The Weekly is a highlight of the work the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is doing to strengthen you and our churches for God’s glory.

Explainer: The conundrum in the UK over no-deal Brexit

Over the past week, internal conflicts over Brexit have pushed the British government to the brink of a constitutional crisis. Here is what you should know to make sense of the issue, and to understand why it matters for Christians across the globe.

What is Brexit?

Brexit is merely the shorthand abbreviation for “British exit,” which refers to the UK leaving the European Union (EU).

British, Irish, and Commonwealth citizens voted in June 2016 on the question “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” The referendum resulted in 51.9% of votes being in favor of leaving the EU. Although the referendum wasn’t legally binding, the government at the time agreed to abide by the desire of the people. Two subsequent elections have also given the government a mandate to proceed with the disentanglement from the EU.

This Week at the ERLC

• Jason Thacker talks to Vanderbilt Synesis: A Faith & Reason Journal about Artificial Intelligence. 

• Russell Moore was in Iowa speaking at Dordt University, an event on adoption, and a breakfast with local pastors. 
   
• Elizabeth Graham and Chelsea Patterson Sobolik traveled with a group of Christian women to El Paso and Juarez this week. They met with migrants in both the United States and Mexico to learn more about the issues at the Southern Border first-hand.
   
• Dan Darling is on the Baptist Messenger podcast talking about issues related to the upcoming Caring Well Conference.

What You Need to Know

• Do you struggle to find significance in your work? The daily 9-to-5 rhythm of work can feel more like a grind than a calling. But Dan Darling reminds us of five reasons why your work matters to God. Read his article here. 

The gospel changes the way we see our work. It adds a newfound significance. It elevates us from hum drum, cynical employees to servants of the King. Every day may not feel like heaven, but every day at the job matters in heaven.

• Do you know someone who could be a good fit for the 2020 ERLC Leadership Council? Phillip Bethancourt, the executive vice president of the ERLC, would like to hear from you. Complete the recommendation form by Oct. 1 to recommend them for consideration. Find out more here. 

The ERLC Leadership Council is a collection of SBC pastors and leaders who receive intentional investment from the ERLC team. During their annual term, these council members enjoy equipping through conference calls and events, while providing occasional content for ERLC.com.

• What does the Bible say about poverty? Marissa Postell helps us think through the Scripture’s teaching and emphasizes our call to love, learn from, and esteem the dignity of the poor. Read her article here. 

When we hear the word “poverty,” we don’t often think of specific people and needs. It causes us to consider a broad issue while being able to safely ignore all of the individuals who are personally affected by it. When Scripture references “the poor,” on the other hand, it encourages us to see people as people. The poor are people with faces and names and stories. The poor are people with fears and doubts and questions. The poor are every bit as human as anyone else.

News From Capitol Hill

As the summer wraps up with the end of August recess, the ERLC interns joined Jeff Pickering on Capitol Conversations to reflect on their experiences in Washington. Listen to the episode here: Summer reflections with the 2019 interns.

In this conversation, you’ll hear from the eight young men and women who interned in the ERLC office in D.C. for this summer’s program. They came to the Leland House from across the country and are interested in the intersection of faith, public policy, and cultural engagement.

The group discusses their favorite projects, memorable meetings on Capitol Hill, and laughable moments at the Leland House. This episode was recorded on August 2. Some of the policy issues discussed have further developed, for example, the exemption of U.S. tariffs on Bibles printed in China.

The ERLC internship program exists to prepare students and young professionals with a gospel-centered, kingdom-focused perspective on the issues of everyday life. We offer semester and year-long programs in both of our offices in Nashville and D.C. The ERLC is dedicated to seeing each generation engage the culture with the gospel of Christ. For more information and to apply, visit ERLC.com/internships.

Our fall program is underway but there is still time to join us in Washington as Congress returns next week. If you or a student you know might be interested, apply today.

Featured Podcasts

From The Public Square

Where Did All the Good Men Go in the Abortion Debate?
James Jeffrey, The American Conservative

They have a side of the story too and it isn't nearly as monolithic as it's often made to seem.

MIT developed a course to teach tweens about the ethics of AI
Jenny Anderson, Quartz

It’s around ages 10 to 14 year that kids start to experience higher-level thoughts and deal with complex moral reasoning. And most of them have smartphones loaded with all sorts of AI.

Hunger rates in households with children have reportedly decreased to their lowest estimate on record
Tim O'Donnell, The Week

Food insecurity estimates declined to pre-2008 recession levels in 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture found in a study.

Hong Kong Christians: Bill's removal not enough
Diana Chandler, Baptist Press

The withdrawal of an extradition bill that threatened religious freedom in Hong Kong is not enough to satisfy Christians and others amid protests there, a Christian advocate told Baptist Press Wednesday (Sept. 4).