EXPLORING THE BIG IDEAS

St John the Baptist Anglican Church
is one where
it is okay to ask
any question,
no matter
how radical - or
how simple.

2008 Tuesday 24 June for 6 weeks.. 7.30pm in St Jude's Room

Cate will explore with us Marcus Borg's book "The Heart of Christianity" All welcome. The second set of 6 discussions will follow later in the year. The book is available at public libraries.

Karen Armstrong's

"A HISTORY OF GOD"

The evolution of concepts of God across millenia.

"When Jesus Became God"

3rd-4th century conflicts and the resulting doctrinal positions in the light of modern Jewish scholarship.

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"The Once and Future Faith"
Jesus Seminar findings now published. A six week exploration and discussion.

"WHY CHRISTIANITY MUST CHANGE OR DIE"

That is the title of a book by American Bishop, John Spong, which formed the basis of a study course in the parish. Other books chosen in recent years include

• A Vision to Pursue, by Keith Ward,
• Who Killed Jesus? by John Dominic Crossan
• Liberating the Gospels: Reading the Bible through Jewish Eyes by John Spong.

These courses attract people from outside the Parish, including a number who have become disillusioned with the church because they felt they were expected to hold beliefs they could no longer give assent to.

SEA OF FAITH NETWORK

There is a link between St Johns and the Sea of Faith Network. The NZ SOFN was established in 1993, on the lines of the UK movement. It is an informal association of people, many of whom feel that they have been marginalised by the Christian Church. It provides a forum in which religious/spiritual issues can be explored in an open and constructive way.

CHRISTIANS AND JEWS

The Vicar and several members of St Johns are actively involved in the Council of Christians and Jews. This is a movement which aims to enable Jews and Christians to understand their common heritage and appreciate one another's distinctive beliefs and practices. The Vicar was formerly Christian Co-President of the Auckland CCJ, and one his parishioners is the current Christian-Co-President.

The NZ Council of Christians and Jews publishes a journal Massah, twice a year, and the Auckland Council organises five public meetings a year on subjects as varied as Business Ethics: Jewish and Christian Perspectives, The Legacy of Shylock and Fagin, and Introducing Jewish Authors. It has an annual joint meeting with the Council of Christians and Muslims.