#STRask

Questions about whether the story of Jonah supports Arminianism or Calvinism and the role evangelism plays in Reformed doctrine.

• Does the story of Jonah support Arminianism, Calvinism, or both?
• What role does evangelism play in Reformed doctrine?

Questions about whether any form of art brings glory to God regardless of the intent of the artist and whether one should go to a baby shower for a same-sex couple having a baby via IVF.

• Does any form of art (music, performing arts, etc.) bring glory to God even if the artist never intended to do so?
• Should I go to a baby shower for a same-sex couple having a baby via IVF?

Questions about whether “staying in our lane” as Christians is an excuse to avoid responsibility and the difference between the LDS “burning in the bosom” and John Wesley’s “warming of the heart.” 

• It’s recommended that Christians “stay in their lane” to avoid feeling overwhelmed, but how do we judge between staying in our lane and using that as an excuse to avoid responsibility?
• What’s the difference between the LDS idea of the “burning in the bosom” and John Wesley’s “warming of the heart”?

Questions about whether a person who makes a negative claim has the burden of proof and the top apologetic topics that are most relevant for the times we’re living in.

• If someone makes a negative claim (e.g., “God does not exist”), do they have the burden of proof?
• What would you say are the top three or four apologetic topics that are most important and/or relevant for the times we’re living in?

Questions about whether to engage controversial political statements from family members, where the Bible says drugs are wrong, and a book recommendation for discussing abortion in a group with varying views.

• Should I use tactics to engage my family when they make controversial political statements?
• Where does the Bible say drugs are wrong?
• Is there a book you would recommend for discussing the topic of abortion in a men’s group where they may have varying views on the topic?

Questions about whether it’s okay for a church to hire a custodian who’s an unbeliever, how to account for the use of “led by the Spirit” in Matthew 4, and why Judas was called an apostle in Matthew 10 if he wasn’t saved.

• Is it okay for a church to hire a custodian who is an unbeliever?
• If being “led by the Spirit” refers to moral development in Romans and Galatians, how do you account for its usage in Mathew 4, where Jesus is “led by the Spirit”? 
• If Judas wasn’t saved, how can he be called an apostle in Matthew 10?

Question about how to respond to someone who cites the “paradox of tolerance” as a reason to not tolerate Christian views.

• How would you respond to someone citing the “paradox of tolerance” as a reason to not tolerate Christian views?

Questions about what Hebrews 8:10 means when it says God will put his laws in our minds and hearts and whether God’s final justice for the evil in this world will be satisfying to us.

• What does Hebrews 8:10 mean when it says God will put his laws in our minds and hearts?
• Will God’s final justice for the evil in this world be satisfying to us, or is it not about us at all?

Questions about Greg’s opinion on extraterrestrials, what kind of humor God has, and whether humor is culturally determined or has objective rules behind it.

• What’s your opinion on extraterrestrials?
• What kind of humor does God have, and is humor contingent on subjective culture and context or are there objective rules behind it?

Questions about whether the lack of ability to sleep is the sin of anxiety and whether our having an account of the explanations Jesus gave only to his disciples gives us an unfair advantage over those who lived during Jesus’ ministry.

• Is the lack of ability to sleep the sin of anxiety and a sign I don’t trust God?
• Doesn’t our having an account of the explanations Jesus gave only to his disciples give us an unfair advantage over those who lived during Jesus’ ministry?