Dr.
McVey stresses the importance of an accurate understanding of the cross, and
how it affects our view of the whole being of God, Father, Son and
Spirit.
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Small group
discussion guide
Discussion groups
might wish to prepare their own topics, request topics from the group, use the
following suggested topics, or mix and match all three.
Suggested topics:
1. In what ways can
a “penal substitution” view of the atonement affect our sense of intimacy with the Father?
2. How does a
Trinitarian perspective of the cross impact our view of the Father?
3. “The prodigal
story is about God’s unconditional love, not the sons’ behavior.” Your views?
4. Steve likened the
church to the older son in the prodigal story. Why do you think he did this?
5. The atonement is
described as “game over.” Why is it so often presented as “your move”?
6. Hell was
presented as of our own making and choosing. Please share your thoughts on this.
7. Please comment on
the concept that all of humanity is
wrapped up in the first and last Adams.
8. What do you think
of Steve’s understanding that God did not
forsake Jesus on the cross?
A few simple
guidelines for leading a discussion: 1) Encourage open discussion. 2) Ask
questions relevant to the topic. 3) Listen attentively. 4) Encourage divergent
views. 5) Encourage everyone to participate. 6) Summarize and paraphrase. 7)
Minimize teaching and preaching.
Program Transcript (click to view):
Mike Morrison: Steve, thanks for being with us.
Steve McVey: Thank you. Glad to be back with you.
MM: Last time we were talking about the sacrifice of Jesus,
and you were commenting that many people view this sacrifice as God punishing
Jesus. And you objected strongly to that notion, and I thought maybe you could
tell us a little bit today about why you think that’s so important that people
have an accurate understanding of what was going on there in the crucifixion of
Jesus.
Perhaps you
know of someone who might like to watch this program. If so, go to the bottom of
the page and click on "Email this page." Fill out the short form, and share the
good news! There's also a way to share the page on Facebook, Twitter,
Buzz, and other websites.
If you'd like to support this ministry, click here.
Small group
discussion guide
Discussion groups
might wish to prepare their own topics, request topics from the group, use the
following suggested topics, or mix and match all three.
Suggested topics:
1. How would you
explain the goodness that comes from “unbelievers”?
2. What did you
think of the statement, “All goodness that there is comes from God”?
3. How do you view God being the origin of our grief and our
participation with God in his grief?
4. Please comment on
Dr. Kruger’s assertion that God meets us in our “darkness.”
5. Tell us some of
the ways that the “light” of Jesus Christ has affected your personal darkness.
6. How did the
concept of God’s forgiveness as an “overflow” of his triune love affect you?
7. “The gospel is
completely about relationship.” Why
do you think this is hard for people to accept this?
8. How does
the word “dance” help us understand relationships and acceptance?
A few simple
guidelines for leading a discussion: 1) Encourage open discussion. 2) Ask
questions relevant to the topic. 3) Listen attentively. 4) Encourage divergent
views. 5) Encourage everyone to participate. 6) Summarize and paraphrase. 7)
Minimize teaching and preaching.
Program Transcript (click to view):
J. Michael Feazell: Thanks for
joining us on another edition of You’re
Included, the unique interview series devoted to practical implications of
Trinitarian theology. Joining us today is C. Baxter Kruger, Founder and
Director of Perichoresis.org. Dr.
Kruger is author of numerous books, including The Great Dance: The Christian Vision Revisited and Across All Worlds: Jesus Inside Our
Darkness. His books and audio lectures are available at thegreatdance.org.
The Gospels are books about Jesus Christ. But these four books also tell us much about God the Father. Even though he is often hidden behind the scenes, he is the most important person in the story. Everything depends on him. Even Jesus' importance is best understood when it is seen in relationship to God — Jesus is the Son of God, the the One sent by God, the Messiah anointed by God. Jesus' importance is received from God; his authority, power and teaching come from God the Father.
Perhaps you
know of someone who might like to watch this program. If so, go to the bottom of
the page and click on "Email this page." Fill out the short form, and share the
good news! There's also a way to share the page on Facebook, Twitter,
Buzz, and other websites.
If you'd like to support this ministry, click here.
Program Transcript (click to view):
Some
Christians believe that God never changes in any way about any thing
whatsoever.
But that is
not true.
When we
humans try to describe God, the only tools we have are our human languages with
words that describe things we already know about. So we have no choice but to
use analogies and comparisons to created things, things we already know about
through our five senses. But we need to remember that God is never exactly like
anything we can compare him to.
Do
you ever feel you’re in a chaotic mess? I’m spending much of my time either
trying to avoid chaos or get out of it. Earlier this year—you know, New Year’s
resolutions—I had the bright idea to reorganize my home office. I know
what, I’ll (meaning my husband) build
some shelves in the office closet to hold the printers and other equipment
taking up my space.
If we want the most accurate picture of God, we don’t need to look any further than Jesus Christ. In Jesus we meet God as God really is. “He who has seen me,” Jesus said, “has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Some groups, such as the Mormons and some in what is called the "word of faith" movement, teach that God is a being who is composed of a physical, corporeal body – a body made of flesh and bone. This idea is not supported by the Bible. Groups that teach this rely on their interpretation of such passages as Genesis 1:26, in which God says "let us make man in our image."
From the various medals, statues and drawings adorning his car, it was obvious that my taxi driver was Hindu. He was driving me to Kuala Lumpur’s airport, through the vast oil palm plantations of Southern Malaysia.
Malaysia is a multicultural nation, and although the principal religion is Islam, it is common to see Hindu and Buddhist temples alongside the mosques in the towns and villages. There is even the occasional Christian church—although Christianity is very much a minority religion in Southeast Asia.
Dog is Love” is a popular bumper sticker in western North Carolina where I live. It seems to be a takeoff of “God is love” from 1 John 4:8.
I am not certain whether the people who sport this bumper sticker are anti-God people, or people who are simply committed dog-lovers, or maybe both. But whatever their feelings might be, I like the bumper sticker for my own reasons.
Some groups, such as the Mormons and some in what is called the "word of faith" movement, teach that God is a being who is composed of a physical, corporeal body – a body made of flesh and bone. This idea is not supported by the Bible. Groups that teach this rely on their interpretation of such passages as Genesis 1:26, in which God says "let us make man in our image."
