Unitarian & Free Christian Bible Discussion

 Our Bible Discussion on Monday 31st October 6.30pm will be led by Rob Oulton. All Welcome: Moses and the Burning Bush. Exodus - Ch.3, 1-14. After millennia, one of the most well-known Biblical Stories still crackles with the energy we see portrayed in the vivid image of the burning bush; divine energy that will power the foundational drama of the Jewish nation, in its liberation from slavery in Egypt. But it’s also a portrait of a person coming face to face with their destiny and discovering, however reluctantly, their life’s vocation. And does the energy of the burning bush reveal also the pure ‘beingness’ of a God who self-names as ‘I am’; pure immanence, containing past, present, and future? Come and share your response and ideas about this familiar and strange story, but remember to take off your shoes – this is Holy Ground! Painting: 'Moses and the Burning Bush' by Marc Chagall, 1966   Zoom link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367...?fbclid=IwAR0moCDlue6J9iylxw8Ggy4Rv

  Alex Bradley will lead our discussion this coming Monday … The parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25.31-46 and the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man in Luke 16.19-31 are two of the most powerful and moving gospel stories about our responsibility to others. They are also challenging in speaking of eternal fire and torment. What did Jesus mean by these parables? Did he believe in eternal hellfire? Are these the exact words (ipsissima verba) of Jesus? Did he even speak these words and if he did, what difference does that make to us (if any)? Could there even be a relevant ‘social action’ message for those non-Christians or atheists who do not believe in either God or immortality? These are some issues we might discuss in our discussion hour at 6.30 this coming Monday, 24th. Meeting begins at 6.30pm and the Zoom details are as follows Link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367 Meeting ID:823 7804 2367 Passcode: 460019

This Monday, Francis will be leading a discussion on.... The Seven Churches of Revelation In the first chapter of the book of Revelation, John has a vision of Jesus. In the second and third chapters he describes how Jesus gives a message from heaven to 7 churches. Nearly all commentators believe these verses describe actual churches from the 1st century. However, many Christians believe this passage has a a second, larger meaning, because each of the 7 churches is described as having certain characteristics, some good, some bad. One interpretation sees these seven historic churches as also representing the seven ages of the church (overall), from its beginning up until the end times when Jesus returns. Some of these ages were glorious, some were shameful*. The other, more popular interpretation says that as well as referring to historical churches, the 7 churches of Revelation represent 7  types  of church, tendencies or characteristics. All churches anywhere are said to fall into one

Cressida Pryor will lead discussion on Monday 10th October around the 23rd Psalm.  Meeting begins at 6.30pm and the Zoom details are as follows Link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367 Meeting ID:823 7804 2367 Passcode: 460019

 The topic for Bible discussion on Monday 3rd October at 6.30 pm, led by Bill Darlison. All welcome. Zoom link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367 Meeting ID:823 7804 2367 Passcode: 460019                                 Jesus' Strange Journey In Mark 7:31, Jesus is shown making an extraordinary journey. Most translators twist the Greek a bit to make it make sense but literally translated the verse says: 'And having left the region of Tyre he came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee up through the middle of the region of the Decapolis.' (Follow the route on the map below) Why would Jesus take such a roundabout route to the Sea of Galilee? (It's been compared with travelling from London to Cornwall via Manchester!) Does it show that Mark didn't know the geography of the Holy Land too well? Why do Matthew and Luke not mention this journey? Possible discussion topics: Can the biblical authors make mistakes? Are you aware of any? If there are mistakes in the Bible,