Discussion Questions

Richard Hooker pictured God as a courteous tutor, and he denied that God is a nitpicking sophist eager to trip us up. How does that picture shape the way we think about God's character and about our own mistakes in understanding Scripture? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Richard Hooker said God is a kind tutor who is not trying to trip us up. How does that change the way we think about God and about our own mistakes?

Jesus thanked the Father for hiding things from the wise and revealing them to babes, and He chose 12 unlettered men to found His church. What does that reveal about God's wisdom and the kind of people to whom He makes His kingdom known? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Jesus thanked the Father for showing truth to babes, and He chose 12 untrained men to start His church. What does that tell us about God's wisdom and the people He reveals His kingdom to?

Justin Martyr explained Christianity to pagans by going to the Sermon on the Mount, while many evangelical churches would go to the book of Romans. What does that difference show about how early Christianity and modern Christianity each understand what the faith is all about? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Justin Martyr used the Sermon on the Mount to explain Christianity to pagans. Many churches today would use Romans. What does that difference tell us about what each thinks the faith is about?

The creed of Tertullian's church can be counted at 79 words, and each church or region had its own similar creed. What did the early Christians assume about which beliefs are truly essential, and why could they keep that list so short? JumpstartAnother way to ask: One early church could state its creed in 79 words, and each region had its own similar creed. What did early Christians believe was truly essential, and why was their list so short?

The early church let Origen speculate freely on questions it had never defined, even when he was wrong. What does that freedom show about how early Christians understood the difference between fixed doctrine and open questions? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The early church let Origen guess about questions it had never settled, even when he was wrong. What does that show about how they told fixed doctrine apart from open questions?

Justin Martyr's standard was that someone who is not living by the teachings of Jesus is no longer viewed as a Christian. Why might that standard make modern Christians uncomfortable, and what does it expose about how we decide who is a true believer? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Justin Martyr's rule was that a person who does not live by Jesus' teachings is no longer seen as a Christian. Why might that make us uneasy, and what does it show about how we decide who is a real believer?

Before Nicaea, Christians refused to persecute others and would not serve as jailers because they could not torture anyone. Why does joining church and state lead Christians to accept war, oaths, torture and persecution, and what should Christians who want political power learn from that history? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Early Christians would not persecute anyone or work as jailers, because they could not torture people. Why does joining church and state lead to war, oaths, torture and persecution, and what can Christians who want political power learn from that?

An early Christian answered pagans who mocked Christian writing by saying, "We don't speak great things. We live them." If your habits, decisions and daily conduct were the only evidence of your faith, what would they say about what you actually believe? JumpstartAnother way to ask: An early Christian told mocking pagans, "We don't speak great things. We live them." If your daily life were the only proof of your faith, what would it show you really believe?

The early Christians taught that people are saved through belief in Jesus and an obedient, loving relationship with Him, and they did not require anyone to master the theology of salvation. How does that challenge modern assumptions about faith, obedience, grace and assurance? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Early Christians taught that we are saved by believing in Jesus and living in an obedient, loving relationship with Him. They did not make people master the theology of salvation. How does that challenge what people assume today about faith, obedience, grace and assurance?

Justin Martyr held firmly to a coming millennium, yet he called those who thought otherwise true Christians of the pure and holy faith. What specific habits would help you keep strong convictions while blessing a brother or sister who sees such a matter differently? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Justin Martyr firmly believed in a coming millennium, but he called those who disagreed true Christians. What habits would help you hold strong beliefs and still bless a brother or sister who sees it differently?