On this episode of ‘Horizon 2020’ Mark Spencer talks with Dr Stephen Chavura, currently lecturer in history at Campion College, having previously lectured in political philosophy at Macquarie University.  Stephen also serves on the faculty of the Lachlan Macquarie Instituteincluding teaching in the GPS programaiming at preparing young people for university.

Whether Christians should be involved in politics and the public square is discussed, with Stephen positing that this is a key avenue for Christians to be able to ‘love thy neighbour’.  Sketching the history of the contribution of Christians to society and the changing nature of what society considers ‘the good life’ to be, Stephen argues for the continued involvement of Christian in broader social debates. Challenging stereotypes of Christians as only interested in sexual ethics and morality, Stephen demonstrates how to broach issues of religious freedom, as part of a broader range of freedoms, at your next backyard barbeque.

In preparing students for life beyond school, Stephen highlights the importance of acknowledging the worldview being taught in all schools and preparing graduates to engage with alternative worldviews.

Stephen refers briefing in the podcast to two books charting the history of Evangelical Christians in Australia, The Fountain of Public Prosperity Evangelical Christians in Australian History 1740–1914 and Attending to the National Soul Evangelical Christians in Australian History, 1914-2014both published by Monash University Publishing.