Lectures - Ask Me Anything

Our first ever AMA “Ask Me Anything” event April 12, 2022. John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place answered questions from friends and followers of the History, Theology, and Philosophy lecture series, including the ones below. THE PRESENTATION START 1 MINUTE INTO THE VIDEO. We have not trimmed this video so that you can follow the discussion we had in the chat. Please consider a making donation at https://www.centreplace.ca/donate ❤️THANK YOU❤️ (tax deductible in the US and Canada) 00:00 Video starts 01:10 Presentation starts 02:50 Interaction between Enlightenment, human rights, progress 06:55 Thoughts on being part of a church founded by a controversial figure like Joseph Smith? 11:10 How is Community of Christ maybe evolving away from Joseph Smith? 12:57 What were the rituals and lifestyle of the Ebionites? 17:04 Fasting in the bible and elsewhere in history 20:45 What is the future of religion in light of increasing secularism? 24:05 Cosmology of heaven of Joseph Smith 28:10 Orthodox church rearrangements related to the Ukraine war* 28:55 Why are the post-resurrection chapters of the Gospels so short compared to the rest? 33:10 Does Community of Christ work with ecumenical movements? 36:15 What is the meaning of life? 38:05 Why does everyone think the James Ossuary was debunked? 40:07 What are the implications of e.g. the Nag Hammadi texts to Community of Christ given its open canon? 42:08 How do we combat the rise of nihilism? 44:55 Thoughts on hopeful sci-fi like Star Trek disappearing in pop culture 47:18 Community of Christ's stances toward its symbols, esp. viz. iconoclasm 50:35 Opinion on Münster rebellion 51:21 Is religion compatible with the idea of humanity achieving progress? 53:42 Where did you draw your personal leap of faith? 57:28 Favorite "fun fact" about Martin Luther? 59:30 Thoughts on Pagan Continuity hypothesis? 1:02:56 Could an atheist be elected president of the US? 1:04:15 Your opinion on the leadership of the Utah LDS church? 1:05:55 Why is there a difference between the synoptic Jesus and the Johannine Jesus? 1:08:10 The Community of Christ statement of beliefs seems to assert biblical historicity? Problem? 1:12:30 Any similarities between Native American beliefs and Christianity? 1:15:00 What is Community of Christ's understanding of afterlife? 1:16:50 What lost document, if found, would have the biggest impact on biblical scholarship? 1:18:50 On biblical historicity / inerrancy / infallibility 1:21:14 Relationship between dreams and the formation of religion 1:24:00 Thoughts on Ralph Ellis' research into the historical bible? 1:24:33 Was Christianity diverse in the 1st century or did that come later? 1:27:15 On John's view that atheism has its origins in Protestantism 1:30:32 When did the seer stone etc. for the Book of Mormon translation become public knowledge? 1:33:03 Why doesn't God just bring us to heaven instead of making us suffer on Earth? 1:35:40 Is Jesus God? 1:38:27 How does your church incorporate the divine feminine? 1:41:29 What do you think about Spinoza's concept of God? 1:43:43 Your response to the idea that our experiences are brain chemicals and nothing more? 1:46:03 Should Community of Christ be viewed as a "Restorationist" church? 1:48:40 On the worry that theologically liberal churches might end up standing for nothing Thank you Daryl Scott for providing the chapters! #lecture #cofchrist #ama