During our weekend services on November 2-3, we hosted Q&A sessions with Greg Boyd, our Senior Pastor, and Paul Eddy, our Teaching Pastor. We included all three services, so enjoy listening to ALL the answers.
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The Forest in the Trees: Q&A
• Greg Boyd, Paul Eddy
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Original composition by Greg Wollan and Gregg Ward, Forest in the Trees: Listen
Saturday, 5:00 p.m.
- We know that Lucifer took a bunch of angels with him when he fell. Is it possible that another high-ranking angel could fall again in the future? (00:01:40)
- Although a literal seven day creation may be figurative are Adam and Eve to be considered figurative too? (00:06:04)
- Why does the church today put such an emphasis on singing? Studying, sharing the gospel, doing good works, and praying all make sense because Jesus did these things; but Jesus is never seen singing in worship towards God. (00:10:11)
- When Jesus returns, will there still be unbelievers and if so what will happen to them? (00:12:12)
- John the Baptist was baptizing people for the remission of their sins. Why was Jesus baptized by John if he had no sin? (00:15:53)
- Do you think there are territorial spirits that could claim a family as their own (even for multiple generations) and wreak havoc on the members of that family? (00:17:42)
- With the cross being so central, was the resurrection necessary? (00:19:32)
- The Book of Revelation claims that all things will be restored in the end, but most people will end up taking the broad road to destruction; these two things seem to be contradictory. How can all things be restored, and yet people still be in hell? (00:23:18)
- What is apocalyptic literature? Could you give a non-Canonical example in order to help us better understand how to read it? (00:29:11)
- If two people are praying for a situation with two different outcomes, how can the person whose prayer was not answered be encouraged to seek an answer through prayer again? (00:31:32)
- How can you continue to trust God and follow his direction when he seems to constantly lead us through trials? How can you trust someone who continually hurts you? (00:38:49)
Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
- Since God committed the earth and the animal kingdom into our hands, does God intervene in animal suffering when we pray for them? Does God still intervene if we don’t pray? (00:42:45)
- Did God intervene in evolution to create modern humans, or did we just evolve? At what point then were we truly human? Will there be Neanderthals in heaven? (00:45:23)
- Which Person of the Trinity will we experience or interact with in heaven? (00:49:02)
- Is it important that the small groups that we share life with be a mixture of both men and women for balance? Or should we separate our small groups by gender? (00:51:27)
- If a sea is a non-literal way the bible describes the power of Satan, did Jesus literally calm the sea and walk on water, or was that metaphor as well? (00:54:56)
- In the New Testament, why don’t we hear more about Jesus from his siblings (those who probably knew him well and his character)? (00:56:53)
- How do you see apostles and prophets operating in the Church today? It seems like they are on the sidelines at best compared to pastors, teachers, and evangelists. (01:00:32)
- When Noah was building the ark, how did all the pairs of animals know to come so quickly? (01:05:18)
- Is it possible that the God of the Old Testament was really Satan in disguise? (01:06:34)
- If God gives more talents to some people does that mean he loves some more than others? (01:11:34)
- What can a person do if they can’t get past childhood trauma? Does it come to a point where you have to accept that this is just the way things will be until heaven? (01:15:16)
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.
- What is the church’s view on speaking in tongues? (01:19:21)
- The Bible states that we should remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Why do we choose to not follow it, even though Jesus did? (01:23:00)
- How can hell be defined as “separation from God” while also maintaining that God is omnipresent? (01:25:23)
- Is it possible to discern God’s will through non-Scriptural means such as mediums or tarot cards? (01:27:13)
- My wife was baptized as a baby in the Lutheran church and went through confirmation. Do you think she needs to be baptized again as an adult? (01:29:54)
- Jesus tells us that his yoke is light, but then tells us to take up our cross. How are we to hold both of these as true? (01:32:34)
- If the stories in the Old Testament do not hold up to historical and scientific standards, what makes still worth reading or studying? (01:36:24)
- It seems like Quantum Entanglement points in the direction of how we are one in Christ. Is this true? Can physics help to validate our faith? (01:41:24)
- Why did it take Jesus wait so long to reveal himself to humanity? Why didn’t God just send him right after Adam and Eve got kicked out of the garden? (01:43:12)
- How are we to interpret the text in Revelation when it speaks of Satan getting released again upon the earth for a thousand years? (01:46:54)
- Is deeply grieving a loss on Earth a sign of being unspiritual? (01:50:22)
Sermon Series: The Forest in the Trees
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"Just a note of thanks. I came across the site, having heard Greg speak in Ireland many moons ago. The church here is a bit jaded, we have found. Groupthink, lack of going deep, fear, perhaps, of facing tough questions. [WH has] great sermons, and not just from Greg. Real food for a somewhat undernourished Irish Christian. Keep it up! Ian from Ireland"
– Ian, from Ireland