Tim Bulkeley writes...
One simple rule for reading the Bible
E100 is a scheme of one hundred (no really, honestly ;) Bible readings to be read over 20 weeks. It offers fifty from the Old Testament and fifty from the New. It gives participants a great overview of Scripture and so a context into which to fit whatever else they read. It's a great scheme.
I've been producing five minute reflections on all the readings, podcasting them week by week http://5minutebible.com. This together with teaching Understanding and Interpreting the Bible for the first time, last year, has made me aware of the one simple piece of advice modern Christians need to make their Bible reading more effective.
IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU!
I'm coming to think that the heresy that the Bible is “all about me” is the root of most of the evils of biblical interpretation. Some wacko claims that Joel is describing helicopter gunships in Afghanistan – naturally, Afghanistan is in the news, and the Bible is all about us! Another loony claims that Daniel proves that the end of the world will happen in 2014 – of course, we still expect to be alive then, and the Bible has to be about us because we are so important. Another claims that 2 Samuel 7:3 "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you." (Nathan's first reply to David's plans to build a temple for Yahweh) means that God will bless our plans to extend the church – well he would, wouldn't he? The Bible is all about us!
It's not. The Bible is about GOD. In Joel's puzzling visions, look to see what he is saying about God. Ditto Daniel. The Bible tells us about God, and so about how God relates to people and to his world, but it's not about YOU, or even me ;)
TUESDAY 27th
Community Worship 11:15am-12noon
Facilitated by Josh Pound and Andrew Cox
The Power of the Gospel - Brad Haami
Brad is an accomplished Maori film and television producer, director, script-writer, published author, Maori historian and journalist. He is originally from Whakatane and is affiliated with the Ngati Awa, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu tribes of New Zealand. As well as being a freelance writer he is also a co-director of Purakau Productions a Maori storytelling consultancy company and a co-director of a film and television Production company called 4 Winds Films Ltd.
After Dinner Mints @ lunch
Sam Chapman: Sam is the Executive Chairperson for Project AWHI, a New Zealand-focused community development and humanitarian organisation. Sam and the work he does, is focused on changing lives and thus changing communities.
WEDNESDAY 28th
Carey Prayer in the Chapel
12:40-1:00pm
Praying for the college, community, country and people. All welcome!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Māori Language Week!
26-30 July
Using Te Reo as part of everyday activities.
Art Week! 2-6 August
An opportunity to display your own creativity around the college and theme the usual activities around art.
MĀORI LANGUAGE WEEK - 26-30 JULY
During this week, Māori will be a little more prominent around the college as we recognise this week. We encourage you to incorporate Māori into your days quite intentionally.
As part of this week Hinemaia Tofi (Administration Assistant – Baptist Māori Ministries), is willing to offer some basics of Te Reo with pronunciation and phrases. If you are interested in being part of this, please add your name to the sign up sheet in the noticeboard outside the chapel or see Rachel by Monday 26 July.
This class will take place on Tuesday 27 July from 1-1:45pm in Room 2.
ART WEEK – 2-6 August 2010
An annual event when we can celebrate our own creativity.
Create a piece of art to display or bring in something you already have ... photography, painting, sculpture, etching, carving...you name it, there are plenty of options. Plus... worship focused around this theme, a guest artist to talk about his work, some other activities—and lots of time to ooh and aah at the talent of others. Distance students – you are of course welcome to have something displayed...either get it to us at the college OR take a photo and send it to us and we’ll get it uploaded to a site.
Please bring your creation to Rachel’s office (off reception) with your name and the title of the work (if applicable) by midday Friday 30 July. We’ll have it ready for display around the college for Monday 2nd August.
SURVIVING CAREY STUDY
If you would be keen to talk with someone with regards to study skills and approaching tertiary level study, please feel free to connect directly with the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Russell Thorp. (russell.thorp@carey.ac.nz; ph 09 526 6595 or see him in his office off reception).
BACK DOOR OF LECTURE/ADMIN BUILDING
There have been some unforeseen delays in finishing off this area. Please continue not to use this entrance during the day instead entering and exiting to classes via the main doors. Thanks.
FEES DUE FOR PAYMENT
A couple of reminders:
- Fees were due on 8th July so if you have not paid these please do so ASAP – this week is the last week before a late payment fee of $50 per course will apply.
- Access/ID cards cannot be issued until we have a photo and fees have been paid. Onsite students – this card will be put into your pigeon hole when it is ready.Should you have any problems with your access card or if you lose it, please see Chris Lucas, situated off reception, or email her on chris.lucas@carey.ac.nz
(Edited by Tim Bulkeley - original submission Monday, 26 July 2010, 09:35 AM)