Shining Light on Scripture

When: Wednesday Mornings
Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: The Gathering Place, 3613 Bechelli Lane, Redding, CA 96002
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/931097698?pwd=YzdSdnlsNGxmR0FPY0xCUTdRdldTdz09
Facilitated by Chris Johnson, RScP

Join Chris Johnson, RScP on Wednesdays from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm for a fun and enlightening study of the Sacred Scriptures of the World. We began with the Hebrew Scriptures – or Old Testament, looking at each story and character through the lens of mythology and symbolism; within its historical and cultural context; and according to its literary genre and qualities. Then we considered how these stories shaped the teachings of the Rabbi Yeshua of Nazareth and the formation of the early Christian Church, before exploring the non-canonical Gospels of Thomas and Mary Magdalene. And now, for something completely different…

On Wednesday, August 5^th we begin viewing

The Power of Myth

The Power of Myth, a transcription of the Video Interviews

Starting Wednesday, August 5^th, we will begin viewing The Power of Myth, an extended conversation between legendary television journalist Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell, the preeminent authority on comparative mythology of the twentieth century. In this classic series, Campbell and Moyers discuss how mythology has informed the Sacred Scriptures and religions of the world, and how understanding their metaphors and symbolism can give us a greater understanding of our own lives. The transcription is available in pdf format, so you don’t need to buy the book (although it is a nice one!). We will not meet on Wednesday, August 19^th, due to Chris being out of town.

In this beloved 1988 PBS series, mythologist and storyteller Joseph Campbell joins Bill Moyers to explore what enduring myths can tell us about our lives. In each of six episodes –“The Hero’s Adventure,” “The Message of the Myth,” “The First Storytellers,” “Sacrifice and Bliss,” “Love and the Goddess,” and “Masks of Eternity” — Moyers and Campbell focus on a character or theme found in cultural and religious mythologies. Campbell argues that these timeless archetypes continue to have a powerful influence on the choices we make and the ways we live.

Released shortly after Campbell’s death on October 30, 1987, The Power of Myth was one of the most popular TV series in the history of public television, and continues to inspire new audiences.

This is a drop-in book study group – come whenever you like.

We meet at the Gathering Place, 3613 Bechelli Lane, Redding, CA, and online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/931097698?pwd=YzdSdnlsNGxmR0FPY0xCUTdRdldTdz09

Donations graciously accepted.

Bible Study Resources

The Beginner’s Guide to the Bible by Jeffrey Kranz
The Bible Project: a website with free Bible study resources and terrific videos
Five Gospel Parallels: Shows parallel passages from the four canonical gospels and the Gospel of Thomas (from the University of Toronto
Metaphysical Bible Dictionary: Provides metaphysical meanings for names of people and places in the Bible (from TruthUnity)
The Gnostic Society Library: a treasure trove of non-canonical Christian gospels and apocrypha, including the Nag Hammadi Library, Hermetic Literature, and more
King James Version of the Bible with Strong’s Concordance: Contains links to the original Hebrew and Greek words for a more in-depth exploration of other possible translations (from godrules.net)
King James Version of the Bible with Apocrypha: Includes the Apocrypha, which are books contained in the Catholic Bible, but not the Protestant Bible (from the University of Michigan)
Revised Standard Version of the Bible with Apocrypha: Includes more Apocryphal books in a more modern translation (from the University of Michigan)
Early Christian Writings: Includes the canonical New Testament books as well as non-canonical gospels, such as those of Thomas, Philip, Mary Magdalene, etc., plus lots of writings that were circulated among the first and second century Christ Followers.

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