Sun Nov 23, 2:00 PM: Dialogue on Situational Ethics
Elder Gus Harter continues with the fifth in a series of studies in apologetics with a highly relevant study of what the Bible has to say regarding situational ethics. This lesson arose from a question raised during an earlier dialogue.
The theory of situational ethics purports to advance the greatest good through decisions and actions that sometimes violate principles of God’s moral law. This theory holds that the end justifies the means, when the end envisioned is a desirable or godly outcome. Elder Harter will point out and challenge the many assumptions that underlie this way of thinking. Can we know the future? Do we believe in God’s providence? Is the end we may imagine truly the one that brings God most glory?
Especially for high school and college students, the ability to deconstruct the tense, artificial scenarios often used to promote situational ethics is a vital skill.
As he has during the prior dialogues, Elder Harter will open the floor for questions after his presentation.
To the Church at Thessalonica
Elder Harter exposits 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. The message begins with an enlightening lesson on the history and context of the letter, linking Paul’s epistle with the story of the church’s early days in Acts 17.
The church at Thessalonica was a good church, and Paul obviously recalled his brief visit there with fondness. Both his letters to the church emphasize the second coming of Christ, and exhort the disciples there to continue on in their labors of discipleship and service.
In verse 4, Paul makes reference to their “election of God.” When rightly understood, election is not an eliminating doctrine. Rather, it includes a great number of souls who could have been saved in no other way but God’s grace.
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Sun Nov 9, 2:00 PM: Dialogue on the Interpretation of Scripture
Elder Gus Harter continues with the third in a series of studies in apologetics by focusing on the interpretation of scripture. If we believe God inspired and preserved His word, how should we go about our reading and study of the Bible so that we do not misunderstand it? The Bible itself describes this discipline as “rightly dividing the word of truth.” Theologians label it hermeneutics.
Building upon the foundation of divine inspiration and preservation, the student of scripture is bound to approach the Bible differently from any other book, having confidence in its fundamental integrity. The scriptures cannot be broken, but our understanding of their meaning may be imperfect. Elder Harter will present a systematic method of studying scripture, extracting meaning, and reconciling apparent contradictions.
As he has during the prior dialogues, Elder Harter will open the floor for questions after his presentation.