Bible Study

Jacksons Grove UMC of Landrum

 

 

Harvey Cox’s recent book is a very imaginative approach to the study of Jesus' life that is different from most.  It offers a fresh approach to understanding Jesus while at the same time providing a novel way of addressing issues of moral and ethical import that we face every day. Using an open forum approach, we will spend the next few Bible Study sessions in dialog about it.  If you have not read the book or if you would like to obtain a copy please let me know and we will order a copy of it for you.  Our study will be structured so that one would not be left out of the conversation if one had not read the work, but it would make for a much more lively discussion.  Contact Rev. Mike Bowers at 864-439-0020, 864-587-4220 or by email at bowe7551@bellsouth.net  if you would like your own copy so that it can be secured!  The Contents page of the book is printed below.

  

Contents

Introduction  I

1. He Was Then, We Are Now  14

2. Rabbi Jesus on the Scene  23

3. A World Full of Stories  32

 

I / STORIES THEY TOLD ABOUT HIM

4. The Ballad of the Begats  49

5. Picking Just the Right Woman  57

6. Exiles from Eden  66

7. The Gurus and the Usual Suspects  75

8. Riffing on Simeon  85

9. Beat the Devil  93

10. The Campaign Begins  106

 

II / STORIES HE TOLD

11. Jesus Retells His People's Story  117

12. Salt and Lamps  128

13. The Rabbi Teaches Torah  138

14. Parables and Zen Slaps  154

15. The Crooked CEO and the Spoiled Brat  161

16. Why the Crowds Came  169

17. The Armageddon Syndrome  185

 

III / MORE STORIES THEY TOLD ABOUT HIM

18. The Transfiguration and the Prophet's Night Journey  201

19. Bridge Burning and Street Theater  211

20. Trial and Retrial  220

21. Dead Man Walking  228

22. Reason, Emotion, and Torture  237

23. It Had to Be Done  245

24. A World Without God?  259

25. The Easter Story  267

26. The Laughter of the Universe  286

Postscript  295

 

Notes 305

Acknowledgments 317

Index 321