PROGRAMS, ORGANIZATIONS and GROUPS

Education

Part of our vocation as Christians is to constantly learn more about the Christian faith and the teachings of the Church. We believe that the more we learn and discover about ourselves and God, the deeper our faith becomes.

At the Cathedral we offer a variety of classes from traditional Bible studies to innovative discussion groups throughout the year which are open to everyone. These opportunities are generally offered from September to June. Details of current opportunities for education are listed below.

Two Bible study series will be offered during lent 2008: Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings (see below).

LENTEN STUDY
CAPTURED BY THE CRUCIFIED:
A Survey of the Theology of Atonement

Wednesday Evenings at 7:30 in the Parish Hall

The central image of the Christian Faith is the cross of Christ. By the cross, Christians believe, we are restored to wholeness and right relationship with God. The theological term for this restoration is called 'atonement.' The concept is however a complex one; the theological truth of atonement is deep and multi-faceted.


On Wednesday evenings this Lent, we will have an opportunity to delve into some of the various meanings. The dates and topics are as follows:

Wednesday, 13 February - 'Christ as Obedient Servant'
Wednesday, 20 February - 'Christ as Sacrifice'
Wednesday, 27 February - 'Christ as Propitiation'
Wednesday, 5 March - 'Christ as Reconciliation'
Wednesday, 12 March - 'Christ as Victor'

Our guides for this study will be not only the Scriptures themselves, but some of the most important theologians who have, down through Christian history, grappled with this idea. They include: Anselm, Abelard, Luther, Jürgen Moltmann, Gustav Aulén and Austin Ferrar.

Sessions will be one hour in length and will conclude with the beautiful, though not often used, office of Compline.


Lent Bible Study - will commence on the First Sunday in Lent (10th February) at 9:30am in the parish hall. The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) have much material which is common to all three while the fourth gospel - John - has much which is unique to it. We will investigate how and why by examining the gospels for each Sunday in Lent. They are:

February 10 Lent I: Matthew 4: 1-11
February 17 Lent II: Matthew 17: 1-9
February 24 Lent III: John 4: 5-42
March 2 Lent IV: John 9: 1-41
March 9 Lent V: John 11: 1-45

There will be no Study on Palm Sunday.