This three-week class in January of 2013 addresses several difficult passages in the Bible. We will meet on January 13, 20, and 27 at 9:30 a.m.
The two main issues that will occupy our attention are Paul’s attitude toward women and biblical pronouncements on physical relationships between people of the same sex. In both cases we will struggle with a two edged question about the Bible’s function in the church. What happens if we take these passages as normative, and what happens if we reject them?
Throughout the history of Christianity, the Bible has been used to do both good and evil. Countess great works of art, from paintings to sculpture and architecture, have taken their inspiration from scripture. Movements for justice in social reform have found their grounding in the Hebrew prophets and the words of Jesus, yet this same Bible has often served to condemn others, to silence voices of dissent, and to subjugate the oppressed. This class will look at some of the passages used in this way and explore more creative and affirming options for reading scripture.
- Sunday, January 13, 2013
- Sunday, January 20, 2013: Part One; Part Two
- Sunday, January 27, 2013
During the week, feel free to check the blog for further discussion.