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Discussion guide for January 2025 issue

In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation.

Public theology An image resembling a quilt with a cross. The cover of the Outlook's issue on public theologians.

Crossing the liminal together by Jennifer Frayer Griggs

Questions:

  1. The author writes of “liminal space,” the space between one object or subject and another. What do you understand to be the liminal space in our spiritual life?
  2. What are some ways this article may be helpful for understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in our day to day lives of faith and practice?
  3. The author writes, “No either/or exists in anything. There is only both/and.” What do you think she means by that statement?
  4. What are some metaphors, stories or images you could use to describe the both and the and of our spiritual lives?
  5. How has this article helped you to understand and engage in public theology?

Public theology and the many faces of Jesus by Rachel Sophia Baard

Questions:

  1. If you are a pastor, church educator, teacher or member of a Bible study group, how might you use or adapt the author’s “the Jesus Game”?
  2. The author offers a good question to discuss, “What face of Jesus do we as Christians present to the world?
  3. Jesus’ question of the disciples is a question that can be directed to us 21st Century Christians, “Who do you say that I am?” With what words, metaphors or images do you respond to Jesus’ question?
  4. The author focuses on the faces of Jesus presented in several historical contexts, the Reformation, the church in Nazi Germany, confrontation with White supremacy in America and male dominance in Christianity. What insights have you gained from what was shared in the article? How was public theology expressed in those arenas?
  5. In the last paragraph of the article the author suggests we should ponder the question Jesus asked, “Who do people say that I am?”
    The author raises another question worth discussing: “What kind of face of Jesus are we showing to those who are not Christian?”

Engaging public theology through art by Bethany Peerbolte

Questions:

  1. If you went to Sunday school as a child, what do you remember of the art prints that accompanied the lesson? How would you describe that art?
  2. What kinds of art are displayed in your church? What are some of the messages that this art seeks to convey?
  3. In what ways does your church’s art engage in and express public theology?
  4. Reread the section of the article titled, “Talking theology on the socials.” What are some thoughts you have about the author’s contrast of public theology with evangelism and public witness?
  5. The author writes, “To remedy our past deficiencies, we should engage the church’s tradition of using art as a vehicle for public theology … but art has many mediums.” How might your church’s ministry engage in public theology by using various art media?

The Holy Trinity of public theology by Jack Miller

Questions:

  1. When you first read the title of this article, what were some of your thoughts? What did you think was meant by the phrase, “public theology?”
  2. From the author’s perspective, what do you understand is meant by public theology?
  3. Reread the paragraph that begins, “As a medium, poetics offers a rich capacity for public theology?” What are some ways you can employ the power of words, written and spoken, to contribute to public theology in your setting?
  4. What would be the central theological theme in a public proclamation you might make?
  5. The author uses the metaphor of “dance” to describe what is involved in the process of engaging in public theology. How helpful is that metaphor to you in understanding the process of public theology? What is another metaphor you might use?

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