Curious About Church

This evening, the boys endeavored to deepen their understanding of a favourite Brentwood passage, Galatians chapter 5.  In this passage Paul lists the desires of the flesh as contrasted with the fruits of the Spirit.  As Kayden noted during the meeting this is a true form of dissonance resolving to consonce, leaving us better for what we have heard.  Kayden’s initial question for this session was “tell us more about the differences between the two lists that Paul outlines in Galatians at the end of chapter five?”

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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Our conversation this week took us to a place of discussing what it means to be free in Christ and what constitutes Christian, rather than worldly, freedom.  Kayden’s initial provocation for this week’s episode is “what kind of freedom is Paul advocating?” 

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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One of the core theological disputes at the heart of the Christian faith is over how one understands the Gospel, Scripture and the message and mission of the church.  As such, Kayden’s question this week was “should we look at Christianity as an alternative lifestyle rather than a strict worldview?” Although Kayden was not present to discuss this question with Brian and Ben, it still proved to be a deep and fruitful conversation lead by the Spirit. 

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

This week,  Ben and Brian had the opportunity to talk one on one due to Kayden’s absence during a holiday with his family.  Ben and Brian discussed the nature of internal and external conflict with the Christian churches and how one can show up faithfully in the midst of tension and disagreement. 

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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We are delighted to have with us today, the  Reverend Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, one of Canada's leading indigenous theologians and activists.  In light of the recent tensions surrounding the ongoing investigations into the residential school system and the emergent socio-political tension, we decided to ask Carmen about how she perceives the church can function in the service of truth and reconciliation. Our question was “what’s most important in your opinion, for the church to be doing in the service of Truth and Reconciliation?” 

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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As we continue to delve into the basics and not-so-basics of the Christian faith, Kaydens question for this week allowed us to focus in on a term that is often used, but not often explained. His question was “what is a blessing and what should we do with them?” 

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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Kayden’s question for our discussion this week focused on “How do we talk about Christianity without being abrasive?”  A question that is relevant to many young, new or continuing Christians in the wake of the re-ignited residential school question in Canada and the aftermath of other abuses that have been perpetrated by the global church.  Brian’s answer was beautifully frank and honest and of the highest relevance to the North American church in an increasingly secular society. 

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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Throughout the course of Paul's letter to the Galatians, there exists a tension between a Jewish covenantal understanding of the newly formed church, one governed by old laws, traditions and rite, and the freedom of the risen Christ that requires no pre or co-requisite other than faith in Christ.  Helping us to understand Kayden’s question this week is the Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart, a leading missiologist and evangelist for the PCC and a teacher at the Vancouver School of Theology and dean of St. Andrew’s Hall.  Kayden’s question to the group was “How can we live into the freedom of Christ motivated by grace rather than law?”

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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Currently, the topic of conflict within the history of the Canadian churches, has been especially relevant due to the ongoing discoveries surrounding the unmarked graves of indigenous children across Canada.  As a result there has been growing calls for renewed and extended efforts to be made towards the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commision from social activists, the general public, multi-level governments, indigenous and church leaders alike.  Recent days have also seen a string of retaliatory church burnings that have been caused by disenfranchised groups across the country, as a result of the discoveries of the past and ongoing mixed-messaging from the Canadian Catholic Church and the Vatican.  In light of this tense social crisis, many from within and outside have commented on the churches past and current hypocrisy, thus provoking our question “Since this passage focuses upon Peter's hypocrisy, how does the church handle hypocrisy?"

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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Kayden’s question this week focused on the figure of Paul, the writer of the letter to the Galatians. This week we discussed "What is Paul's gospel? And how can we collaborate and align with it?"  Brian’s answer proved provoking, focusing on the recently discovered mass grave of the 215 children found in a Kamloops BC residential school. 

If you would like to ask Brian Fraser a question as part of our weekly discussion, or leave us a comment, feedback or even a hello, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

#curiousaboutchurch #curiousaboutchurchseasonthree #brentwoodpc # #pcc #canadianpresbyteriantheology #reformedchristianity #reformedandalwaysreforming #mainlineprotestant #galatians #vancouverbc #jazzcommunity #jazzworship #brentwoodpcc