Testing Scripture, by John Polkinghorne

Chapter Nine

1.  While the whole of Acts describes the development of the early church, Peter and Paul remain its chief leaders. 

- Including the book of Luke, how would you characterize the persons and ministries of each of these pivotal men?

2.  We cannot be certain of either the authorship or dating of the book of Hebrews, yet, its Christology presents a mature understanding of the role and work of Jesus in securing our redemption.

- Why is the suffering and death of Jesus, being fully human, central to the message of atonement in Hebrews? 

3.  The Epistle of James… is very much concerned with issues of right conduct and the author famously declares that ‘faith without works is dead.’ James is emphasizing that true faith must be manifested in deeds as well as words.

- How do you interpret James’ statement, and where do you see the truth of it in one’s daily life and in the life of the church?

4.  1 & 2 Peter serve different audiences and purposes. 

- How do these themes of patience – both in suffering and awaiting the Lord’s return – speak to the trials of the church today?

5.  1 John invites readers to beware of false prophets and to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”  In the end, love and faith prevail over all worldly trials.

- How has such advice served you in your faith development?

- How do we “test the spirits” today?

6.  Revelation ends with a grand and inspiring vision of the new Jerusalem, where ‘death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away,’ and where there is ‘the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.’

- How do you both envision and anticipate the new Jerusalem?