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Anvil Volume 24 Number 3 2007

The Role of the Bible in Formation and Transformation: A Hermeneutical and Theological Analysis

Richard S Briggs

This article, concerned with the part that the Bible plays in the formation of Christians, especially those called to leadership ministry, was first presented as a public lecture in Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham. Why should we stay with the Bible, how can we read it and have it form us, without bringing our own pre-formed agendas to the texts? He notes the many challenges in reading the Bible on its own terms, not least laying aside modern categories for enquiry. Transformation into the image of the Son of God requires that the Biblical text, including difficult and disturbing passages, sets the agenda for the interpretative task.

Dr Richard S Briggs is Director of Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics, Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham.

Praying with a Pen in Hand: An exploration of the effects of creative writing on people's images of God

Kate Bruce

In this piece of practical theology Kate Bruce describes research she has carried out through questionnaire and quiet days into the place and use of creative writing when exploring a person's images of God. She enquires into the purpose and place of creative writing in Christian spirituality, and ends by offering a variety of ways in which creative writing can be used to encourage people to explore their internalised God-images.

The Revd Kate Bruce is Chaplain at Trevelyan College and St Mary’s College, Durham University and Associate Priest at St Oswald’s, Durham.

In Your Thinking be Adults: Where Churches Could and Should Co-operate with 'Secular' Funders

Nigel Oakley

Given that it is now accepted for evangelicals to be involved in social action, there is still debate about whether, and how, churches should accept finance from government and other sources to fund their community projects. Will such funding mean that the project is secularised? After examining these concerns and looking at government documents, Nigel Oakley uses a case study to contend that it is possible to take such funding without being bound to a secularising agenda or giving up on being church.

Dr Nigel Oakley is World Development Officer for the Diocese of Durham.

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