They shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines
and under their own fig trees,
and no one shall make them afraid. Micah 4:3-4
How was land used by the families and social structures of ancient Israel? How did this use of land convey the spirituality of God’s people and help express their understanding of God? This four part Bible study will explore the spirituality of land as a part of the creation theology of the Hebrew Bible. We will focus on four passages representing a variety approaches to how land was understood, utilised, and preserved in ancient Israel, as a part of the social context of the extended family, as an object of political will, and as an expression of spirituality. Participants will learn hands-on methods for reading biblical texts and guided interpretative strategies for drawing analogies to issues about land – its sacred nature, its use and abuse, its role in our own spirituality – in today’s context.
Led by The Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls
Pat is Minister in Association with Trinity Presbyterian Church in Burnaby and New Westminster. She retired as Professor of Hebrew Bible and Dean of the Faculty at Vancouver School of Theology in 2021; her career included publication of five books and numerous articles as well speaking at academic and professional conferences. She continues an active teaching and preaching ministry offering sermons, adult education courses, retreats, workshops, and lectures.
REGSITER AT:
signup@standrewswesley.com
