Living the Questions

People know that at its core, Christianity has something good to offer the human race.  At the same time, many have a sense that they are alone in being a "thinking" Christian and that "salvaging" Christianity is a hopeless task. What is needed is a safe environment where people have permission to ask the questions they've always wanted to ask but have been afraid to voice for fear of being thought a heretic.

Living the Questions is an open-minded alternative to studies that attempt to give participants all the answers. Living the Questions creates an environment where participants not only interact with one another in exploring the best of today's theological thought, but together strive to explore what's next for Christianity. Featuring 30 of today's leading religious voices, Living the Questions is comprised of 21 sessions of 1–2 hr duration including a meal and personal sharing. Sessions may be expanded to suit participants discussion. Handout material guides participants during and between sessions.

Weekly Sessions

Each session includes:

• Conversations with leading theologians, church leaders
• Other internet resources (including a glossary of traditional theological ideas reinterpreted for the 21st Century)
• Sociologists and biblical scholars
• Sermon and lecture clips
• Digital parables illustrating aspects of an evolving faith
• Concrete spiritual practices (e.g., lectio divina, body prayer, journaling) spiritual disciplines (centering, openness, patience, etc.)
• Suggestions for engagement in acts of social justice

Format

The format of each session includes a video, guided discussion, spiritual exercises and Bible study.

The 21 sessions may be addressed in three sections of 7 studies.

1. Invitation to Journey
2. Reclaiming the World
3. Call To Covenant

Since the overall theme is that of faith as a journey, not a destination, the www.livingthequestions.com web site will offer resources for continued exploration, including downloadable expanded study guides, extra video resources, and links.

YouTube Link

Living the questions clips are now available on YouTube.  If you have a broadband internet connection, click here to view the clips.   Or go to http://www.youtube.com/user/livingthequestions in your Web browser.

Contributors

Nancy Ammerman, John Bell, Marcus Borg, Minerva Carcaño, John B. Cobb, Jr.  John Dominic Crossan, Heather Murray Elkins , Lloyd Geering, Leslie Griffiths, Stanley Hauerwas, Alan Ladd, Culver "Bill" Nelson , G. Lynn Nelson, Larry Powell, Siyoung Park, Stephen Patterson, Tex Sample, John Shelby Spong, Roger Strom, Emilie Townes, Regina Walker Catlin