Seminary of the 3rd Age - Anne Butler - Deciphering the Bible

Sherlock Holmes (in his many forms) can find the clues to solve the case where others see nothing. If we pay attention to quirks of the text, the use of certain words, names for God, even good and bad grammar, we will find ourselves in search of who did and didn’t lay claim to writing holy scriptures. The Books of Moses, the Psalms of David, even the letters of Paul, what can we deduce about the authors or speakers? And where is the evidence pointing in another direction? All the evidence in English, so bring along your favourite translation or paraphrase and we will begin!

Anne was born on the other side of the world, and came to live in Australia as part of the British migration. Church became her aunts and uncles, and grandparents, even though her parents did not attend. She began reading the Scriptures, originally following the strict Kosher rules laid out in Levitucus. Then she found the Gospels, and was inspired and wanted to be on the team of Jesus. From a call to ministry at 15, and ordination at 28, she has spent a life time wrestling with the text, eager to find the Spirit’s meaning for today hidden among the ancient words.