STUDY RESOURCES
WHO WROTE THE BIBLE? A PowerPoint with audio designed for individual study or a group discussion. If you've never thought about this question, it would be well worth doing so.
We really have to stop pretending, for example, that the gospels are verbatim records of what Jesus actually said. He didn't write them, dictate them, approve them or ever read them. They were written in a language he didn't speak, 40-70 years later by authors in cities hundreds of miles away who weren't there at the time. We don't have any 'original' manuscripts or underlying sources. They are different versions of his story 'according to Mark' etc., for an audience in their own time and place, carefully crafted and edited. They don't all say the same thing. And they were written after Paul's letters, not before, reflecting what had happened since, including the creation of a 'Christian Church' about which Jesus knew nothing and which was never his intention. He lived and died a Jew.
That's just one example of the rethinking we have to do if we are to rescue the Bible from irrelevant archaic obscurity. What you have always assumed, or been told, may not be true. Does it matter? I think so because so much is sometimes claimed that has no factual basis. Let's at least be honest about what we do know, and what we don't. And then think about how we should use the Bible today. Not taking it all 'literally' may actually make it more relevant, not less.
My participation in a meeting by Zoom is currently available on request. Be brave. Think about it..
Microsoft Power Point presentation [58.2 MB]
The FREE STUDY NOTES below give you all you need to facilitate a study day/weekend or a series of group meetings, alongside reading this classic book from 1963. together. It is still easily available second hand. CONTACT ME if you'd like me to share in the discussion with you, either in person or by email or Zoom!
Adobe Acrobat document [488.8 KB]
Adobe Acrobat document [376.2 KB]
WELCOME
I have now retired from my school attendance training role.
This website now reflects only my other interest: Can Christianity and its central figure mean anything to those who are not convinced that conventional ideas of 'God' and religion take us where we need to go as modern, thoughtful human beings?
On this page you'll find details of how to purchase my book 'The Apostate's Creed'.
NOT YOUR USUAL SERMON is a short humanist reflection on one of the following Sunday's Bible passages in the Common Lectionary.
Plus here you'll find a PowerPoint (with audio) on 'Who wrote the Bible'?; discussion notes on the classic book from the 1960s, ''Honest to God' and my own studies on the Psalms from 2011, 'Walking without God'. These are all free.
Friendly FEEDBACK is always very welcome. Please let me know if you have found my ideas interesting and helpful.
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