The St. James’ Reads Winter/Spring 2023 Session challenges us to dive into scriptures of the New Testament anew. This re-introduction to the New Testament is shaped by the readings that we will hear in church over the course of this year. While we will dash through much of the New Testament, we will go more in-depth with the texts that dominate the dialogue in our worship services, namely Matthew, John, and Romans. Read along with us, and join us for as many of the Sunday Morning Forum discussions as you can. From time to time, we will use the technique of staged readings to hear a text anew, and we will have a couple special guests who will teach in their area of research and passion.
In addition to the New Testament texts, Judy Fentress-Williams’ book, Holy Imagination: A Literary and Theological Introduction to the Whole Bible, will be our primary reading resource. However, we will also use parts of the following:
When in Romans: An Invitation to Linger with the Gospel according to Paul, by Beverly Roberts Gaventa.
The Fourfold Gospel: A Theological Reading of the New Testament Portraits of Jesus, by Francis Watson.
The Moral Vision of the New Testament: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics, by Richard B. Hays.
You will probably want to purchase a copy of When in Romans. If money is an issue, just ask Rev. Eileen for a copy.
Join us in Founders Hall for the forum or tune in here: https://stjamesaustin.org/calendar/sunday-forum-hour-5/
Here is the schedule for the Forum and the reading guide:
January 8, 2023: A Fourfold Gospel
Readings: Watson, 1-22; Fentress-Williams, 233-244
January 15, 2023: Mark: I Open at the Close
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 256-264; Bonus Reading (if you have time): Hayes, 73-92
January 22, 2023: Matthew: The Identity Remix
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 245-255; Read Matthew’s gospel!
January 29, 2023: Matthew: Training for the Kingdom of Heaven
Readings: Hayes (Matthew section), 93-111; If you haven’t finished reading the gospel, you know what to do.
February 5, 2023: Luke-Acts: Liberation through the Power of the Spirit
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 265-275; Hayes, 112-137
February 12, 2023: John: The Word and the World
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 276-285; Hayes 138-157
February 19, 2023: John: Dialogues with the Word
Readings: If you haven’t finished reading John’s gospel, you know what to do.
February 26, 2023: Paul: When in Romans
Readings: Gaventa, 1-74
March 5, 2023: Paul: When in Romans
Readings: Gaventa, 75-128
March 12, 2023: Romans: A Staged Reading w/ Audience Response
Readings: The Letter to the Romans
March 19, 2023: Paul as Pastor: The Corinthian Correspondence
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 310-322, 1& 2 Corinthians
March 26, 2023: Gal-ations: Is it a Guy Thing? Women in Conversation with Paul
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 323-326, 334-336, 341-343; Lewis’ article on Philemon
April 2 & 9, 2023: No Forum because of Palm Sunday and Easter Day.
April 16, 2023: Paul Might Say: Colossians and Ephesians
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 337-340, 327-333
April 23, 2023: Paul Might Say: The Pastoral Letters (1 Tim, 2 Tim, Titus)
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 347-355
April 30, 2023: Hebrews: Enter into the Promise
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 358-361
May 7, 2023: Finding the Gospel in James
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 362-364
May 14, 2023: Wee Little Bookies: 1-2 Peter, Jude, 1-3 John
Readings: Fentress-Williams, 365-375
May 21, 2023: Revelation: Resisting the Beast
Readings: Hayes, 169-185
May 28, 2023: No Forum because of preparations for the Pentecost Party