Several of us met up for the first 'evening conversation' on (re-)reading the Bible last Sunday evening. A fabulous conversation, in my opinion, very thoughtful and a nice gentle way of getting our thoughts, anxieties, aspirations etc 'out there'.

Well, the next evening conversation is almost upon us - tomorrow evening, Thursday 31 January, 8.30pm, at our place. I know it's a tad of a late start for a 'school night', but there you go, some of us have got responsibilities with children first of all. Let me know if you're coming and I'll get the kettle on.

The subject this time around will take us along these roads …

• Re-Reading the Bible (2)
  • What is this text?
    • What kind of text is the Bible?
    • What should we bear in mind in approaching it?
    • The world 'behind the text' - history, authors and context
    • The world 'within the text' - editors, narrative and argumentation
    • The world 'in front of the text' - readers and responses
  • Reading, interpreting and community
    • What happens to us as we read?
    • What influences the way we read?
    • How can we read 'in community'?

Hope that whets some appetites for a fun and stimulating evening.

And just to give you a full run down, here's what's coming up on future evenings, with the date for the next one...

3. Re-Reading the Old Testament - SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY, 8.30pm
   • The Story of Israel
4. Re-Reading the New Testament
   • A Jewish Story
5. Reading the Bit In Between
   • Inter-testamental angst
6. Re-Reading the Bible (3)
   • Reading the whole story
7. Reading After the Bible
   • Creeds, Councils, Canon and consequences
8. Reading the Bible Through History
   • Old battles and new ones
   • Shallow debates and deep wisdom

And if there's still an appetite after that for more, then we'll do further evenings on …

• scripture and culture;
• scripture and politics;
• scripture and philosophy;
• scripture and theology;
• scripture and ethics.

and maybe other stuff besides.