.1. Christianity and CultureThe Christian message is supposedly a timeless, universal one—it promises salvation to all people across time and space. At the same time, as circumstances change, the message is translated for peace and war, and translated into new languages for new cultures, changing in unexpected ways. We have already seen some key, stable elements of some Christian groups, such as a reverence for the Bible, tradition, or leaders like the Pope. We have also seen examples of changes in Christianity through the early Enlightenment, the 19th century, and World War. Which aspect of Christianity is more important, convincing, or prominent to you—the unchanging message or the cultural chameleon?2. ModernityWe can define modernity as the emphasis on the common individual’s capacity for reason and free will. Christianity gave rise to modernity by pointing to the internal psychology of the individual as the ultimate judge of truth and authenticity. At the same time, parts of the Christian message also resist modern assumptions—some forms of Christianity see individuals as simply small parts of a larger entity or plan, or they argue that the human will is bound and that human reason is corrupt. Which aspect of Christianity’s relationship to modernity seems more important, convincing, or prominent to you—the supporter of modernity or its opponent?3. PoliticsChristian ideas have been used both to shore up the authority of the powerful and to inspire radical changes on behalf of the poor and marginal. Christians have intervened on both sides in conflicts between imperial nations and their colonies or between local elites and grassroots actors. Christianity can thus be portrayed as either an oppressive force or a liberating one. Which aspect of Christianity seems more important, convincing, or prominent to you? Feel free to talk about these dynamics between different countries, within individual countries, or both.4. GenderChristians have restricted, controlled, and even persecuted women in various ways. At the same time, women have often outnumbered men in Christian congregations. Often, an individual Christian woman may find herself simultaneously empowered and limited by Christian hierarchy, institutions, and ideology. Which aspect of Christianity seems more important, common, or prominent to you—is it a force for recognizing women’s full humanity and equality or a repressive system that continues to promote female submission?