© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Session 4 The Bible in Conflict

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Session 4 Bible in Conflict

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Roots of Faith Looking at the main foundations of Christian Faith –The Bible –Tradition –Reason –Experience Five sessions 1.Encountering Jesus 2.Encountering Passover 3.Encountering God in the Bible 4.The Bible in Conflict 5.The Bible – so what?

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Keys Key Point –The Bible, tradition and reason all reveal and help to solve conflict Key Skill –Listening

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Today How do I see the Bible? The Bible speaks to today’s Issues –Poverty Coffee break! Today’s issues speak to the Bible –Feminism How might I see the Bible? Wrap up

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict How do I see the Bible? Which image works for you? The Bible is a map –showing you the way The Bible is a handbook –instructions for living a good life The Bible is a book of stories –about God's dealings with people The Bible is God's word –the way I hear God's voice The Bible is a starting point –asks me lots of questions

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict The Bible speaks to today’s issues Poverty A “bias for the poor” comes through in particular passages –Ps 82:3 - defend the weak, Is 61:1 - good news to the poor, –Amos 5:11 - you trample on the poor –Mt 19:21 - sell your possessions and give to the poor and in the larger biblical stories –in the OT the small and persecuted nation of Israel is rescued from rich and powerful Egypt –in the NT God's Son mixes with 'sinners' and the marginalised of society throughout his ministry

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict The Bible speaks to today’s issues Poverty continued discussion Does giving money shelter us from direct action? Are ‘the poor’ seen as in the developing world or in our own streets? How can/does ‘my church’ get engaged? What about me? Is the Micah challenge about BIG issues or about daily living? (See Handout 1)

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Coffee Break How do I feel about the way the Bible challenges my way of life?

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Today’s issues speak to the Bible - Feminism A biblical view? A cultural view? A conflict? An approach? How best can we let today’s issues speak to our understanding of the Bible?

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Today’s issues speak to the Bible - Feminism Either read and discuss Handout 2 Introduction to Feminist Theology or Read Handout 3 Women in Romans and discuss the questions provided

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Reflect On what other issues should society listen to the Bible today? On what issues should the Bible listen to society today?

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict How might I see the Bible? The Bible is a map –showing you the way The Bible is a handbook –instructions for living a good life The Bible is a book of stories –about God's dealings with people The Bible is God's word –the way I hear God's voice The Bible is a starting point –asks me lots of questions

© Diocese of Guildford 2011 Bible in Conflict Wrap-Up Reflection Continued –How does this session influence my thoughts on the topic I have chosen? Reflection Topics –‘Criticise’ another Bible book –Re-write a parable –Bible and contemporary society –Bible reading, my approach –Encountering Jesus in the Bible Feedback For Next Week: –Read Genesis 1:1-2:3 Close