St. Peter’s Sunday Morning Bible Group

Christ and Culture | 7

In week 7, Pastor Adam and and Pastor John begin by recapping last week, from the Paradoxical Vision to and the concept of the ‘concentric circles’ framework. We then dove deeper into the idea of the  unchanging center of the ‘core circle’ of our faith and continued to examine how those beliefs influence public policy and the importance of prioritizing the needs of our neighbors in voting decisions. Join us as we navigate differing opinions while staying anchored in the foundational beliefs of our common faith.

Christ and Culture | 6

In week 6 we dive into a compelling discussion with Dr. Biermann about the role of government and its relationship to Christianity. Dr. Biermann emphasizes that the government’s primary responsibility is to uphold justice, not to establish a Christian nation. We then explored a ‘concentric circles’ framework from the book “The Paradoxical Vision" by Robert Benne to help navigate complex moral and theological discussions, distinguishing core beliefs from more flexible applications in public policy. Join us as we explore how this approach fosters generous dialogue among Christians with differing views, and discover practical insights for engaging in today’s cultural conversations.

Christ and Culture | 5

In this week’s discussion, we tackle the complex relationship between the left hand (representing civil authority) and the right hand (symbolizing the church). Last week’s exploration of their distinct roles led to thought-provoking questions about their interaction and overlap. We delve into memorable phrases and scenarios to clarify how the left and right hands should cooperate, not confuse, each other. Key points include understanding why mixing their roles—like using the church’s influence to justify political actions or vice versa—can lead to confusion. We also discuss Thomas Jefferson’s concept of “separation of church and state,” which has evolved into a more pronounced divorce rather than a balanced distinction. Finally, we explore when and how the church should influence or stay out of state affairs and the appropriate role of each hand in fostering moral and ethical guidance within society.

Christ and Culture | 4

In week 4 we dive deeper into the 2 Kingdoms. Together, Pastor Adam and Pastor John break down the theological concept of the Two Kingdoms, examining how God's justice and justification operate in the world. The "left hand" of justice, focusing on societal laws and order, enforced with the sword, and the "right hand" of justification, emphasizing spiritual redemption through the Gospel. The discussion contrasts the pursuit of peace and adherence to God’s law in the left hand with the existing peace of the Gospel in the right hand. It highlights the church’s role in actively engaging with societal issues while maintaining its distinct spiritual mission, and warns against confusing or divorcing these realms. Practical scenarios illustrate how these realms interact in real-world situations.

Christ and Culture | 3

In week 3  we explore two distinct perspectives on the relationship between Christ and culture.
First, we discuss the concept of "Christ the Transformer of Culture." This viewpoint suggests that Christians are called to actively reshape society by aligning cultural norms with Gospel values. Advocates believe that Christ’s influence can bring about positive change across various domains like politics and the arts. However, critics warn that this approach might lead to an overemphasis on human effort, unrealistic expectations, potential Christian nationalism, and a neglect of personal spirituality.
In contrast, the "Christ and Culture in Paradox" perspective acknowledges the inherent tension between living out Christian values and interacting with secular culture. It proposes a balanced approach where spiritual and worldly realms coexist under God's sovereignty but function differently.
Additionally, we explore the "Two Realms" or "Two Hands" framework, which outlines that God governs the secular realm (focused on justice and preservation) and the spiritual realm (focused on justification and redemption) in distinct ways. Both realms, however, are ultimately unified in the eschatological vision of Christ’s second coming.
Join us as we delve into these frameworks, examining their implications for Christian engagement with society and the broader cultural landscape.

Christ and Culture | 2

In week 2, we explored the concept of Christ Against Culture, which frames the world as corrupt and encourages Christians to reject it in favor of a distinct, Christ-centered way of living. We discussed both the strengths and weaknesses of this perspective, including its clear moral boundaries and strong community identity but also its tendency toward isolation and missed opportunities for witness. We then contrasted it with Christ of Culture, which aligns with cultural progress and affirms human institutions, but cautioning against compromising core Christian beliefs in the pursuit of relevance. We ended with Christ Over Culture which looks to confuse the role of the right and left realms in which we live as followers of Jesus.

Christ and Culture | 1

In Week 1 of our "Christ and Culture" series, we dive into the complex relationship between the church and culture through real-world scenarios and group discussions. We explore how Christians can navigate cultural shifts—whether through separation or engagement—using Richard Neibuhr’s five paradigms as a framework. With scenarios ranging from transgender issues in sports to mandatory diversity events, we challenge participants to reflect on how their faith interacts with societal norms. This week sets the stage for deeper conversations on the church's role in shaping, opposing, or transforming culture.

SMBG | 2024-2025 School Year Update and Ask the Pastors

Join St. Peter's Principal, Mr. Paul Meredith as he walks through the new school theme as well as update on the upcoming school year. Then join the three Pastors, Pastor Adam, Pastor John and Pastor Tim as they tackle some tough questions! 

Genesis | Joseph | 9

Join Pastor Adam as he concludes this 9 week study on the book of Genesis.

Genesis | Jacob and Esau Meeting | 8

Join Pastor John Cordrey as he walks through the story of the brothers Jacob and Esau reuniting after 20 years of separation.  
Text: Genesis 37, Genesis 39-44