Gospel of Luke
Fall 2006 Bible Study
Luke 3,4,5
Gospel of Luke
Fall 2006 Bible Study
Luke 3,4,5
| "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
It was a cool, if not cold, night, but a goodly number of Bible Study
stalwarts (or is it a number of goodly Bible Study stalwarts?) showed up
anyway in Hospitality Hall to share Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of the Gospel of
Luke. Our stalwart facilitator had obviously devoted many hours to her
preparation, as demonstrated by the depth of the presentation and the
discussion following - no digressions tonight.
After three volunteers had read aloud each of the chapters, our facilitator
led us through a centering prayer based on Luke 5:10 "..."Don't be afraid;
from now on you will catch men."
Then she presented the motifs she discerned in these chapters (as well in
later chapters yet to come): repentance as metanoia, or a turning around
of one's life; the Holy Spirit as God's force to accomplish prophecy and
proclamation and to fight the devil, heal the flesh, and to resist and
overcome the world. Her materials were extensive, but beyond the powers of
your humble scribe to convert into a simple digital format.
The sources which inspired tonight's facilitator Included "What the Bible
Really says about Homosexuality: by Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D; "The Road to
Holocaust" by Hal Lindsay; "What Else Would You Like to Know About the
Church?" by Father Kenneth J. Ryan; and "The How-to Book of the Bible:
Everything You Need to Know But No One Ever Taught You" by Karl A. Schultz.
Although the facilitator advocates a literal interpretation of the readings,
she made clear the difficulties presented by the text, and emphasized that
the Evangelists were not journalists or chroniclers; that inspired much
discussion about who knew what and when did they find out about it; for
instance, if the voice from heaven was heard only by Jesus, how did Luke,
who was not present with Jesus, hear about this manifestation and write
about it 50 or 60 years after it occurred? Thanks, Julie.
Treat time was observed, of course, highlighted with Halloween themed
cookies and cupcakes, together with the traditional church basement decaf
coffee and apple cider. As usual, wonderful conversations had to be cut
short to resume the discussion of Luke's Gospel which ran past the 9:00
deadline, a sign of true dedication.
Among announcements made by members was that of the Minnesota Energy
Challenge at
www.mnenergychallenge.com/challenge/ which is notable because it discloses
that St. Joan of Arc leads the congregation category (of the whole state!)
in carbon reduction.
Thanks Bob for keeping us in the loop!
Luke chapters 6, 7, and 8
In the peace that transcends all peace
Next Week: Tuesday, October 31 (yes, it's Halloween)
Namaste'
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694