Conversations with Scripture - Session 1

This past week, March 13, we began a discussion of the book "Conversations with Scripture and with Each Other"by Br. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE. We will endeavor to dig through the book to see how our ancestors of the faith help illuminate our journey through life as members of the Christian Faith.

 

Session 1

 

Discussion of the "Q" Hypothesis

 

"Q"                                                                         Mark

 

 

 

Luke                                                                Matthew

 

 

1. Most likely the Gospels were not written by an individual but by a community or group of people
2. Paul most likely did not write all the Epistles attributed to him
3. Paul's Epistles are sorted by length not chronology
4. The books attributed to Paul are:
1. 1 Thessalonians
2. Galatians
3. Philippians
4. Philemon
5. 1 Corinthians
6. 2 Corinthians
7. Romans

5. The disputed (possibly pseudonymous) letters of Paul are:
1. 2 Thessalonians
2. Colossians
3. Ephesians
4. Titus
5. 1 Timothy
6. 2 Timothy

6. Most likely, the Gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; and the Revelation of John were written by different people

 

Question 1: Why are you particularly grateful for the community of the church?

Question 2: How does the fact that Scripture is typically written for a community by a community impact the way we understand Scripture?

 

Observation 1: The Authors of the Gospels and Paul could not have conceived of a relationship with God outside the context of a community. How does that impact the way we should enter Scripture?

Observation 2: While agreement may be the ideal, talking with others over the points of disagreement in faith helps bring unity. How does that observation impact the way we live together as a community?

 

The Way Ahead

1. Read Chapter 2
2. Glance at Chapters 3 - 11 and determine which, if any, are most compelling to you