Alpha Study Group Blog

Author Elizabeth Gilbert discusses creativity and what the Greeks called a “daemon”, the Romans called a genius”. The creative moment when you are touched by God.

Worth the 20 minute watch.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been arguing over several theological issues and ordination standards for quite some time. Without doubt, the most energy has been spent over the ordination of gay and lesbian persons. Significant minorities exist in the church who feel passionately about these issues, and successive General Assemblies have been unable to resolve them.

With hope of finding a way forward through these and other areas of conflict, the 2001 General Assembly approved the formation of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church, to be appointed by the current and two previous moderators of the General Assembly.

A diverse group of twenty people met three times annually in three-day meetings over a period of four years, completing their work with the unanimous adoption of their report and recommendations in August 2005, for presentation to the General Assembly in June 2006.

The General Assembly made some amendments to the report and adopted recommendations 1–4 by an 87 percent vote and recommendations 5–6 by a 57 percent vote. No constitutional changes were recommended.

In this study, the first session will focus on the biblical and theological section of the report, which the General Assembly commended to the church for study and reflection. The second session will deal with the work of the task force as specified in its mandate: Christology, biblical authority and interpretation, ordination standards, and power. Because the task force discovered that their oneness in Christ was more important than their disagreements, they have invited the church to enter a season of discernment in which those who differ on issues might come together for study, prayer, and discernment, using the processes that were so helpful and meaningful to it.

Gene Hatfield will lead this discussion.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been arguing over several theological issues and ordination standards for quite some time. Without doubt, the most energy has been spent over the ordination of gay and lesbian persons. Significant minorities exist in the church who feel passionately about these issues, and successive General Assemblies have been unable to resolve them.

With hope of finding a way forward through these and other areas of conflict, the 2001 General Assembly approved the formation of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church, to be appointed by the current and two previous moderators of the General Assembly.

A diverse group of twenty people met three times annually in three-day meetings over a period of four years, completing their work with the unanimous adoption of their report and recommendations in August 2005, for presentation to the General Assembly in June 2006.

The General Assembly made some amendments to the report and adopted recommendations 1–4 by an 87 percent vote and recommendations 5–6 by a 57 percent vote. No constitutional changes were recommended.

In this study, the first session will focus on the biblical and theological section of the report, which the General Assembly commended to the church for study and reflection. The second session will deal with the work of the task force as specified in its mandate: Christology, biblical authority and interpretation, ordination standards, and power. Because the task force discovered that their oneness in Christ was more important than their disagreements, they have invited the church to enter a season of discernment in which those who differ on issues might come together for study, prayer, and discernment, using the processes that were so helpful and meaningful to it.

Gene Hatfield will lead this discussion.

Most Christians, if asked, would state that Paul took three journeys to spread his understanding of Christ to the Gentile world. But if pushed to provide an itinerary for each of these missions, most persons would have difficulty issuing a response. Biblical scholars continue to debate the chronology of Paul’s career and how to reconcile apparent contradictions between Paul’s letters and the accounts found in the Acts of the Apostles.

This study will attempt to blend the itineraries found in Acts with Paul’s own words, noting the conflicts when they occur. Participants will deepen their understanding of some of the important communities Paul visited and their issues, which all agree Paul encountered. In addition, cultural and architectural places of interest where Paul and his colleagues traveled are shared.

Bob Stevens will lead this discussion.

Most Christians, if asked, would state that Paul took three journeys to spread his understanding of Christ to the Gentile world. But if pushed to provide an itinerary for each of these missions, most persons would have difficulty issuing a response. Biblical scholars continue to debate the chronology of Paul’s career and how to reconcile apparent contradictions between Paul’s letters and the accounts found in the Acts of the Apostles.

This study will attempt to blend the itineraries found in Acts with Paul’s own words, noting the conflicts when they occur. Participants will deepen their understanding of some of the important communities Paul visited and their issues, which all agree Paul encountered. In addition, cultural and architectural places of interest where Paul and his colleagues traveled are shared.

Bob Stevens will lead this discussion.

Most Christians, if asked, would state that Paul took three journeys to spread his understanding of Christ to the Gentile world. But if pushed to provide an itinerary for each of these missions, most persons would have difficulty issuing a response. Biblical scholars continue to debate the chronology of Paul’s career and how to reconcile apparent contradictions between Paul’s letters and the accounts found in the Acts of the Apostles.

This study will attempt to blend the itineraries found in Acts with Paul’s own words, noting the conflicts when they occur. Participants will deepen their understanding of some of the important communities Paul visited and their issues, which all agree Paul encountered. In addition, cultural and architectural places of interest where Paul and his colleagues traveled are shared.

Bob Stevens will lead this discussion.

“Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). These familiar words are on the lips of a bride addressing her groom somewhere every Saturday in this country. Their beauty expresses such a depth of determination, dedication, commitment, and love that they seem so appropriate for a wedding. For those who don’t know the story, it may come as a surprise that Ruth addresses these words not to her husband but to Naomi—her mother-in-law! The love of a Moabite woman for her Jewish mother-in-law has become a precious, instructive model for our most intimate relationship.

Rick Riggle will lead this discussion.

Michelle Fidalgo will lead a study of this important Queen.

What is this collection of books? Why are they “neither fish nor fowl”? – Part 2

Rick Riggle will walk us through this topic.

What is this collection of books? Why are they “neither fish nor fowl”?

Rick Riggle will walk us through this topic.