This group meets on Monday evenings in a relaxed atmosphere to discuss new ideas and study material in contemporary Christian theology from such authors such as Geering, Borg, Brueggermann and Spong. The format is to meet over a coffee, view or review material and then discuss its implications for concerned Christians in the 21st century. Studies generally run for a number of successive weeks (5-8), then a gap for a few weeks and then a further series starts. People are therefore able to join for individual evenings or the whole series.
The material being considered may be from books, articles or DVDs. The series "Living the Questions" has proved to be particularly stimulating and an alternative to ALPHA offered by others. The group has considered the DVDs in this series including 'Living the Questions', 'Saving Jesus' and 'Countering Pharaoh'.
A key study in 08 was "Countering Pharaoh" featuring Walter Brueggemann. This series challenges our production/consumption economics with its emphasis on acquisitive economics. Pharoah is characterised as a system in which slaves produce wealth for other people.
As a special event, a guest speaker will be invited to present a series of lectures on a week day evening. Previously these have included Professor Lloyd Geering, Helen Beaumont from the Office for the Commission for the Environment, David Lowe a scientist from NIWA. These will be advertised well in advance, with detail posted on our News and Events Page.
Faith Explorers meet in the Luke Chapel and Lounge on Monday evenings starting at 7:30 pm and close by 9:30. To find out what is being studied currently or if between series, the next series to start, consult the News page or send an email to Faith Explorers.
In 2008 we studied and reviewed:
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"On The Bible" by Karen Armstrong published in 2007.
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"Countering Pharaoh" a DVD series from Living the Questions series
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"Mary Magdalene, Partner or Prostitue: An in-depth study of the transformation of Mary Magdalene in church history"
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"My God" TV series with Chris Nicol