See also past Partners Video Reviews    

Living the Questions: A Program for Christian Exploration and Spiritual Formation (2005)
$250 includes a two-disc DVD set, participant and leader guides, and access to web-based small group studies.
Living the Questions, 5501 N. 7th Ave., PMB 733, Phoenix, AZ 85013-1755;
www.livingthequestions.com.

This DVD is one component of a 12week comprehensive Christian education program for use in congregations or other venues. Living the Questions (LTQ) describes itself as a “progressive alternative for Christian initiation, invitation, and spiritual formation.”

LTQ is well produced and articulate in presenting its particular understanding of Christian faith and life. The series’ format provides for a 2-1/2 hour weekly session and includes a shared meal, a 20–30 minute DVD segment, guided discussion, spiritual exercises, and Bible study.

Themes for the sessions cover a wide range of topics including Thinking Theologically, Restoring Relationships, Social Justice and the Prophets, and Intimacy with God.

In the opening session, participants such as Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan articulate progressive Christianity as scripturally anti-literalist and anti-fundamentalist. Progressive Christians read the Gospels as “human documents” that are “not divinely guaranteed.” Therefore, LTQ is aimed at “those who can’t be literalists” but who instead take a historical/metaphorical approach to the Bible.

As Borg says, “It is possible for a non-literalist to be a Christian.” LTQ also emphasizes the place of ambiguity and doubt as well as of certainty in the faith journey of the Christian. Indeed, faith as journey, not destination, is the guiding metaphor of LTQ.

There is far more to LTQ’s understanding of progressive Christianity, but it is a distinctly liberal understanding of the Christian faith. As such, it may or may not work well in some congregational settings, as the authors and producers are aware.

Even if you don’t count yourself among LTQ’s target audience, there are a number of voices and subjects on the DVD, such as John Cobb on calling disciples and Tex Sample on suffering that will speak to you.

Good God Questions, Volumes 1 and 2 (2006)
A color DVD, not rated, approximately 82 minutes per volume. Single-volume DVD ($34.95) or two-volume set ($49.95).
Luther Productions, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108;
www.lutherproductions.com or (651) 646-5526.

These DVDs from Luther Productions take a different approach to questions of faith than the Living the Questions DVD reviewed above. The emphasis here is squarely on wrestling with answers to specific difficult questions rather than on broader issues of authority and relevancy of Scripture, progressivism, etc.

Each volume is cast in a conversational format moderated by Luther Seminary professor of Old Testament, Matthew Skinner. He is joined by three other faculty members (different for each volume) who attempt to answer the sorts of questions that are on the minds and hearts of Christians:

• What happens to us after death?
• How do I know God’s will for my life?
• What do we do with disturbing biblical passages?
• If I am forgiven, why will I be judged?

Each of the twelve questions is its own segment with ample time to begin to explore the paradox, mystery, and faith dimensions of a question while still leaving plenty for viewers to think about or discuss on their own.

Perhaps what recommends these DVDs most strongly is that the participants do a great job of remaining grounded in Scripture and faith. Furthermore, it is clear that they have asked and faced many of these very questions in their own lives. We hear and see how much these questions matter to them.

Good God Questions could be readily used for a variety of teaching contexts and environments. Selected questions might be subgrouped to provide a focused theme for a particular audience. For example, the three questions on suffering, plus What happens to us after death? and Why did Jesus have to die? might be used as the basis for a Lenten discussion series.

But don’t overlook the fact that this DVD would make an excellent general reference and resource for clergy and lay leaders — because it’s only a matter of time until you have to answer a Good God Question.

Holy Communion (2006)
Mosaic Winter 2006 edition, a 36 minute color DVD for adults, $19.95. Bonus material includes a user guide and a second video, “Called, Inspired, Prepared: The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.”
ELCA Communications Services, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631; www.elca.org/mosaic or (800) 638-3522 ext. 6009.

This DVD offers a brief but helpful overview of the sacrament of Holy Communion. It would make a good resource for use in adult forums, instruction for new members who are new to the Lutheran understanding of the Lord’s Supper, and possibly with post-confirmation youth.

Two presenters from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Craig A. Satterlee and Kurt Hendel, and host Barbara Berry-Bailey provide biblical and historical context not only for our understanding of the sacrament but also for its practice and meaning in the life of the congregation.

Topics covered include What is Holy Communion?; The Words of Institution; Real Presence; Means of Grace vs. Rites; Congregational Practice; and Unity in the Body of Christ.

The DVD is strongest in its exploration of the ways in which Lutheran practice varies with congregations and their social contexts. Satterlee cautions viewers against thinking that the way we celebrate Holy Communion is communion itself.

We see excellent examples of this variety of practice in the contrasts between a small rural congregation in Ander, Texas, and an urban, multi-ethnic congregation in flux in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

These congregational stories make Mosiac’s Holy Communion a living snapshot of Holy Communion as it is being shared within the ELCA.

Geoffrey L. Scott, Lutheran Partners’ video review editor, is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Menomonie, Wisconsin.