As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue looking at chapter 11, which discusses sanctification.

Some questions to get people talking:

• Contentment versus insatiability--where do we see this in the world around us?
• How can we find contentment?
• Consequence versus cause--how does sanctification work?
• Does being a Christian mean that we do different things than others, or that we do the same things differently?

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we turn to chapter 11, which discusses sanctification.

Some questions to get people talking:

• What is the distinction between justification and sanctification?
• What is holy?  What is the reference point for holy and good?  How can you be holy?
• Which is harder: to become content, or to stay content?

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue looking at chapter 10, which discusses conversion.

Some questions to get people talking:

• What does the redeeming work of God look like in the life of an individual?
• What about doctrinal precision?  Think about children.  Think about foreigners (e.g., the thief on the cross).
• If doctrinal precision is required to be saved, whose doctrine will be precise enough?

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we begin chapter 10, which discusses conversion.

Some ideas to get people talking:

• What does it take to convert someone?
• Is conversion ethical?
• What does anthropology have to do with it?  Can human nature be converted?  What about the soul?
• Is salvation dispositional or computational?
• How does salvation work?  How do you know?

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to look at chapter 9 of the book, which deals with justification. 

Some ideas to get people talking:

• Justice demands equity.  What if equity can't be provided?  What about countless injustices?
• What if we prosecute every injustice or inequity?
• When will all thse injustices be remedied?  Consider the life of Jesus.
• Is justice inescapable?  How can that change our attitudes?
• Respond to this statement: The short duration of human life justifies whatever it takes for happiness in this life.

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to look at chapter 9 of the book, which deals with justification. 

Some ideas to get people talking:

• Why doesn’t God destroy the wicked?  How can God demand us to be just if He Himself isn’t just?
• What if justice is inescapable?
• Which is worse: unrighteousness or self-righteousness?

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to look at chapter 9 of the book, which deals with justification. 

Some ideas to get people talking:

• What is necessary to restore creation to the image of God?
• Can you save yourself? 
• Is justification based on some just reality?
• What does a person cry out when he needs others to do what he cannot do for himself?

In this episode, I mention the iceberg model.  You can find a document and podcast episode to explain that model here.  

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we begin a look at chapter 9 of the book, on justification. 

Some ideas to get people talking:

• Our view of the universe needs to change from geocentric to heliocentric.  What would this shift in thinking mean for our perspective and lives?
• Are we out of God's saving work until we are in, or are we in until we get ourselves out?  Which is biblical?
• How does the Bible speak about salvation?  How does nature bear witness?
• What happens when we assert ourselves in God's place?

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue looking at chapter 8 of the book, which discusses the person of Jesus Christ. 

This episode asks:

• Does Jesus really have no mind, words, will of his own, but only the Father's?  If so, what are we to think about free will?
• Did Jesus ever claim to be interested in equality?
• What two crimes was Barabbas charged with?  What does that illustrate?
• What does the Matthew 11 passage about Jesus' yoke being easy and light for us?

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue looking at chapter 8 of the book, which discusses the person of Jesus Christ. 

What if we started a discussion by making the following statement, "Jesus Christ is no different than any other religious leader."  How could this be a productive way to get people talking?  What would be revealed if we compared Jesus to other religious leaders?  What is something about Jesus we don't talk about enough?