Caitland:Sharon, can I ask you something? What does the Holy Spirit feel like to you? Because for me, He’s like a steady guide. He helps me think straight, gives me peace, and nudges me when I’m about to make a bad decision. Sharon:That’s a great question, Caitland. I’ve always felt the Holy Spirit as power….
Street Bishops Blog
Prayer: Talking to God or Hoping for Results?
Caitland:Stephanie, I’ve been thinking about how we both pray. You and I love the Lord, but we come to Him in such different ways. I like to set aside a quiet time each day, kind of like Jesus did when He went off to pray alone. Stephanie:Yeah, I remember that verse—Jesus went out early in…
Outline for Sharon and Mike’s Conversation: Literal vs. Figurative Interpretation of the Bible
1. Opening Statements: Why We Read the Bible the Way We DoSharon and Mike each explain their foundational belief about how the Bible should be approached—literal truth vs. symbolic wisdom. This includes personal background, faith tradition, and life experiences shaping their views. 2. The Creation Account: Historical Event or Divine Metaphor?Sharon asserts Genesis describes a…
1 Opening Statements: Why We Read the Bible the Way We Do
Sharon:Mike, before we get into all these deep talks about the Bible, I think it helps to just say where we’re both coming from. I’ll go first. For me, the Bible has always been God’s Word—plain and clear. I grew up reading it, trusting it, and believing every word was true just as it’s written….
12 Closing Thoughts: What We’ve Learned from Each Other
Sharon:You know, Mike, we’ve had some long talks. And even though we didn’t agree on everything, I’m glad we talked about it all. It made me stop and think about things I sometimes just accept without question. Mike:I feel the same way, Sharon. I’ve always been the kind of person who looks for meaning and…
11 Unity in Diversity: Can Both Views Coexist in Christian Fellowship?
Sharon:Mike, we’ve talked about a lot of things. We don’t always agree, but we both love Jesus. Still, sometimes I wonder—can people with such different views about the Bible really stay in the same church? Mike:That’s something I think about too, Sharon. I know we see Scripture a little differently, but I believe God wants…
10 Faith and Salvation: Does Interpretation Affect Doctrine
Sharon:So here’s my big concern, Mike. When people start saying the Bible is full of symbols or stories, I worry it might lead them to doubt the most important parts—like salvation. If we start reading the Bible too loosely, how do we know what to believe about being saved? Mike:That’s a fair concern, Sharon. But…
9 Moral Teachings: Timeless Law or Cultural Framework
Sharon:When I read the Bible, I believe the moral teachings are forever. God’s standards don’t change. Right is right, and wrong is wrong, no matter what time we live in. Mike:I agree with that, Sharon. I believe God’s heart doesn’t change. But I think some of the rules in the Bible were written for specific…
8 Context and Culture: Interpreting Scripture Through Time
Mike:One thing I think is really important when we read the Bible is thinking about the time and place it was written. People lived very differently back then. Understanding their culture helps us understand what the Bible is really saying. Sharon:I hear what you’re saying, Mike, but I believe the Bible is for all time….
7 The Authority of Scripture: Inerrant Word or Inspired Message
Sharon:I believe the Bible is the perfect Word of God. It doesn’t have any mistakes. Every word, every line—it’s all true. It’s not just inspired. It’s inerrant. That means it can’t be wrong. Mike:I believe the Bible is God’s Word too. I read it every day. But I think when we say “inspired,” it means…