The Bible offers some real challenges to our contemporary understandings of land and ownership in our economic order. Underlying our current ecological crises are assumptions about who owns what and how land is used. This series asks whether the ancient wisdom of scripture can throw new light on the values and principles which could lead to the restoration rather than the degradation of the earth.

Tuesdays at 7pm

Link to sessions:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84054486872?pwd=SWU5cHhRMXJ6Uk9qekgxbzhLM25CUT09

Meeting ID: 840 5448 6872           Passcode: 900252

Session One                       September 13th 7.00 – 8.00pm

Sovereignty, Stewardship and Ownership

The Bible asserts very strongly that ‘the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it’ (Psalm 24) This changes all our relationships to property, and to our responsibilities in relation to the earth. We will ask what it means to be a steward of the earth and what God’s sovereignty means practically for us.

Isaiah 5 1-10

1 Kings 21

Numbers 27.1-7

Session Two                       September 20th 7.00 – 8.00pm

The Promised Land and Possession        

This session will look at one of the most difficult and most topical of biblical questions. What did it mean for the land of Israel to be promised by God to the Hebrew clans? How do we understand the right of possession in the light of some challenging biblical texts?  Looking at these texts raises important questions for our contemporary world, not only Israel and Palestine but also other conflict situations.

Genesis 15:18–21

Numbers 34

Judges 1-2.1-6

Session Three                    September 27th 7.00 – 8.00pm

Covenant, Exile and Restoration

We read of God’s relationship with the land and its people through the story of the Covenant.

We will explore how Covenant between God and Israel, promises land but requires ethical responses. The disobedience of Israel resulted in exile from the land.  The return from exile opened up a new understanding of the covenant as a future promise.

Jeremiah 31.27 - 40

Ezekiel 39.21 - 29

Session Four                      October 4th 7.00 – 8.00pm

Land and an Inclusive Gospel

Our final session looks at how the Gospel expands the vision of God’s sovereignty.  We shall explore the notion of Jesus as the new Adam, his expansive vision and the understanding of Israel.  We will also observe Jesus own relationship with creation as expressed in his teaching.

Luke 8.4 - 8

Revelation 5.6 - 14