Student Questions: Task of Theology, part 2

As the student questions series continues, I'm talking through questions inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller.  Chapter one of this book is entitled, "The Task of Theology."  Today's episode continues the same topic as our last episode--the task of theology.   Discussions I have with my students based on this chapter include: Consider the validity of this statement: "Deism is cruelty."  What's the difference between theism and deism?  Does it matter? What happens when I die?  How do I know? What about while I live?  Does religion only pay off when I die? Hasn't Christianity done a lot of harm throughout history? Why is theology so controversial? I talk through how we can get students thinking deeply about these topics, sympathizing with where they are coming from, and lead them to truth.