© Diocese of Guildford 2011Bible in Conflict

Session 4The Bible in Conflict

© Diocese of Guildford 2011Bible in Conflict

Session 4Bible in Conflict

© Diocese of Guildford 2011Bible in Conflict

Roots of Faith

Looking at the main foundations of Christian Faith– The Bible– Tradition– Reason– Experience

Five sessions1. Encountering Jesus2. Encountering Passover3. Encountering God in the Bible4. The Bible in Conflict5. The Bible – so what?

© Diocese of Guildford 2011Bible in Conflict

Keys

• Key Point

– The Bible , tradition and reason all reveal and help to solve conflict

• Key Skill

– Listening

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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 2011Bible 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 2011Bible 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 2011Bible 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)

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Coffee Break

How do I feel about the way the Bible challenges my way of life?

© Diocese of Guildford 2011Bible 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 2011Bible 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

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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 2011Bible 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 2011Bible 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