Power of Scripture in the Public Square

OCTOBER 14 

12-1 p.m. Workshop at Wilshire Baptist Church in the Sanctuary

1-2 p.m. A $10.00 box lunch will be available for those who come in person and wish to continue this conversation with Rev. Butler.

Register below for in person or online attendance. The workshop will be live-streamed. Those who attend in person will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Whether or not you believe that the Bible is inherently political, no one can refute that it is used to support political ends. The Bible is studied and taught to decipher a holy path to making decisions in community about power relationships. What is the role of human beings in the ongoing task of managing the stewardship of God’s Creation, described at the very beginning of the Book of Genesis?

Faith leaders have a great deal of power when we teach Scripture. We know that the same text can lead people in totally divergent directions when it comes to making political decisions. How do we know which way is right? And how do we accept the truth and sacred responsibility of teaching Scripture in a manner that reflects God’s love for us and all Creation?

Our answers to these questions are shaped in large measure by how we read the Bible. Reverend Jennifer Butler, the CEO of Faith in Public Life, has been on the front lines of faith-based organizing and activism. Recently she published a book entitled “Who Stole My Bible: Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for Resisting Tyranny.”  During her time with us she will help us explore our attitudes and assumptions about how we read the Bible, and push us to think about how we might best use our power as students, teachers and preachers of Scripture.