Conflict and Scripture
Games of Power and Conflict in the bible and in the world
– Conflict between congregants
– Conflict between leadership and congregation
– Conflict between the congregation and the denomination
– Conflict about belief
– Conflict about money
– Conflict about the church’s engagement in politics
– Conflict about the church’s legacy of the past and its strategies for the present at the future.
And most congregations have strategies, and even spiritual practices, to help them seek fruitful ways to live with their conflicts.
Conflicts are often difficult to discuss. This course will explore the richness of scripture (through teaching input, group study, reflection, personal writing, exploration of language and interpretation) and consider the practical application in congregational life.
– Jesus and the Pharisees: exploring stereotypes
– The gospels and empire
– Models of conflict intervention in the gospels
– Forgotten women of the bible: What insight can be found in their stories, and what can be learnt for congregational practice?
– Contemporary models of conflict resolution theory
– Writing liturgies about conflict: Considering models for liturgy that tell the truth about the tension and also turn the heart towards each other
– «Forgive your enemies», but resent your friends”: We will consider friendship, resentment and forgiveness in light of the book of Acts and congregational experience
WeA-Pfarrer:innen abzügl. Konkordats-/Refbejuso-Beitrag.
Pádraig Ó Tuama is a poet and a theologian. With interests in language, violence and religion, he has published poetry and prose and has presented radio programmes on poetry and religion. His undergraduate degree is a BA Div validated by the Pontifical University; his Masters thesis in Narrative Theology from Queen’s University in Belfast was a consideration of the encounters between Jesus of Nazareth and marginalised characters in the Gospel of Mark, and his PhD (University of Glasgow; ongoing) is an exploration of Poetry and Prayer.
www.padraigotuama.com
Pádraig is former leader of Corrymeela, an ecumenical community in Northern Ireland, where people from all traditions are rallied around one inspirational idea: «Together is better».
www.corrymeela.org
Juliane Hartmann, Pfarrerin, Beauftragte für die Ausbildung A+W, Zürich
A+W, T +41 44 258 92 50