Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Discussion starter: God's inclusiveness it is not straight forward

If there is one issue that we need to encourage people to get deeper into is the issue of what does it mean for God to be inclusive?

Here is the problem like so many other issues for Christians (and others trying to understand Christianity)....our starting point for what it means for God to be inclusive needs to come from God's perspective (so diving into scripture is absolutely essential and also as we dive into scripture we need to allow more than one or two verses or stories help us see what it means to be inclusive).  The problem is at times we often allow other sources to inform us what it means to be inclusive without first considering God's perspective on the issue.  

So here is a start....check out the following:
Acts 1:7-8
Matthew 28:18-20
Galatians 3:26-4:7
John 3:16-17
Acts 10:45-46
Galatians 5:2-6
Romans 1:14-17
Romans 3:27-31
Romans 10:12-13
Colossians 3:5-11
Ephesians 2:12-22
John 4:1-26
John 14:6

As you read these verses think about:
How is God inclusive according to these verses?
How is God exclusive according to these verses?
What does this mean for you as a Christian and for us as congregation representing God on this earth?



1 comment:

Unknown said...

Excellent!
But also have a long hard look at Luke's Gospel. Packed full of references to Jesus inclusion of women, and his inclusion of "the poor" in their various forms (ie not just economically poor).