On God's Side, October 31, 2013

Did you find Chapter 7 to be challenging? As we wrestle with loving our neighbors -- and defining who those neighbors are -- Wallis now suggests that Christians are also to take seriously Jesus' commands to love our enemies and to be peacemakers. In this chapter, in the wake of the tragedy of 9/11, he develops two threads: our call to respectful interfaith cooperation, and his condemnation of the "war on terror" as ineffective and counter-productive. What has been your experience with interfaith cooperation? Do you know any Muslims personally? What do you know of their religion? Are there ways our churches can cooperate with Muslim communities (or other faith communities) in our midst? As we view the outcome of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, how do you respond to Wallis's challenge: "Shouldn't we at least have a debate about what the words of Jesus mean in the new world of terrorist threats and wars of occupation?" How would you answer Wallis's question about whether Jesus' words are authoritative or not? How can our churches reach out to the victims of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including our own returning servicemen and servicewomen?

On God's Side, October 24, 2013

In chapter 6, Wallis asks us where we find our primary identity: "in nation, culture, class, race, gender -- or first and foremost in God and a new international community of God's people?" How would you answer his question? Do you agree that, "Jesus' followers in the United States are called to be Christians first and Americans second"? Why or why not? What do you think of his critique of "American exceptionalism," and his suggestion that "If we're Christians, we critique America by our Christian principles -- not the other way around"? Towards the end of the chapter Wallis cites Paul's letter to the Romans and suggests that "our cultural conformity is an obstacle to our true worship of God." Would you agree? Why or why not?

On God's Side, October 17, 2013

In Chapter 5, Wallis uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to argue that there are now no "non-neighbors," that this "radical concept is absolutely essential to the idea of the common good," and that "it is a spiritual foundation for the common good." He goes on to say that "we are all neighbors now, whether we like it or not" (p. 98). Do you find his argument convincing? Would you agree that we have a responsibility to treat all people as the Samaritan treated the man in the parable? He ends the chapter talking about the supply chains for our consumer goods? Do you know where and under what conditions your cellphone, computer, television, or shirt were produced? Do you know where your strawberries, chocolate, or coffee were grown? Have you ever bought a fair-trade item?

On God's Side, October 10, 2013

In chapter 4, Wallis relates how Matthew 25 was instrumental in his conversion from a privatized faith to a faith centered on justice for the poor and vulnerable. Do you agree with Wallis's understanding of this text? Is Matthew 25 an important text for you? What other Scripture passages inform your faith? Do you think that grass-roots, faith-based efforts, like the one he describes on immigration at the end of the chapter, really make a difference in Washington?