Volume 16.3

In this issue…

We are always pleased when a topic treated in a previous issue gives rise to further debate. Following Andrew Drury’s article on diversity and equality in the workplace in 16:1, Paul Diamond offers a strong critique of recent cases of corporate discrimination against Christians, arguing that this is poor stewardship and the reverse of God’s blueprint for work.
Australian lawyer Matthew Turnour goes further into FiBQ back issues and builds on three previous articles discussing a Christian perspective on tax. He argues that contrasting views may be reconciled as alternative ways to express care for neighbours and makes a positive proposal about which government tax should be paid to. Following a winter where Australia has re-established its dominance at cricket, it’s a pleasure to include another article by an Australian, Ken Barnes’ perspective on the global financial crisis. He believes capitalism is fundamentally sound but has gone astray because of its failure to heed Christian teaching on the cardinal virtues.
Eve Poole puts forward another view of capitalism in her JustShare lecture. Capitalism is based on seven key ideas which go back to Adam Smith but all are flawed (in her language, ‘deadly sins’) and in need of thorough theological questioning. Christians should use their ‘voting’ power to shift the system in a positive direction. In a similar vein Phil Jump says that questions raised by the recession should not be forgotten.
Kina Robertshaw reflects on a very encouraging interview with entrepreneurial car dealer Mark Mitchell, which prompted her to ask some ‘big questions’. Richard Higginson interviews former Hewlett Packard finance director Paul Valler about his new Grove Booklet on using measurement well. Malcolm Grundy pays tribute to the life of Alan Harpham, and Peter Heslam introduces the new Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative, based in Oxford. David Parish augments his article about St Paul’s Mediterranean travel with some startling statistics about what it must have cost.
Finally, we are sorry to report that pressure of work has caused Fiona Stewart-Darling to retire as editor. We have greatly appreciated Fiona’s lively and thoughtful contribution, and wish her well. We hope to announce her replacement as editor in the next issue..