Hi everyone,
Welcome to U3A Course R09.? While Term 1 will run by Zoom, my hope is that by Term 2 of 2021, vaccines and other advances will enable us to confidently resume in-person classes in the city.
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We take an entire book of the Bible at a time, presenting the overall context and any relevant historical, archaeological, prophetic, and other background information as we go verse-by-verse through each book.? Where useful, the NKJV text is contrasted with other translations, which may lead to examining some of the original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek) to enable you to determine for yourself what meanings to favour.? Along the way, we may also look at the many types of "codes" in the Bible, sometimes in plain sight and sometimes carefully hidden. In fact, the course is designed to enable participants to read and understand the Bible themselves.? This is not a "religious" course and does not "push" any religion, denomination, or dogma; the focus is on allowing the Bible to speak for itself which the Word of God does admirably well.
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Please don't get the impression from the above paragraph that this is an academically challenging course.? It isn't; it's not academic at all.? The Bible was written to be understood by everyone (with eyes to see and ears to hear).? In fact, public education was invented so that children could learn to read the Bible for themselves.? It's been my experience that when someone approaches the Bible with an open mind, the Bible opens up to them.
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Here's where I should mention that I'm neither priest, pastor, reverend, imam, monk, nor guru.? I'm simply a "civilian" who loves this awesome one-of-a-kind book.? Over the years R09 has had participants with doctorates in theology and the like, including retired clergy, who've enjoyed the course along with some who've not read the Bible at all and all sorts in between.? We?post all course notes (and links to any videos or other resources) on our unofficial website.? We also have a discussion board for internal communications and questions that may arise from time-to-time.
I currently intend to cover the book of Lamentations and the First and Second Letters to Timothy this term.? Lamentations is little studied by Christians. It is largely considered to be a dark and challenging paean on the Fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonians, but when we've finished I trust that you will see that is an exquisitely crafted poetic masterpiece.? For all of its legitimate focus on pain, heartbreak, sorrow, and sadness, it is interspersed with prayers and cries for restoration.? Some of you may also see how timely this study is for events in the world today: for example, just this month we witnessed the USA, protector of the West, abandon representative democracy to become an oligarchy in thrall to global powerbrokers, whom the Bible prophesies will rule in the Last Days (World Government).? Just as Judah abandoned God so God abandoned it to Babylon, so too the USA is now paying the price.? But Lamentations is not so much depressing as it is thought-provoking, and you should gain a lot out from our study.
We'll then take on Paul's definitive letters on the early Christian church, his 1st and 2nd letters to Timothy.? With so many voices today calling for a return to the 1st Century Church, it should be instructive to see what the 1st Century Church really was.? We've previously studied Titus and Philemon, so this will complete our study of Paul's pastoral epistles.
To unenroll from this class discussion board, follow the link on the bottom of this post or send me an email.? Thank you for your past participation.
Zoom instructions are attached.
Blessings,
Ray
Ray Sarlin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
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Topic: U3A R09 What the Bible is About
Time: Jan 28, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:30, every week on Thursday for ten occurrences
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Ray