Home Group Recap #2 - Creation/Gays - Wait, was that the name of the chpt?

  Haha. I know our chapter was titled Theology and not Creation/Gays, but we rabbit-trailed so much last week, I had to look at the Table of Contents to refresh my memory!!

  For me, there were times last week felt a little tense. (I'm sure the little roaming, screaming children, a few tired/getting over colds attendees, and the broad subject matter we covered in a short, yet long, amount of time didn't help.) However, I still enjoyed broaching these difficult topics.

  As a full week has passed since that meeting, my memory is a bit foggy but I will do my best to summarize:

1. Theology 
  The foundational absolute truths according to Campolo regarding Christianity are: Jesus is God, He took all our sins away by dying on the cross, He rose again.

 After this though, we mentioned what other absolute truths there were. Jana was much better at discussing this, but a lot of us felt that there were things left out of the absolutes list that were crucial like - heaven and hell. 

  We were also concerned with the slippery slope this could leave people on if they thought after reading this chapter it was ok to go believe whatever they wanted to because it was their own theology.  However, we think Tony Campolo was merely stating that people have fashioned their theologies based on who and where they are in life (and other external factors), and that there is no one blanket theology. People for years have twisted verses to say what they want. 

  So what did we do with that? Are we to believe what we want? Cut and paste the way Noah said Thomas Jefferson (or some founding father) did? No! We believe that we need to diligently seek truth (by seeking the Truth, Jesus), we constantly sift and compare any beliefs with what the Bible really says, and we take into account the 'theologies' or 'beliefs' of Christians that have gone before us and those that are striving towards the goal with us.

  

2. Homosexuality (If you have not glanced at this chapter, you may want to.)

  The homosexual behavior is sin. Christians need to be able to extend the same grace we'd readily give to the adulterer, or the alcoholic/drug addict, the liar, or any other sinner. 

 Verses regarding this behavior have been twisted by some who say it isn't a sin if its between two monogamous people as it's not directly mentioned. Admittedly, there are some Bible verses that point towards specific acts of same sex teacher/pupil rape/molestation as the sin, however, we (as well as Campolo) acknowledge and know that the Bible says that the homosexual behavior is wrong.

3. Creation

  We discussed whether or not Creation (by evolution or design) was a salvation issue. ie Just because someone believed in evolution doesn't mean they don't know Jesus. 

  A debate regarding a literal 7 days account vs a possible poetic/allegoric account ensued but was cut short. You may continue it here if you like!

That's all folks!