Discussion Questions

In the opening courtroom illustration, the defense attorney wins a “not guilty” verdict while truth loses; what does this comparison suggest about the difference between appearing right before people and actually standing in truth before God? JumpstartAnother way to ask: In the courtroom story, the lawyer gets a “not guilty” result even though the truth loses. What does this show about the difference between looking right to people and being truthful before God?

David Bercot says many theologians treat Scripture as “a pool of verses” from which to gather support for a theology they already believe; where do modern Christians, including Bible-believing evangelicals, most easily fall into that same habit? JumpstartAnother way to ask: David Bercot says some theologians use the Bible like a “pool of verses” to support what they already believe. Where do Christians today, even Bible-believing evangelicals, do the same thing?

The chapter argues that theologians often ignore or explain away verses that do not fit their system; how should Christians respond when a passage of Scripture appears to threaten their assumptions about grace, obedience, faith, assurance, or freedom? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The chapter says theologians often ignore or explain away verses that do not fit their beliefs. How should Christians respond when a Bible passage challenges what they believe about grace, obedience, faith, assurance, or freedom?

Samuel Butler’s quote says that a clergyman can hardly look facts fairly in the face because “it is his profession to support one side”; how can ministry roles, denominational loyalty, or theological identity make honest submission to God’s truth more difficult? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Samuel Butler says a minister may struggle to face facts fairly because his job is to defend one side. How can church roles, loyalty to a denomination, or a theological label make it harder to obey God’s truth?

Bercot compares past theologians’ treatment of opponents—burning, torturing, denunciation, and name-calling—with the methods of trial lawyers; what does this reveal about the danger of defending “truth” in a way that contradicts the character and commands of Christ? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says some past theologians treated opponents with burning, torture, insults, and attacks, like trial lawyers trying to win. What danger do we see when people defend “truth” in ways that go against Jesus’ character and commands?

In the quotation from Luther’s response to Erasmus, Luther uses contemptuous language against his opponent; how should serious Christians evaluate theological teachers whose doctrine may seem strong but whose spirit toward opponents seems unlike Jesus? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Luther used harsh and insulting words against Erasmus. How should serious Christians judge teachers whose doctrine seems strong, but whose attitude toward opponents does not seem like Jesus?

The sermon-note anecdote says, “Weak point: Yell like mad”; why are Christians sometimes most dogmatic, emotional, or accusatory precisely where their biblical support is weakest? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The sermon note says, “Weak point: Yell like mad.” Why are Christians sometimes most forceful, emotional, or accusing when their Bible support is weakest?

Bercot says he left trial law because he found too many conflicts between it and the teachings of Christ; what occupations, habits, communication styles, or accepted cultural practices might Christians need to reconsider if they applied the teachings of Christ with similar seriousness? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot left trial law because he saw too many conflicts with Jesus’ teachings. What jobs, habits, ways of speaking, or common cultural practices might Christians need to rethink if they took Jesus’ teachings just as seriously?

In title law, Bercot says the attorney must examine every document objectively because the actual truth matters more than what the seller thinks; what would it look like for Christians to examine every relevant Scripture with that same honesty, especially passages that are inconvenient or unsettling? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says a title lawyer must check every document fairly because the truth matters more than what the seller thinks. What would it look like for Christians to study every important Bible passage with the same honesty, even the hard or uncomfortable ones?

Bercot claims that if Bible-believing Christians used the same common-sense honesty as title lawyers, “we could all be one body again”; how does this challenge modern denominational divisions, and how might early Christians have viewed the idea of competing theological schools defending their own systems? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says Bible-believing Christians could be one body again if they used simple honesty like title lawyers. How does this challenge today’s church divisions, and how might early Christians have viewed competing groups defending their own systems?