Anabapt-ish Theology Book Club discussion
April 2021 - Her Gates Will...
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First Book Selection!
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This is a great book. I’ll reread (or skim) it and look forward to good discussion.I’m actually preaching at my church next week; we are talking about how our view of God must be shaped by Jesus (Cross Vision) and I am focusing on eschatology. God in the future is still the God revealed in Jesus. I plan to quote this book!
Yes, a good book indeed! This was one of the first books I read that began to shift my eschatology towards a more Christ-like end. I love Brad's hopefull position on universal restoration too!
Mod
Luke - Glad to hear that this book made an impact! I'm seeing that a good number/of folks in the group have read this one already. Maybe next month we'll plan on a deeper cut and then alternate back to more of the Anabapt-ish staples.
Ha, will do!Its incredibly relevant- who is God? I mean, I’ve often heard Christians say that the first time Jesus came it was love enemies and peace but when he returns he’s going to kick butt. This ties right in with Jesus and John Wayne - we want a nice Jesus to get us to heaven and a John Wayne to destroy our enemies. Revelation is, and has been, used to justify violence and nullify the Jesus of the Gospels.
This even ties in to the killer in Atlanta. The church he attended just did a sermon on how when Jesus returns he’ll kill all his enemies (and your enemies, presumably):
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religi...
I am not blaming that church. But how we speak of God does shape not just how we will live, but will influence those listening. Sure, most who think God will violently return would never employ violence in the name of God. But some will.
All that to say, I think this will be a good discussion. :)
This sounds great. Thank you. How does it work? I will read the book of course. Then is it led conversation here or do we just pick out things we like about the book and talk about them? Thanks
I am just starting the book, I have read Brad before just not this book and look forward to leaning into dicussions!
Mod
Hey Stephen, I'm open to feedback but this is structure I was dreaming up after looking over some other groups.
We'll have 5 discussions underneath each Folder/Book
1) Pre-Reading - Introducing the topic of the book, engaging a bit with the topic before we jump in (essentially what is happening in this discussion currently).
2) Along the Way - What is sticking out to you as you read?
3) Post-Reading - Did your opinion change on the topic? What is your final impression of the book? Key takeaways?
4) Quotes
5) Related Resources/Your Stories - Are there any related resources you'd want to share with the group? Are there personal experiences related to the book you wanted contribute to the conversation?
Some other groups have people switch off leading discussion but I think set questions like these are less work and can be just as effective in getting the conversation going.
In addition to the Folder for each book, I will set up a Folder for nominations.
Nominations guidelines will be found and locked in the first discussion so that new members can be brought up to speed. Then we will have a discussion where members can nominate books and another discussion where we vote on the book of the month. The nominations can be broad, with everyone just adding books they are interested in. I'll compile the list and try to group them according to a theme. Then I'll take the books on that theme and create a poll for us to vote on. We'll vote each month between the 1st and the 15th. Around the 15th, we'll call it so that everyone has time to get their hands on the book.
We'll still have the general Folder for any other discussions that might be relevant to the group.
Like I said, I'm open to feedback. I was actually logging in to create these folders when I saw your question. I'll wait a few more days in case anyone has any suggestions.
Excited for this selection. I've read Jersak once before (A More Christlike God), but it was before I left evangelicalism, and his writing made me very nervous. I'm looking reading more of Jersak now.
Hey Caleb - I know I joined a little bit after you started the book. Is there a targeted end date for finishing the book or is it open ended?
Mod
That start and end date is posted on the home page where you see the book selection. We're actually starting on April 1st so you definitely have time to join in. With an end date of May 1st, you have flexibility to start later in the month too. I saw some members have already started.
Book Information : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
PS: I was able to find the eBook for free on an app called Hoopla that helps you access digital resources from your local library. I live in a fairly large city so they might have more available. Just throwing it out there.
https://www.hoopladigital.com/