A leading biblical scholar will tomorrow be challenging churches in Britain and the US to re-think their “family values” rhetoric by looking again at Jesus’ example. If they do they are in for a shock, she suggests.
British-born Dr Deirdre Good, now Professor of New Testament at a leading Anglican seminary in New York, has already caused waves in the USA with her book Jesus’ Family Values, which argues that Jesus replaced his family of origin with differently configured communities and households.
Professor Good, from the Episcopal Church’s prestigious General Theological Seminary, will talk about Jesus’ Family Values in London at an informal seminar on Thursday 31 May 2007.
The meeting takes place from 11am – midday at St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in the City of London, tomorrow. (Full details here.)
The subject is highly topical. Churches are embroiled in angry arguments about adoption, sexuality and the future of marriage. The latest British Social Attitudes survey says traditional family structures are under pressure. And the government is highlighting family policy as a major focus.
The event is being promoted by the UK think-tank Ekklesia, which examines the role of religion in public life. It is being hosted by St Ethelburga’s, a centre in the City of London for reconciliation among people of different religions and beliefs.
NOTE:
Professor Good will also be available for additional allotted media interviews.
For a map of the venue, please go to http://www.streetmap.co.uk and type in the postcode EC2N 4AG. Near to Liverpool Street tube.
For further details, appointments and book review information, please contact Simon Barrow on [email protected]. This is an open meeting – but it would help if you could drop us a note to say you are planning to attend.