How United Methodists Study Scripture

by Catherine Gunsalus González, Ben Witherington III

This new series of books challenges United Methodists to engage in life-transforming practices. Each book explains a theme and underscores major emphases within the United Methodist denomination:

* How should I read and study the Bible?
* How should I pray and engage in my devotional life?
* How can I reach out and share my faith?

Each adult study is divided into four sections with suggestions for group discussion, and can be completed in 4 to 8 sessions. No leader's guide is needed. In the 4 chapters of this book four authors contribute with different emphases to the process of Bible study and interpretation. Catherine Gonzalez's chapter summarizes the roles of the Bible in the periods of the early church, the early and later Middle Ages, and the Protestant Reformation. The chapter by Ben Witherington concentrates on the Bible in early Methodism, focusing on John Wesley, Francis Asbury and Richard Watson. Dr. Tilson's chapter addresses issues of contemporary scriptural study and interpretation, emphasizing the significance of historical context. Gayle Carlton Felton's concluding chapter investigates distinctively United Methodist approaches to and uses of the Bible.

124 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

Reviews

[Amanda Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for a class at church. There are four different authors for the four chapters, and I was really impressed with three out of the four. The third chapter was over my head, and of course that's the Sunday I had to miss the class! As a new Methodist, I found this a good primer to provide a quick overview of some of the history and theological thinking surrounding Scripture in the Methodist tradition.