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The Once And Future Bible: A Critical Look At A Cultural Icon
A Westar Religious Literacy Seminar
The Bible is the most influential and powerful book in the history of Western civilization, but how much do we really know about it? Where did it come from, really? Does it speak to modern issues, like gay marriage or abortion? And if not, is there still a place for the Bible in a world that grows wary of sectarian claims about unfettered access to God's own words? Stephen J. Patterson, co-founder of the Westar Institute's new Bible Seminar, will lead you into the most unusual conversation you may have ever had about this cultural icon.
LECTURE
Creating the Bible
How did the Bible come to be? Who wrote it? Who decided what would be in
it? Just how old is it? How did people come to think of it as infallible?
The Bible is the most powerful book in the western world. But how did this
happen? And what will happen to this book of books in the brave new digital
world? In 20 years will there still be a book called the Bible?
Friday, 7:30–9 P.M.
WORKSHOPS
Using and Abusing the Bible
The Bible is deployed today in every manner of cultural dispute, from family values to the death penalty. It is the nuclear weapon in the culture wars. But what does the Bible really say about these issues if anything. Can careful study of the Bible disarm it for safer, saner uses?
Saturday, 9:30–noon
Understanding the Bible
How then shall we live with a sacred text that comes to us from a world so far removed in time and space, that speaks its own language to its own issues? Do we need a new Bible? Can the old Bible still serve a function in today's world? If so, how?
Saturday, 1:15–4 P.M.
FACULTY
Stephen Patterson is the Atkinson Professor of Religious and Ethical Studies at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and chair of the Jesus Seminar on Christian Origins. He has published widely on the Gospel of Thomas, including the Q-Thomas reader from Polebridge. His latest book is Beyond the Passion: Rethinking the Death and Life of Jesus (2004).
SPONSOR
Sponsored by Advocates for Religious Literacy in Florida in cooperation with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, its Rose Frank Memorial Lecture Series, and its Freethinkers.
ALL EVENTS AT
Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota
3975 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34232
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To register by mail or fax, use the printable registration form.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Westar Institute
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97301
tollfree (877) 523-3545, (503) 375-5324 fax
events@westarinstitute.orgor
In Sarasota:
David Ryan
d2mryan@verizon.net
(941) 365-4027