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.  Here are some questions for discussion:

• What is the image of God?
• What does "dominion" mean, properly speaking?
• What did Adam get wrong?
• How should we think about power?
• Why was it not good for man to be alone?

I mention the Green Arc model.  You can find a visual of this model here. 

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.  Here are some questions for discussion:

• How to be made in the image of God, but not be God, and not fail?
• What does it take for eternal contentment?

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 fifth chapter--Creation.  Here are some questions for discussion:

• Why creation and not evolution?
• Can we settle the question of origins?
• Where do we start the conversation to set a tone of collaboration, rather than combativeness?
• Is evolution the only, or even the best, explanation?
• Can we survive a world that assumes evolution?

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 fourth chapter–God.  Here are some questions for discussion:

• Does God have control, or is He being controlled?
• Can a god be the workmanship of a person?
• Can you kill God?
• What about the problem of evil--if there is a god, why is there suffering?
• How do we handle objections to God in our culture?

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 fourth chapter–God.  Here are some questions for discussion:

• Why is the way to be saved narrow?  
• What is problematic about the above question?
• What else in life is narrow?
• What about injustices?

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 consider how to have a conversation based on the fourth chapter--God.  Here are some questions for discussion:

• If there is no god, what is god?
• If there is a living, sigular god, then how shall we proceed?
• What is the relationship of God to us and everyday life?
• What is God's will and design for relationship with us?

In this episode, I mention another talk about atheism.  If you'd like to listen to that, find the link here.

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 consider how to have a conversation based on the third chapter on Law and Gospel.  Here are some questions for discussion:

• Why can't we import the kingdom of God into the world of human invention?
• What happens when we put the Gospel into our lives such as we are, in a Red Pyramid world?
• How does Law and Gospel work?  Why does it fail in a Red Pyramid world?
• What should our perspective be when we read the Law?
• Is the news good if it still depends on me?
• What is essential in understanding the Gospel?
• What day is the Sabbath?

In this episode I mention worldviews.  You can learn more about these by listening here.  

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through questions inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller.  Chapter two of this book discusses revelation.   The discussion about this topic began in the previous episode.  This episode considers how we know things, and the special revelation from the Bible.  What are some challenges the Bible has endured?  What about other religious texts?

As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through questions inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller.  Chapter two of this book discusses revelation.  What is revelation?  What are different ways of knowing things?  What serves as a constant, perpetual witness to God?  This episode discusses these questions, and how to lead productive conversations about them.

As the student questions series continues, I'm talking through questions inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller.  Chapter one of this book is entitled, “The Task of Theology.”  Today's episode continues the same topic as our last episode--the task of theology.   Discussions I have with my students based on this chapter include:

• Consider the validity of this statement: "Deism is cruelty."  What's the difference between theism and deism?  Does it matter?
• What happens when I die?  How do I know?
• What about while I live?  Does religion only pay off when I die?
• Hasn't Christianity done a lot of harm throughout history?
• Why is theology so controversial?

I talk through how we can get students thinking deeply about these topics, sympathizing with where they are coming from, and lead them to truth.