Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace
Week 2: Section 1, Chapter 1 — Don't Be a Know-It-All
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Previewing Week 2 of Cold-Case Christianity
Read 3 of 6 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 16-week guide when you’re ready.
The first principle of good detective work — and good thinking — is recognizing what you don't yet know and clearing the decks of unjustified assumptions before the investigation begins.
Discussion Questions
6 questions1.Wallace opens with the idea of "presuppositions" — the background beliefs we bring to any investigation that can skew our interpretation of evidence before we even look at it. What presuppositions about Christianity or religion do you recognize in yourself? Are they helping you think clearly or getting in the way?
2.He introduces the concept of "methodological naturalism" — the assumption that only natural explanations can ever count as valid in an investigation. Why is this a problem if you are trying to investigate whether a miracle occurred? Is it possible to investigate the supernatural fairly while assuming it cannot exist?
3.Wallace argues that the best investigators enter a scene with an "open but not empty" mind. What is the difference between being open-minded and being empty-headed? How can you hold your existing beliefs loosely without abandoning them prematurely?