Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Beyond Belief

Religion & Ethics

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

BBC Radio 4 FM

Beyond Belief: The Family

05/10/2015

The Family

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, The Family

Ernie Rea and guests explore the changing nature of the family.

Ernie Rea and guests explore Christianity's response to the changing nature of the family.

This week the Catholic Church began its second Synod on the Family. After a year of reflection and discussion, there has been much speculation as to what might emerge. The model for what constitutes a family has posed difficulties for Christianity down through the centuries. The greatly increased divorce rate, the movement for gay and lesbian equality; the possibility for surrogate children, all pose challenges for churches of all denominations which have longstanding theological ideas about what a family is and what it is for.

Joining Ernie Rea to discuss the family is Dr Clare Watkins, Lecturer in Ministerial Theology at the University of Roehamption in London; the Rt Rev Alan Wilson, Anglican Bishop of Buckingham; and the Rev Dr Paul Middleton, Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Early Christianity at Chester University and a minister of the Church of Scotland.

Producer: Amanda Hancox.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Beyond Belief

The Family

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4