Creative Space for Wanderers
unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity…and Why It Matters David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons Hope Fellowship is using this book for it’s Connection Groups to discuss scriptural truths that provide a stronger foundation in Christ and His Word. It’s an interesting study that provides insight into what our society really thinks about Christians. Table …
Introduction Mark Mittelberg begins this chapter with a great story of Ronald Reagan’s debate with Walter Mondale, the turning of the tide in Reagan’s campaign was the seminal response to the question about his age (73 at the time). His response: Not at all, and I want you to know that also I will not …
Continue reading “Ten Questions: Conclusion – The questions our friends need us to ask them”
Full Question: Why should I think that heaven really exists–and that God sends people to hell? Summary The question of whether or not there is an afterlife is extremely important; Christians need to be able to articulate their confidence to questioning unbelievers. There is nearly universal belief in the afterlife. Jesus made it clear that heaven …
Continue reading “Ten Questions: #10 – Are Heaven and Hell real?”
Full questions: #8. How can I trust in Christianity when so many Christians are hypocrites? #9. Why are Christians to judgmental toward everyone who doesn’t agree with them? Summary Mittelberg begins by relating how an actor’s job is to portray someone based on a script and story–it’s their job. Our lives should reflect who we …
Continue reading “Ten Questions: #8 and #9 – Christian Hypocrites Are Often Judgmental”
Complete question: Why do you condemn homosexuality when it’s clear that God made gays and that he loves all people the same? Summary The Story of Jesus’ interactions with the Samaritan woman () provides a helpful model for our consideration Jesus modeled the need to affirm God’s love toward all people–including men and women ensnared in …
Continue reading “Ten Questions: #7 – Why do you condemn homosexuality?”
Full question: Why is abortion such a line in the sand for Christians–why can’t I be left alone to make my own choices for my own body? Summary The opening story about a child found in a box on the road should cause us to give unborn children the benefit of the doubt and the right to …
Continue reading “Ten Questions: #6 – Why is abortion such an Issue?”
Summary Many times when people ask this question, they are in the midst of great suffering. Jesus himself warned us we would all face trials and suffering; it’s important to help our friends see this truth with love. As Christians, we believe in three seemingly incompatible truths — God is good, God is great, and …
Summary Many people believe Jesus was given a “divine promotion” after his crucifixion that he never claimed for himself. Contrary to that belief, the dramatic explosion of devotion to Jesus points back to his teachings as the source. The New Testament record affirms that Jesus was believed to be the Messiah and that Jesus’ followers …
Summary The opening story in this chapter depicts what appears to be a conflicting account of a tragic accident. This is ultimately resolved to show how both parts of the story were correct and sets the stage for improving our understanding of how the gospel accounts are told from different perspectives and how this actually …
Summary From Dawkins we read, “Today the theory of evolution is about as much open to doubt as the theory that the earth goes around the sun” (The Selfish Gene, 1976) and “It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid …
Continue reading “Ten Questions: #2 – Didn’t Evolution put God out of a job?”