Controversial Teaching Series
The first two Sundays in July (5th and 12th) we will be doing a mini-series called Controversial and we need your help.
The plan is that each week we will tackle a controversial topic, Ben will teach on it and then we will go open mic for questions on the topic.
Here’s where you come in. Help us determine what 2 controversial topics to focus on.
Comment here with your ideas and/or affirmation of other peoples. Think Biblical, political, ethical… if there’s a controversy and you think it should be addressed from the perspective of God’s word, bring it out.
Let the discussion begin…
theAlley church said,
June 10, 2009 at 2:31 pm
To get the ball rolling…
Two that we’ve been thinking about are Homosexual Marriage and Abortion.
Jude said,
June 10, 2009 at 2:33 pm
How about something like the role of women in the church?
michelle said,
June 11, 2009 at 9:32 am
*christianity vs islam. i think that is a HUGE controversial issue. radical islam doesnt want to live peacefully with christians, its convert or die. but then you see extreme christians who are willing to kill abortion drs, so are they any different? does religion always breed extremists? can the two religions ever live in harmony together-since both feel strongly they are the one and only path?
*my other controversial issue is how someone who says they follow Christ, can condone assisted suicide and abortion rights. i know many catholics that believe in pro-choice, which is against their church teachings. how do you remain a catholic? why would you? this also applies to some ‘christians’ i know. how do you persuade someone that both are a practice in eugenics? how do you convince them that there is honor in death, just like life? how do you put a value on life, or the quality of?
Tim said,
June 11, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I like all of those ideas.
I am personally interested in hearing a biblical discussion of abortion. When we as Christians speak about abortion, it conversation inevitably turns into a terminology discussion, where we talk about zygotes instead of babies. I think it’s good to know the terminology and understand what the Bible says on the topic. Another interesting (and possibly related) issue would be stem cell research.
curt said,
June 11, 2009 at 11:24 pm
If our God is a loving God . And God is omnipotent why is there pain?
Tabitha said,
June 12, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I think one of the biggest struggles in sharing our faith is the hypocrisy/Jesus is the only way and the world calling for open-mindedness
Jon said,
June 14, 2009 at 1:18 pm
How about some of these?
1. divorce and re-marriage
2. once saved, always saved?
3. baptism by immersion
4. pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-tribulation rapture
5. amillenialism
6. eternal damnation in hell? or just for a period of time?
7. soul sleep
8. purgatory
9. faith without works is dead … what does that mean?
10. I John 5:18 — whoever is born of God does not sin. Does that mean Christians never sin?
11. Should Brett Favre become a Viking?
Jenny said,
June 14, 2009 at 1:27 pm
All above are good topics….very funny Jon.
Personally, I would like to hear Ben preach on homosexuality and stem cell research.
Jenny said,
June 14, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Currently, there is movement within the supreme court, laws are being changed and countless celebrities are all talking and expressing their opinions on the issues of homosexuality and stem cell research. You can’t watch the news without the media discussing these topics. My feeling is that main stream media takes a very liberal view of these issues. Eventually, my children will also be exposed to how the main stream media presents these topics. When a person speak out against homosexuality and stem cell research, they are portrayed as a close minded, judgemental and non tolerant individual…not as someone who is following the Biblical teachings of God. While I have done research on my own, I would appreciate a sermon that would look at what God’s word says about these topics and equips me as a Christ follower to more confidently express my beliefs.
Boaz said,
June 14, 2009 at 6:41 pm
closed communion and whether it is required by scripture or supported by early church practice
Tim said,
June 14, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Hi Curt –
I was surfing the WLC website and I found a recorded bible study that deals with the issue of God and suffering. You might want to check it out! I listened to little bit of it and it was pretty good. Just a thought as we consider potential topics.
http://www.woodburylutheran.org/media/
Tim
Geri said,
June 15, 2009 at 7:00 am
I would like to know why children have to suffer.
Amanda said,
June 15, 2009 at 12:51 pm
So many good suggestions…some that call my attention:
1. Stem cell research
2. Aren’t we all one “body of Christ?” Why so many different Christian denominations? (e.g. Lutheran vs Baptist vs Methodist). How do we as a church and as individuals navigate between? What’s worth arguing about?
2. Baptism – why the differences amongst Christians (infant vs adult) What about the concept of an individual needing to choose to be baptized? Why the different methods (pouring, immersion)? Does it matter? What if you are never baptized?
Kim said,
June 16, 2009 at 6:23 am
I would like to know, once saved always saved?
1. Do you need to study the bible?
2. Predestination
3. Changing Christianity in our world culture:
i.e. Is walking a labyrinth okay? Is there such a thing as
Christian yoga? Is there really a heaven and a hell? Is the
bible really the word of God?
4. Are there mysteries of God to believers?
5. Do I need to say a prayer to be saved?
6. How do I really know if I’m saved?
7. Does there have to be a conversion moment in my life in order to be converted?
Dave said,
June 17, 2009 at 11:56 am
Good questions, all. Here’s mine:
Why is / was theAlley so concerned about becoming part of the LCMS? Seems like the early Christian in Acts did not need a denomination to be a church.
Denominations actually seem a little anti-biblical to me. They impose extra teachings, required interpretations, rituals, etc. over and above the Bible. Which implies that the Bible is not complete — or needs man’s wisdom added on top if it.
Why not just be unaffiliated, and proudly proclaim that God’s Word — the Bible — is the only, and complete, authority that we seek to follow.
Now, will members of the church be encouraged to become Members of the Church?
Tina said,
June 17, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I’ve been going round wondering whether I really want to hear anything more about homosexuality and marriage. Maybe the mainstream media has over run my brain?
It is controversial for sure. I remember going to a leadership conference a few years back and hearing a minnesota politician to remain nameless speak about the idea that passing laws so that homosexual marriage is legal eventually causes major problems further down the line in the justice system.
Stem cell research might be interesting. I’m not sure I know enough about what’s causing the controversy.
Maybe for a different time you might want to consider talking about “the Grey Zone” – you know those “little” things that are somewhat difficult to validate with the world vs. just you and God… like living together outside of marriage or sex outside of marriage. What’s a lie? Hmmm…psychics, tarot cards – fun parlor games or occult? I also resonate with a lot of what Kim’s asking – do you need to do anything to be saved? Prayer, just a recognition – can anything be enough?
Mary said,
June 18, 2009 at 9:17 am
Roughly 3000 lives every day are lost through abortion in the US. Why isn’t the Church up in arms? Why do we just shrug our shoulders? What blinds us? If these were adults… Why are the weakest ignored? This includes elderly, disabled and children… Where is our outrage?
Craig said,
June 18, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
When God asked Cain where Able was after Cain had murdered him, he denied knowing where he was, adding, “Am I my brother’s keeper.”
Some say that this statement is representative of people’s unwillingness to take responsibility for the welfare of others.
Does taking responsibility mean passing laws to force our values on others, or is it enough to lead by example, being willing to defend our Christian values to others?
This is “big picture” stuff that involves abortion, homosexuality, stem cell research, etc.
BTW — I like Kim, Tina and John’s contributions above.
michelle said,
June 19, 2009 at 6:03 am
OH—I LIKE tinas idea of the “grey” zone. that would be a VERY interesting sermon….
i tend to be a black and white person, so an enlightenment into the justification and rationalization people do within themselves to be able to ‘live’ in those shades of grey would be compelling.
theAlley church said,
June 19, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Great comments all! Wanted to let you know that we just shifted the schedule. We’ll be doing this series during the second half of July instead of the first.
Our small group said,
June 22, 2009 at 10:00 pm
At our last small group we tossed around some really challenging stuff that we’d like you to consider for the controversial series. If we are separated in death by believers and non-believers, when we get to heaven, will we know our family and friends did not make it. There is supposed to be no more tears- so we can’t grieve their not being there??? And could you talk about “purgatory” or the waiting period between spiritual rising and the final judgement day. Where do we spend that time?? Last, but not least, what about Israel? From Romans 11:25??
Bob said,
June 24, 2009 at 11:55 am
1) Modern Israel and it’s biblical relevance
2) End Times
Anonymous said,
June 26, 2009 at 6:58 pm
So how are some of these considered controversial?
Dana said,
July 7, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Some great ideas…
Personally, I would love to hear a sermon on abortion. I’ve listened to Kim Jeffries’ testimony, which was very moving, but haven’t heard a sermon series on it. It takes so much courage to tackle a tough subject like that, but Ben does a great job with tough subjects. I remember the “divorce” sermon at WLC – Genesis service. Parts were tough to hear, especially when you apply them to specific situations that you have known friends/family to be in, but very biblical. Most importantly, I remember the part about “hate the sin, love the sinner”, which I think is really important to remember. It ties in with the MORALISM vs. REDEMPTION piece we just recently covered, God’s GRACE, and the sermon last Sunday when Ben talked about how easy it is to point our finger at others, and point out their shortcomings, but fail to look at or “mask” our own. As I listened, it reminded me about what my Dad always says, “remember if you point your finger at someone, their are 3 pointing back at you”… my Dad’s not a pastor, but that’s some good advice to remember! For every sin or shortcoming we notice about someone else, we’ve got at least 3 of our own we should probably address first!
I too like the “grey zone” idea of Tina’s… with a little twist… how does God view sins? does he “rate” them? Is one worse than the other in God’s eyes? To Him, is having an abortion the same as having sex outside of marraige? We are all sinners, and I think that we have a little “hierarchy” of our own… for example, I view murdering someone as a “bigger” sin than telling a lie of omission… but what does God see? He can see all of our “actions” , but knows our thoughts too. It’s important to be BOLD and hold true to our Christian Values, but sometimes difficult to do it publicly knowing we are sinners, and fall very short of what he has asked us to be.
P.S. Dave, thanks for the message June 28th.. It’s the first time I’ve heard someone use my confirmation verse in a sermon … “See I will not forget you – I have engraved you into the palm of my hand”. I chose it way back in 8th grade… LOVE that verse!
P.P.S. Jon, NO and NO to your #11. (no to a sermon series on Brett Farve, and No to him becoming a Viking!