Re-Rereading, Re-Writing, Re-Telling Biblical Stories
The Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School and a priest licensed in the Diocese of Fort Worth, will re-introduce participants to the Bible, a book many believe they already know.
This seminar will (re)introduce bible readers and hearers to a text that in spite of focusing overwhelmingly on male characters nevertheless offers a plethora of women whose presence invites reconsideration of the stories we may have learned. Beginning with the shape of the biblical canon itself in the first session, each subsequent session will explore biblical passages and characters that may be unfamiliar, translating and interpreting them for contemporary contexts while remaining faithful to their ancient contexts. We will consider what we mean as individuals and communities when we say “Bible” and how that differs, particularly among Christians presently and across time. And, we will reflect on how expanding our knowledge of the biblical text by focusing on the stories of women and other subordinated categories – slaves and non-Israelites – shapes our understandings of and perspectives on the bible as scripture.
The seminar is Saturday, February 6, from 9 am to 1:45 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Dallas, located at 1835 Young St.
Register online through Brite Divinity School’s Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity. Registration is $5 for Brite students and $35 for all others; the fee includes a light lunch.
The Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity organizes several lectures and seminars throughout the year to introduce lay people to biblical scholars and their work, to enrich the ecumenical community of this area. The program’s description of Dr. Gafney’s seminar introduces her in this way:
Wil Gafney embodies a passion for teaching and her research and scholarship represent the leading edge of biblical scholarship.
Check out other course lectures and seminars coming up as well and take advantage of this program’s excellent offerings.