"Called to Question"
Summer 2006 Bible Study

Chapters 3, 4 and 5

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Greetings

The first part of the bible study was enjoyed outdoors. It was nice except for the planes flying overhead every few minutes. Here is what we read and discussed.

Called to Question
August 15, 2006

Begin with a centering exercise

Chapter 3 The facets of God: The author talks about the feminine aspect of God, or the Mother God. She looks at God as less than whole unless God encompasses all possibilities.

On p. 33, the author talks about the maintaining of tradition as a way to sustain a system of power.

In the middle ages men were looked at as being carriers of the only seed of life, yet traditions put into place at that time, based on that idea have not been reexamined.

Her words of comfort: "God is. God is love. God made woman too, in God's own image" (p. 35).

Chapter 4 Mindfulness: The author talks about hell, and her fear of momentarily slipping up only to find herself in the bowels of hell for all eternity. Was this God "laying in wait for her to sin? " (p. 38)

Uncle Lou and Aunt Bert - a "mixed" marriage. Joan discusses the contradictions of this lovely union with what she was learning from the church (p. 39).

Let's read the first paragraph, and the journal quote on page 40 Mindfulness. Where does this fit in? Holly Whitcomb's journal says, "Mindfulness teaches us to be fully aware of each experience, letting nothing remain unnoticed, taking nothing for granted."

Christianity is not the only religion using mindfulness to sense the presence of God in all things. I have a quote for Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist Zen master in his book Zen Keys (p. 26).

"Spiritual journal writing can . . . be a way of discovering what we truly believe, " Elaine Ward " (p. 42). I looked for my own journal quote regarding my new awareness of the largeness of God, but couldn't find it.

Chapter 5 Prayer: The author discusses prayer and the evolution of it's meaning in her life. In so doing, she favors us with exquisite "pictures" and meaning. Here are a few of my favorites:

• 'Prayer and regular spiritual practices serve as a link between this life and the next" (p. 44).
• "When life goes dry, only the memory of God makes life bearable again" (p. 44).
• "I just breathe God in and hope somehow to learn how to breathe God out, as well" (p. 46).
• "It requires that we become the hands of the God we say we have found" (p. 47).

We then gathered inside for the most lovely of lemon coconut cakes you could ever imagine! And note the dedication of the treat bearer who was able to drop off the treats even though circumstance would not allow her to stay for the gathering. Thanks Jean!

We also were able to discuss the following questions...

Questions for reflection (only suggestions):

1. Has God's "gender" made a difference to you? Has it gotten in the way of your belief?
2. When did your perception of God get bigger? Was it gradual, or a big aha moment?
3. What definition of God have you struggled with?
4. Where have you seen tradition used to maintain power? Is this question too easy?
5. What happened to hell? I stopped hearing about it from the pulpit in the 70s. Did clergy and/or theologians get together and say, "Oops, that was a mistake. Let's just not talk about it anymore." Comments?