Next Meeting May 18th

Next Friday May 18^th we will have our monthly theological group discussion in the PIU library at Noon. You are welcome to bring a lunch and we will provide coffee. This month’s subject is the issue of how we respond/evangelize to a world that does not hold the Bible in high esteem. I have provided below links to some videos made by atheists (rough language – be warned) and then links to Christian blogs that advocate very different responses to the new atheism/homosexual marriage etc. These are very applicable to Guam. 

Atheist Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ao0k9qDsOvs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhG-tkQ_Q2w&feature=player_embedded

http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/19343  (a response from Breakpoint)

Two different views from Christian blogs on the latest vote on homosexual marriage in North Carolina with different opinions on how the church should respond….

http://www.albertmohler.com/2012/05/03/bigotry-on-the-ballot-no-dishonesty-in-the-editorial/

http://rachelheldevans.com/win-culture-war-lose-generation-amendment-one-north-carolina

http://www.outofur.com/archives/2012/05/andy_stanley_al.html

Hope to see you Friday the 18^th.

Next Meeting April 20th

The next meeting of the Theological Discussion group will be at Noon April 20th in the library at PIU. I heard that the discussion on the relationship between local and universal church discussion last month went very well, but was not finished. Therefore this month we will continue the discussion and talk about the role of church leadership in both the local and wider church. Hope to see everyone there!

Next Meeting March 16, 2012

The next meeting of the Guam Theological Discussion Group will be Friday, March 16th at the Pacific Islands University library. The discussion will be led by PIU professor Michael Owen. The main issue for discussion will be the nature of the church and how that nature works out practically in cooperation between churches. Some issues within this larger issue of discussion would be "is the 'church on Guam' just the sum of the 'local churches of Guam' or is it more?" "Should churches work together?" "If churches cooperate what is the goal or mission of that cooperation?" "If churches should cooperate what does that look like practically?"  "How do parachurch organizations fit into this?" 


Come, drink some coffee with us and join the discussion. 

Next Meeting February 17

The next meeting of the Guam Theological Discussion Group will be at Noon, February 17th in the PIU library. The main subject will be a continuation of the subject of "law" that we discussed last month. This time we will be focusing on "law" as opposed to the Law of Moses. We will be looking at the balance between law and grace, the relationship of rules to holiness, and growth in grace and the role of the authority of the church as we try to disciple our people toward holiness. Some related issues could be discipleship methodologies, church discipline, etc. Come join us for some stimulating discussion that will give you some things to think about and hopefully, help you become a better minister.

Next Meeting: January 20, 2012

Our next meeting will be at Noon on January 20 in the PIU library. As requested our subject will be the relationship between the believer and the law. Below I am pasting in a discussion of the OT law that I use in my classes to get discussion started. I also include a link that demonstrates some of the practical implications of this discussion. This link has already generated a pretty good discussion on my Facebook page. 

Questions about the Law of Moses

1.       What is the relationship between the Mosaic and Abrahamic Covenant?

a.       The Mosaic covenant explained how Israel was to maximize the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant.

b.      It tells how to enter the Abrahamic blessings

c.       It came alongside it.

2.       Is the Mosaic covenant the same as the 10 commandments?

a.       The 10 commandments are only part of the Mosaic covenant.

b.      The Mosaic covenant also contains religious and civil laws

3.       Are Christians required to keep the Mosaic Law?

a.       No. It was given to the nation of Israel. Exodus 19.3

b.      The law was not to be imposed on Gentiles within the church Acts 15.23-29

4.       What is the Christian’s relationship to the Mosaic Law?

a.       They are not under the Law of Moses Romans 6.14-15  

5.       Are Christians under any Law?

a.       Yes, the law of Christ. Galatians 6.2

b.      In the New Testament nine of the ten commandments are repeated as applying to Christians (without penalties)

c.       The sermon on the mount shows that the Law of Christ requires internalization of the law with the goal of loving God and fellow human beings     

6.       What is the value of the Mosaic Law today?

a.       It reveals God’s character and standards.

b.      It reveals the sinful character of man.

c.       It shows the need for grace.

7.       Were Israelites saved by keeping the law?

a.       Abraham was saved by faith. Genesis 15.6

b.      All Old Testament era believers were saved by the sacrifice of Christ’s death. Romans 15.6

c. The sacrificial system was a clear indication that law-keeping could not provide salvation.

Thursday September 15th Meeting

Here is a copy of the email I sent out to everyone who signed up on the paper at the first meeting...

Thank you for coming last Friday to the discussion. I hoped you enjoyed it. The next one will be on October 21 at Noon in the PIU library and will include a discussion with Dr. Kent Edwards who will be the main speaker for our preaching conference on the 20-22^nd. Bring your bag lunch and you can eat in the library! You will have the opportunity to discuss preaching with him in a smaller group setting. I have had only one suggestion for a group name – “shoptalk.” Below are some of the websites we talked about at last week’s meeting…

Here is Jim Sawyer’s ministry web site: http://www.sacredsaga.org/

This is the web site of Dr Baxter Kruger who he referred to several times in the discussion: http://perichoresis.org/ and the site for the books he talked about: http://www.perichoresis.org/store.php

Just click on comment to post a question, comment etc. If you have something longer you can email it to me and I will post it directly on to the site.

Guam Theological Discussion Group Organization Meeting

This first post in this blog is to announce the formation of the Guam Theological Discussion Group (we can change the name at the first meeting!). We will meet Thursday afternoon, September 15th  at 2.00 PM in the library at Pacific Islands University. The first order of business will be organizational: 1) When will we meet? 2) Where will we meet? 3)What will be the format of the meetings? Second part of the meeting will be a discussion led by Dr. Jim Sawyer on why the doctrine of the Trinity is critical to practical Christian ministry. I hope to see you there!