Rather than a single, overarching topic for this week’s discussion, we’re going back to a format we’ve tried once or twice before. We’re going to take on three, separate, but maybe related mini-topics.
We’re now in the season of Lent, which many Christians mark by engaging in some act of self-denial, like giving up desserts, or drinking, or social media, and so on. Others mark it not by taking something away, but by taking on a new spiritual discipline, like praying the daily office, or meditation, or reading and study of scripture. But whether you are giving something up or taking something on, the issue of temptation is ever present. The temptation to log on to Twitter to check your timeline, or Facebook to see what your friends are up to. The temptation to watch TV after dinner rather than say Compline, or to read your favorite book rather than sit in quiet contemplation.
So here’s our first mini-topic — What would have happened if Jesus had turned the stones into bread while being tempted in the desert? What are we to learn by Jesus’ ability to resist such temptation?
Our second mini-topic comes courtesy of one of our regular discussion participants. She asks, why does it seem that social justice and Christian beliefs are destined to be at odds with one another? What can we do to change that? Should we try to change it?
Our final mini-topic comes from a quote attributed to popular evangelical author, preacher, and writer Max Lucado. Here’s the quote — “Answer the big question of eternity, and the little questions of life fall into perspective.” What do you make of this? What do you think Lucado is trying to say, and do you agree with the statement?
We’re going to talk about all this, and probably a lot more, in our conversation tomorrow evening, Tuesday, March 8, beginning at 7pm at 313 Pizza Bar in downtown Lake Orion. See you there.