God and Empire
Summer 2007 Bible Study

The Great Apocolypse of John

"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

Again, the Scripture Study group found itself raised out of the basement into The Church. A turnout of 20 something (in numbers, not age) surpassed the critical mass, and the lack of a facilitator did not stifle the spirited discussion. One diligent scholar brought us excerpts from Bruce Metzger's Book, "The New Testament, Its Background, Growth, and Content", relating to The Book of Revelation. Thanks, Vi. Metzger calls the Jewish and Christian apocalypses "tracts for bad times". Unlike prior writings in which bad things happen to bad people as a result of God's wrath, these books acknowledge that bad things happen to good people, and especially that bad thing happen to people because they are good, because of their undying faith in God. These good people will not be permitted to suffer unjustly, though; they will have their reward in a new afterlife, and the unjust will receive their punishment then.

One member compared the confusing imagery of Revelations to those of a dream, where scenes flow into each other without seeming connection, and people pop up from nowhere. Crossan's message in this chapter is that justifying human violence as an extension of divine violence as interpreted out of Revelations is "the crime against divinity, the crime against the Holy Spirit".

It took a near violent intervention in a lively debate with many participants to call the break for treats, but we were rewarded with that classic summertime delight, root beer floats. Thanks, Jane.

When we reconvened, another member who had been reading C.S. Lewis "Chronicles of Narnia" as light bedtime reading, reported her startled discovery in Crossan that C.S. Lewis had recreated the Jesus story. She then gave us a capsule exegesis of the Narnia books and how they paralleled the Gospels and Revelations. Thank you, Claire. Others commented on how J.R.R. Tolkien and Lewis were friends at Oxford and how the Lord of the Rings was also a recasting of scriptural tales.

The discussion continued with reports of a public radio interview of civil rights veterans and their suffering for the cause - being beaten and killed because they believed in equality and justice. Like the Christ, they suffered for staying true to the prophetic message.

Next week: Tuesday, June 26 Crossan, Epilogue together with listening to a recording of Crossan's April presentation at Westminster

No meeting on July 3. July 10 will be the start of Borg and Crossan, "The Last Week" . Books have been ordered and will be available at the book cart on the plaza after Sunday masses and at the first meetings. If you want to reserve a book, contact bob@anthrolaw.com. The price should be around $14.00. New members are always welcome to join the group, even if you cannot attend all the meetings.

Peace,
Bob Beutel
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694

Back to Bible Study Reports
Back