**\*\*This is a cross-post from ONLINE Theology & Apologetics Discussion\*\***
https://www.meetup.com/theology-1/

**ONLINE MEETING INFORMATION**
[https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87017563332](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87017563332)
**Password** = 123456

A Discussion Group (Not a Bible Study)

Although we do discuss the Bible, this group is not a Bible study; it is a discussion group.

We discuss topics regarding religious faith, practice and experience including the following: Christian theology; the Bible; Atheism and other Skeptics; Islam; Mormonism; Charismatic theology; Calvinism and Reformed theology; Dispensationalism; End-Times Eschatology; King James Onlyism; Mysticism; Universalism; Separation of Church and State; ethics; etc. Topics are decided by those attending so bring a list of your favorites.

Everyone is welcome to join the group. Many perspectives are represented ranging from born-again Christians to Atheists and other skeptics and non-believers. We have spirited discussions and debates but we do so in a friendly and respectful manner.

You are welcome to participate in the discussions or just listen. Be prepared to be challenged (so come with a thick skin). And feel free to challenge the beliefs, assumptions and thoughts of others in a respectful way.

A Note about Attendance
Many new people ask, "Will you and I be the only ones there? Nobody else has RSVP'd." Most of the attendees of this group have been coming for a long time and do not bother to RSVP. There are typically about 6 to 12 people who show up each week.

A Note to Christians
This is your opportunity to meet actual unbelievers who are asking you to explain the Gospel and your beliefs to them. This is a great forum to practice witnessing and putting forth a defense of your faith. You may find that defending your faith and presenting the Gospel to real live unbelievers is a bit different from reading books on witnessing or just talking about witnessing with other Christians at church. As the New Testament indicates, the Gospel is an offense to unbelievers so we should not be surprised when the unbeliever reacts out of that offense. Set your expectations accordingly. It may be difficult at first but this group will give you excellent preparation for sharing the Gospel and defending your faith. This group is not for the fainthearted (but neither is biblical Christianity).

Being prepared to defend our faith is the duty of the Christian according to the Apostle Peter:

1 Peter 3:14-17 - 14b Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Deep Conversations

Todd Hedgcoth

Tony Tong

Darlene Gedge

Helen Tang 

Linda

Jasmine 

Nathaniel Glazer

Theology & Apologetics - Weekly Thursday Discussion

Online event

**Open discussion, bold opinions welcome. No prep needed. Just show up ready to think, argue, or ask “Wait—WTF just happened?”**

**Tacos** optional. Hot takes mandatory.

Phil

Philosophers & Gamblers Meetup

This is a weekly recurring, casual event that will contain the following:

**1.** **Open topic conversation -** All members welcome! We can discuss anything and everything.

**2\. New Member Meet & Greet** \- Newer members are encouraged to attend these events so we can get a little acquainted\. Video or at least voice will be required so that I can at least verify that you are real\. I can also answer any questions about myself and this group\.

**3\. Icebreaker Game \-** I will have a set of icebreaker prompts on display that can either be fun conversation starters, or we can ignore and discuss anything else.

For people I am not familiar with I may reach out and ask to attend one of these before they can attend any other events. This is a formality to ensure security within our group and prevent fake/malicious accounts, and to give peace of mind so we can get the most out of our events moving forward.

Looking forward to meeting & chatting with you!

Think and Drink!

Rick

Munzer Haque

Casual Chat / Icebreaker Game / New Members Welcome!

This should be an opportunity for believers and non-believers to discuss contentious claims in the bible and examine how we come to our different conclusions. The goal should be to learn and understand from one another. Ask good faith questions to those you disagree with and try to give good faith answers to questions directed at you.

This is a respectful environment that welcomes all views and opinions. You will hear ideas that you will not like or outright hate, and that is ok. We’re all human so long as we try our best to keep disagreements civil.

There are many stories in the bible that are supernatural and implausible. Do these stories cause you to dismiss religion as fairy tales and myths? Do you continue to believe with unwavering faith but still wonder about certain claims? Is there any chance there’s a natural explanation to some of these claims, but what is written sounds more extraordinary than the actual events?

What is the most outrageous claim in the bible, and how do you reconcile it? (I am thinking specifically of claims that seem physically impossible, and not moral claims that challenge God’s character)

Here are some claims that come to mind and questions to ask about them:

**\- Was there really a global flood?**
**\- Did Noah really get 2 of every animal on the ark?**
**\- Did Moses part the waters?** (Related question: Is their historical evidence of Jewish slaves living in Egypt? Did they escape Egypt? How did they escape?)
**\- How big was Goliath?**
**\- Did a whale swallow Jonah?**
**\- Did Jesus walk on water?**
**\- Was Jesus a real person?**
**\- Did Jesus turn water into wine?**
**\- Did Jesus heal people and raise some from the dead?**
**\- Did Jesus’ body truly vanish without a trace of his tomb being raided?**

What other stories or claims come to mind? Hope you can join us and engage in a fun discussion!

**Rule Of Etiquette:** The goal is to have a productive free-flowing discussion, while also giving everyone a fair chance to participate accordingly. If you have any trouble getting a word in, please use the "Raise Hand" feature. We have a loosely enforced 3 minute timer but please be mindful of your time and the number of people waiting, and know that you can always put yourself back in the rotation for additional talking points. It is also encouraged to engage with others on your turn so that we can have more of a free-slowing dialog, rather than each of us just taking turns on our soap boxes.

Hope you can join us!

Katie A.

Claudette

John Johnson

Jena

Kerry (Seattle, WA)

Darlene Stiverson

Denice Ingalls

Bible Stories: Myth vs Truth (open discussion, all welcome)

Gruppen

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Rick

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