time analysing and countering the effects of the sexual revolution, or does this detract from gospel ministry?
These were some of the questions being asked at ‘The New Normal’, a conference organized by Christian Concern which took place at the Emmanuel Centre, London on 11–12 November.
Lesbian parents
The presentations at the event, which drew about 200 delegates, used biblical exegesis, literary criticism, drama, social science and philosophy to address some of these sharply contemporary issues. Central to the programme was Professor Bobby Lopez from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Texas, who gave two keynote addresses, performed in a play entitled Sunlight (on the Friday evening), and who co-edited a book, Jephthah’s Children, which was launched at the conference.
