general assembly 2006 bible studies
August 17, 2006
In response to a number of requests, I’ve published my three studies on the theme of “Grace”, which I did for the United Reformed General Assembly 2006 last month. They are in the “pages” section. They can also be found on the Windermere Centre website - probably in more readable form! Cutting and pasting in this programme generates all sorts of layout difficulties, as you’ll see: when I have more time, I shall have a fifth go at getting the layout perfect!
I take three familiar Lukan passages or blocks, and look at how a failure to understand grace makes them appear far less radical than they are. My basic thesis is that we (Christians) actually don’t like grace! It’s unfair, it’s dangerous, and it drives a coach and horses through our settled world of just deserts. The resistance to grace innoculates us against seeing things in these familiar texts that are converting and transformatory. So I look first at Luke’s treatment of Jesus and John the Baptist, under the theme of “The priority of grace over judgement”. The second study is the parable of the Prodigal and his brother, under the theme of “The grace that refuses to disown us”. The final study is Luke’s account of the death of Jesus, and how grace saves us. The theme is “The grace that does not abandon us to the darkness of our choices”.
I’ll welcome any comments you have to make!
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