Spring 2009
We want to give the proper time and care to discussing your legitimate, personal, thoughtful, and serious questions concerning God, faith, and life. So, we’ll be having people over to the Judson House (168 Lloyd Avenue, Providence, RI) for the next several Mondays from 6-8pm for dialogue and discussion over a good, home-cooked meal.
We want this to be an informal, safe, and open environment for you and your friends. All are welcome. There are no pre-requisites academically, spiritually, religiously, athletically...you get the point.
Email jrod@brown.edu by 11:59pm on the Sunday before you’d like to join us so we know how much food to make. Thanks!
Also, let me know if you’d like to help us cook—we’d love your help!
Here’s the schedule:
1. Monday, February 23: Prayer
Can prayer make a physical difference in the real world? Why does God want us to pray? Is there a right and wrong way to pray? Does prayer have the ability to change God’s will?
2. Monday, March 2: Evangelism
Do I have to tell someone else they’re wrong? I don’t like that. How do I do that? Sharing the gospel—how? Why? (i.e., in the Brown culture and context) How can Christians justify, defend, and explain the various stereotypes that our culture imposes on us? What does it mean to evangelize?
3. Monday, March 9: Evidence
What empirical evidence is there? Where is the modern evidence? How do you really know it is true if you have never felt God before?
4. Monday, March 16: Purpose
What is the purpose of life? Why was I put on this earth? What goal or purpose does God want me to fulfill? What is the purpose of the universe? Why did God create it in the first place? If God is so great and all-knowing, why does God need us or even want us? Why, if God knew what would happen, did He create at all? Why wasn’t Jesus the first child born after the Fall? If Jesus says we have to believe in Him, why does He have to be real? Why wouldn’t belief in His reality be everything?
5. Monday, April 6: Sin
Are all sins equal? I would trust God if I wasn’t afraid He would turn me away for my sins. Why doesn’t God stop temptation/Devil? Freewill can be possible without all the evil.
6. Monday, April 13: Homosexuality
What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Biggest problem is hypocrisy. Christians ruin Christianity. So many Christians are cruel and judgmental. How can Christians say they love and treat everyone kindly yet take away people’s rights (e.g., gay marriage)?
7. Monday, April 19: Suffering & the Bible
Why do innocent and good people die? If God is merciful and just, why do people suffer? Why do certain parts of the Bible contradict each other? Why were certain texts included in the Bible and some excluded?
8. Monday, April 27: Random
Why do so many Christians get married so young? Why are Christians hypocrites, judgmental, and/or unscientfc? Whatever else you want to talk about!