Below is the complete and up-to-date schedule for the 2020 Spring Semester of "Who Created God?". As the year goes on, this page will be updated with links to discussion outlines and recordings for each talk.
Jan 21st - First Day of Class
Jan 23rd - Wesley Fall Kickoff
Jan 30th - First Wesley Overflow
Jan 23rd - Wesley Fall Kickoff
Jan 30th - First Wesley Overflow
Feb 4th
Do Christians really believe the world was created in Six Days?
The tension between modern science and the Bible is a subject of much frustration for many people. If scientific observation confirms that the Earth was formed billions of years ago and that life evolved over long spans of time... how can that possibly brought into alignment with the very different claims made by Christian tradition?
Outline | Recording
Do Christians really believe the world was created in Six Days?
The tension between modern science and the Bible is a subject of much frustration for many people. If scientific observation confirms that the Earth was formed billions of years ago and that life evolved over long spans of time... how can that possibly brought into alignment with the very different claims made by Christian tradition?
Outline | Recording
Feb 11th
How does Religion affect Politics?
What is it that so strongly links religion and politics? Why has Christianity been at the forefront of so much political drama in the West? This week we'll look at the fascinating principles that sit at the heart of almost all political worldviews, and how these ideas can be heavily informed by one's religious convictions.
Outline | Recording
How does Religion affect Politics?
What is it that so strongly links religion and politics? Why has Christianity been at the forefront of so much political drama in the West? This week we'll look at the fascinating principles that sit at the heart of almost all political worldviews, and how these ideas can be heavily informed by one's religious convictions.
Outline | Recording
Feb 18th
How could a just God send people to Hell?
There are a number of popular explanations for why it's "okay" for God to send people to Hell forever, but... for many it remains a topic of confusion and dread that they can't make sense of. Is eternal torture really what we're dealing with here, or are there other options?
Outline | Recording
How could a just God send people to Hell?
There are a number of popular explanations for why it's "okay" for God to send people to Hell forever, but... for many it remains a topic of confusion and dread that they can't make sense of. Is eternal torture really what we're dealing with here, or are there other options?
Outline | Recording
Feb 25th
Are there supernatural forces in our World?
A belief in the existence of supernatural beings is extremely common in traditions across the world. Is such an idea reasonable? How much of these stories of Angels and Demons are actually found in places like the Bible, and how much of it emerged from superstition?
Outline | Recording
Are there supernatural forces in our World?
A belief in the existence of supernatural beings is extremely common in traditions across the world. Is such an idea reasonable? How much of these stories of Angels and Demons are actually found in places like the Bible, and how much of it emerged from superstition?
Outline | Recording
Mar 3rd
Why would a loving God allow people to Suffer? Pt. 1
We are told over and over again that God is "good" and that he "loves" everyone who has ever lived... but every day countless children die of starvation and preventable diseases, and entire families lose their homes to natural disaster. Where is this loving God amidst this cold and uncaring world? When millions cry out in prayer, why is there no answer?
Outline | Recording
Why would a loving God allow people to Suffer? Pt. 1
We are told over and over again that God is "good" and that he "loves" everyone who has ever lived... but every day countless children die of starvation and preventable diseases, and entire families lose their homes to natural disaster. Where is this loving God amidst this cold and uncaring world? When millions cry out in prayer, why is there no answer?
Outline | Recording
Mar 10th
Why would a loving God allow people to Suffer? Pt. 2
It would be one thing to have some kind of intellectual explanation for why God isn't necessarily evil for allowing such atrocities to happen, it's another thing entirely to justify this God as "worthy of worship" in spite of his apathy and silence. How is anyone supposed to "love" and "pursue" a God who - in our darkest hours - could easily do something to help us... but who does nothing?
Outline | Recording
Why would a loving God allow people to Suffer? Pt. 2
It would be one thing to have some kind of intellectual explanation for why God isn't necessarily evil for allowing such atrocities to happen, it's another thing entirely to justify this God as "worthy of worship" in spite of his apathy and silence. How is anyone supposed to "love" and "pursue" a God who - in our darkest hours - could easily do something to help us... but who does nothing?
Outline | Recording
Mar 17th
No Meeting - Normal Spring Break
No Meeting - Normal Spring Break
Mar 24th
No Meeting - Spring Break 2: Electric Boogaloo
No Meeting - Spring Break 2: Electric Boogaloo
*** Topics from here on out will be pre-recorded ***
Mar 31st
Is the End Near?
The End Times have been a fascination of nearly every religious tradition on this planet. How will the world end? Will it be the result of human folly, or divine intervention? Is it a reality soon to come, or something a long way off? This week we break down the many strange and interesting views people have on how it will all go down.
Outline | Recording
Is the End Near?
The End Times have been a fascination of nearly every religious tradition on this planet. How will the world end? Will it be the result of human folly, or divine intervention? Is it a reality soon to come, or something a long way off? This week we break down the many strange and interesting views people have on how it will all go down.
Outline | Recording
Apr 7th
Why does Religion seem to favor Men?
It's no secret that, for most of Christianity's history, men have occupied the positions of authority within the church. Is this structure mandated by the Bible, or is it merely a reflection of the cultural patriarchy of our past? Or... both? Is it possible for someone to value Women's Rights and still consider themselves a Christian?
Outline | Recording
Why does Religion seem to favor Men?
It's no secret that, for most of Christianity's history, men have occupied the positions of authority within the church. Is this structure mandated by the Bible, or is it merely a reflection of the cultural patriarchy of our past? Or... both? Is it possible for someone to value Women's Rights and still consider themselves a Christian?
Outline | Recording
Apr 14th
How does God decide who is "Saved?"
While many people might have a firm view of "how salvation works" that they think is common across Christianity, there are actually some important details that continue to be debated to this day. This mainly has to do with the relationship between Free Will and Predestination, and whether or not God already knows - or has chosen - exactly who is getting into Heaven.
Outline | Recording
How does God decide who is "Saved?"
While many people might have a firm view of "how salvation works" that they think is common across Christianity, there are actually some important details that continue to be debated to this day. This mainly has to do with the relationship between Free Will and Predestination, and whether or not God already knows - or has chosen - exactly who is getting into Heaven.
Outline | Recording
Apr 21st
Does the Bible say that Same-Sex Marriage and Abortion are Wrong?
This week we'll carefully examine the biblical arguments used to justify vastly different attitudes regarding the exclusivity of marriage and the moral implications of abortion. Like always, our intention is to provide honest and open discussion - and we hope that in being informative and comprehensive everyone can gain a better appreciation for why it is that people believe what they believe.
Outline (NEW!) | Recording (NEW!)
Does the Bible say that Same-Sex Marriage and Abortion are Wrong?
This week we'll carefully examine the biblical arguments used to justify vastly different attitudes regarding the exclusivity of marriage and the moral implications of abortion. Like always, our intention is to provide honest and open discussion - and we hope that in being informative and comprehensive everyone can gain a better appreciation for why it is that people believe what they believe.
Outline (NEW!) | Recording (NEW!)
May 5
Open Q&A
Open Q&A
Dec 9th - Last Class Day
May 12
End of Semester Party!
End of Semester Party!
Dec 11th through 20th - Final Exams