Holy Smokes

Every few weeks Mosaic gets together at Drygate Brewery on a Friday night to discuss a topic of interest to the community while enjoying a pint and (optional) cigar. Past topics have included Revolution, Reformation 2.0, Pagan spirituality, Heaven and Hell, why be a Christian, Biblical Marriage and many others!

Next topic: Is Jesus the only way to Eternal Life? In John 14:5 Jesus himself says that "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." What does this mean? Does this mean that people who have never heard of Jesus and his Good News cannot get into Heaven? What about those brought up under different religions or cultures? Join us to tell us you view on this topic after an introduction by David and Mary.

Come to Holy Smokes, at Drygate Brewery to discuss in a friendly, non-confrontational environment.

Previously on Holy Smokes…

October 4, 2024

Culture Wars. The war between the populist right and the "woke" left has been the defining political argument of our times. Left's rip off the plaster! When is it OK to discuss what a woman is? How many letters do we need to append to LGBTQIA+? Should either side extend empathy to the other or is one side beyond the pale? And what does this mean for a Christian church and Christian belief?

July 5, 2024

Artificial Intelligence. AI has the potential to transform our society, but will this be a transformation for the good or the bad? What actually is AI and how does it work? How will it impact our everyday lives? What are the dangers of letting AI into our lives. And how should we view the place of AI in God's creation? Can a machine every be sentient or conscious? Can it ever be regarded as having free-will or personhood? Can AI sin, and can AI be saved?

May 24, 2024

Euthanasia. Active euthanasia is the act of ending a life to avoid their continued suffering and is now legal in Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and parts of Australia. Is this ethical and is it supported or condemned by scripture? Should we end the suffering of those with incurable and painful illnesses, or is such killing always unethical? Would legalisation in the UK be an opportunity to provide a dignified death to loved ones, or is it a slippery slope that will lead to the killing of the vulnerable and those who fear being a burden to their families?

April 5, 2024

Are the limits to God's power? Traditionally we regard God as omniscient and omnipotent, but is this a modern fabrication? Or is this based on scripture? Is God self limited by his own law? And what about Jesus?

February 23, 2024

A Just war? Can wars ever be justified? I'm sure we all agree that the destruction of lives in the seemingly endless wars that ravage our world is appalling and awful. But is there ever a case for a "just war"? Is it sometimes necessary to resort to violence to protect those who might otherwise be massacred, or by resorting to violence ourselves have we become part of the problem?

January 12, 2024

Should pastors be paid a salary? In 1st Corinthians 9:14 Paul says "the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." What does this mean? Should pastors be paid a formal salary, or should they rely on the hospitality of their community, as described by Jesus in Luke 10?

December 1, 2023

The Virgin Birth. Why did Mary have to be a virgin when giving birth to Jesus? Was this essential for his divinity and status as the Son of God? What does this say about Jesus himself and our own vision of him and his life?

October 20, 2023

Are Israel Gods chosen people? Where should Christians stand when the bullets let loose? Should we support the marginalised, or stand on the side of salvic history?

September 1, 2023

On June 28 an Iraqi refugee burned pages from the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm. This, and similar burnings, have sparked riots and protests around the world. How should Christians respond to this? Should we support the right of individuals to protest freely against religion or should such protests be seen as acts inciting racial and religious hatred?