Hugh D. Brown Lectures Report

By Henry Capper

How do you respond when the culturally sensitive subject is raised? The likelihood is that we have all been in a situation where the taboo topic arises and we start to feel the tension build. In those moments, as Christians, we sense the urge to respond. We want to share truth. Yet we want to speak with grace. On Thursday 22nd January, it was a real joy to have Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin provide two lectures as part of the annual Hugh D. Brown lectures. McLaughlin spoke on the title: Apologetics for a Confused Age. Through the course of her informative lectures she addressed three modern mantras; Black Lives Matter, Love is Love and Transgender Women are Women. These cultural maxims have largely been imbibed by the western world and form what McLaughlin coins as the ‘Secular Creed’.

Cultural Analysis

McLaughlin acutely dissected these widely held notions and revealed their limitations and instability. Though, uniquely she pointed out their profoundly biblical roots. An example of this is how the ‘Black Lives Matter’ mantra only makes sense in a worldview where human beings are viewed as equal and with dignity. Historically, this notion would have been deemed as nonsensical to a Greco-Roman mind. Indeed, the equality of every human logically cannot derive from science or reason but finds its origin in the Judeo-Christian doctrine of the intrinsic value and worth of every human.

Gospel Hope

Though, McLaughlin was keen to move from cultural analysis to gospel hope. Time and time again the unique hope of the Christian faith was uplifted. Instead of cowering in the corner of social settings, Christians should be enthused and driven to share the better story that we have to offer in the light of the plethora of destabilising narratives and cultural doctrines. Therefore, many within the LGBTQ+ community are earnestly searching for identity and belonging but have been left broken and bewildered. The gospel offers a better, deeper and richer story that offers true satisfaction for these innate human needs.

Pastoral Guidance

Far from these lectures remaining in the theoretical realm of our minds, McLaughlin offered winsome and pastoral guidance. On a personal level, I greatly appreciated the pastoral sensitivity of her approach. We were driven to think about individuals rather than impersonal theories. We were encouraged to think about how we would equip our churches in considering these matters. And we were challenged by the prospect of pastorally caring for many weary and broken people who may seek refuge in our local churches. Simply, McLaughlin emboldened us to be men and women who stand for the historic truth of the Bible. Therefore, we must be people of the word. We are those who are influenced and shaped by the grace and truth of God’s word rather than the ever-changing doctrines of our world.

We can all find it difficult to orient ourselves when we come into contact with these contemporary ideas. Our response should not be either end of the pendulum. Instead, we should respond with nuance and seek common ground for where good, edifying and gospel conversations can take place.