According to Epicurus, life is to be measured by pleasure, or at least freedom from pain. Christianity, too, is in favour of pleasure; in fact, pleasure can enhance our faith. But the pursuit of pleasure can lead to dead end roads and even disaster, especially when it's seen as the sum and substance of life.

George Monbiot calls for a new language when talking about the environment. Christians have a rich vocabulary and narrative to bring to the table: creation as God's temple, creation as our neighbour and humans as His image-bearers - not merely Homo Economicus, but also Homo Spiritualis.

Through our paid and unpaid work, both in church and outside, we are partners with God in restoring His creation. Using your gifts diligently and energetically is important spiritually to you, is significant to those you serve and is valued by God.

What are the key issues around the recent controversy over domestic abuse in the church? What have been the responses? A Cry for Justice reviews the debate and provides an annotated bibliography from 2006 to the present.

Regardless of your view about same sex marriage, the moment it is enacted - or at least after the confetti has settled and the party is over - is the moment we see if our religious freedom laws are strong enough to ensure that dissenting voices can continue to dissent publicly without fear of retribution on the other side of the marriage decision.

I hold to what’s called a ‘classical Christian view of marriage’. It might seem logical, then, that I would vote ‘no’ on legalising same-sex marriage in the upcoming plebiscite. However, I believe there are six reasons why a Christian who holds such a view of marriage might vote ‘yes’.

Our Postmodern world has embraced an attitude of mind like the Hall of Mirrors, where the self is constantly reflecting on itself. The obsession with self has been facilitated by social media to levels dangerous to youth mental health, setting up a whole generation for great disappointment.

How you handle the public debate around the marriage plebiscite will affect your relationships, your ability to be heard when you talk about your faith and how people view the church. Above all, it will affect people in the community for whom this is personal. Here are some tips on how to engage in a thoughtful, Christlike manner.

Loving our neighbours downstream means leaving a safe and thriving planet for future generations. This year's theme for National Science Week in schools is ‘Future Earth’, a perfect opportunity for the church to address Intergenerational Equity by re-framing the debate and re-forming the hearts and minds of people.

We as the Church must humbly and regretfully acknowledge that much of the ABC report on domestic violence was fair and true. We must fight against attitudes and beliefs that support the idea that violence can ever be justified and adopt any changes necessary to bring about change.