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?

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 looking at chapter 8 of the book, which discusses the person of Jesus Christ. Every bit of this topic has to do with our life, hope, and future. The big question for discussion in this episode is: What does it mean to be a Christian, and who decides that?

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 working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin.

Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include:

• The human ego since Adam is determined to claim autonomy and control, and attempt to control other things inorganically. Consider that corruption of Adam that corrupts us, and how we see it in the world around us. Contrast that with how God works, and the SELF-control that Jesus showed.
• From images of God, to images of man's invention: consider God's Green Arc versus the Red Pyramid world of human invention. Specifically, think about God's wealth, as opposed to human wealth.
• Give thought to the prevalence and nature of sexual activity today. Why is the divorce rate so high?
• Are you a better God than God?
• What was the nature of the first sin?

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 working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin.

Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include:

• Consider the Bible passages in Matthew 7; Luke 6; and Romans 2 and 3.
• The corruption of Adam inverts and reverses the image of God. What is the image of God, especially in terms of relationship? How does Adam's fall invert God's image? How do we see Jesus, especially in the Gospel of John, setting things right?
• Consider wealth and riches in life that have to do with God's creation (nature, family, physiology). Compare that with human "riches".
• What is the consequence for abandoning essence in favor of extension?

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 working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin.

Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include:

• Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen at all?
• How can you argue something is bad in an atheistic world?
• Why do good things happen to bad people?
• Adam's failure is ... ?
• What is the difference between people who advocate things versus those who report the consequences of those actions?
• Why aren't the consequences of contradicting human design 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 continue working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin.

Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include:

• Why not live according to design?
• Try an exercise: Create a list of things we'd like God not to forbid, and talk about reasons why
• What happens when a trailing effect takes over as a purpose and primary cause?

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 working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin.

Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include:

• Consider this thought: It was wreckless and unforgiveable of God to create humanity that could sin. What do we think about that? How do we respond as Christians?
• Is God failing, with the decline of Christianity?

We work through how we can have a helpful discussion about this "problem of evil" question that many people raise.

As the student questions series continues, I'm talking through ideas 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 consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter–Humanity.

Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include:

• How could Jesus be born and not have a fallen human nature?
• What inequalities has feminism created, and for whom?
• What became of women who wanted to stay home when others left?
• What became of men leaving home to play the industrialist game?
• Why should there be equality in the world?
• As members of God's kingdom, how do we think about equality differently?
• Are we masters or stewards?

As the student questions series continues, I'm talking through ideas 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 consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter–Humanity.

Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include:

• What does it mean to be male? What if being male means to be twice as effected by injustices as anyone else? What else is intregal to being male?
• What if God knew and makes good of evil, always in equal proportions?
• What should we think of men who disadvantage themselves in the extreme for the sake of women?
• What is the male counterpart to the imcomparability of child-bearing?

Note, my podcasts on Genesis 1--3 also tie in with this subject matter. You can listen to the following episodes: Genesis 1:1-25; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 1:28--2:7; Genesis 2:7-17; Genesis 2:18; Genesis 2:19-25; Genesis 3:1-5; Genesis 3:6-7; Genesis 3:8-15; and Genesis 3:16-24.

As the student questions series continues, I'm talking through ideas 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 consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter–Humanity. Specifically, we are still asking questions and thinking about discussion around the Genesis 2 passage when God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."

Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include:

• Where was Eve when God told Adam how creation works? • Why didn't God make Eve at the same time He made Adam? • What are the responsibilities of the male? • What are the responsibilities of the female? • How does this compare with people's typical thinking about equality? • What is the essence of the person and the essence of the content of life?