The book of Revelation deals on a cosmic scale with good and evil, politics and empire, community and eternity. It has intrigued and frustrated readers for millennia. How do we make sense of John's prophetic vision of cosmic war in light of the nonviolence Jesus embodies in the gospels? What does John mean to tell us about Jesus, our world, and the fate of all things? As End Times conspiracy theories surge, it's more important than ever that we read the final book of the Bible without distorting the true message of Jesus.

Based on the book Upside-Down Apocalypse, but with the benefit of or whole teaching team at Commons, this series will walk through the book of Revelation using biblical scholarship and the nonviolence of Jesus as our guide.

Along the way, we'll discover what John imagines as he weaves this profound revelation of non-violent triumph and see with fresh eyes how the Prince of Peace turns violence on its head once and for all.

There is no denying the sheer largeness of our Biblical faith. There is a lot to know: story and truth and history. But in the middle of all this stands the simple, the basic, the essential, the pure: “love God and love your neighbour.” We want to begin our year together by going back to the basics to help answer the frequently asked questions that inevitably arise when something new begins.

Who are we?
By what do we define ourselves? 
How will we live together as a community?

We know not every question can be answered in three weeks. In fact, many of our questions can only be answered in the long story of being church together. But here, we want to put some stakes in the ground–some definitional ideas that will guide us into our future together. So come. Join in. Share what you have and take a piece of what others around you are offering. We want these conversations to be accessible to anyone, whether you are new to Commons or have been here for all nine seasons.

There is no denying the sheer largeness of our Biblical faith. There is a lot to know: story and truth and history. But in the middle of all this stands the simple, the basic, the essential, the pure: “love God and love your neighbour.” We want to begin our year together by going back to the basics to help answer the frequently asked questions that inevitably arise when something new begins.

Who are we?
By what do we define ourselves? 
How will we live together as a community?

We know not every question can be answered in three weeks. In fact, many of our questions can only be answered in the long story of being church together. But here, we want to put some stakes in the ground–some definitional ideas that will guide us into our future together. So come. Join in. Share what you have and take a piece of what others around you are offering. We want these conversations to be accessible to anyone, whether you are new to Commons or have been here for all nine seasons.

There is no denying the sheer largeness of our Biblical faith. There is a lot to know: story and truth and history. But in the middle of all this stands the simple, the basic, the essential, the pure: “love God and love your neighbour.” We want to begin our year together by going back to the basics to help answer the frequently asked questions that inevitably arise when something new begins.

Who are we?
By what do we define ourselves? 
How will we live together as a community?

We know not every question can be answered in three weeks. In fact, many of our questions can only be answered in the long story of being church together. But here, we want to put some stakes in the ground–some definitional ideas that will guide us into our future together. So come. Join in. Share what you have and take a piece of what others around you are offering. We want these conversations to be accessible to anyone, whether you are new to Commons or have been here for all nine seasons.

There are stories about people in the bible that we love to love. These are the stories everyone seems to know: famous daughters, brave judges, and influential church planters.

They wait in broad daylight for us to discover something new, as if to say, “There’s more to me than what you think you know and love.”

For as much as the bible is about God, it would be nothing without people. And the thing about people is that even while they change, they also stay the same. Century after century, people get lost, make a new home, and find love. People stand up for what they believe in, step outside their comfort zones, become the leader they didn’t know they could be. They mess up, try again, and find joy in surprising places. It is holy to be human.

Let’s examine four biblical figures, their familiar place in the narrative, and what they represent about the world in which they lived. Without a doubt, we will find God’s commitment to our empowerment through the verses written about these people. The stories of Ruth, Deborah, Junia, and Mary Magdalene are still shining with bright light.

There are stories about people in the bible that we love to love. These are the stories everyone seems to know: famous daughters, brave judges, and influential church planters.

They wait in broad daylight for us to discover something new, as if to say, “There’s more to me than what you think you know and love.”

For as much as the bible is about God, it would be nothing without people. And the thing about people is that even while they change, they also stay the same. Century after century, people get lost, make a new home, and find love. People stand up for what they believe in, step outside their comfort zones, become the leader they didn’t know they could be. They mess up, try again, and find joy in surprising places. It is holy to be human.

Let’s examine four biblical figures, their familiar place in the narrative, and what they represent about the world in which they lived. Without a doubt, we will find God’s commitment to our empowerment through the verses written about these people. The stories of Ruth, Deborah, Junia, and Mary Magdalene are still shining with bright light.

There are stories about people in the bible that we love to love. These are the stories everyone seems to know: famous daughters, brave judges, and influential church planters.

They wait in broad daylight for us to discover something new, as if to say, “There’s more to me than what you think you know and love.”

For as much as the bible is about God, it would be nothing without people. And the thing about people is that even while they change, they also stay the same. Century after century, people get lost, make a new home, and find love. People stand up for what they believe in, step outside their comfort zones, become the leader they didn’t know they could be. They mess up, try again, and find joy in surprising places. It is holy to be human.

Let’s examine four biblical figures, their familiar place in the narrative, and what they represent about the world in which they lived. Without a doubt, we will find God’s commitment to our empowerment through the verses written about these people. The stories of Ruth, Deborah, Junia, and Mary Magdalene are still shining with bright light.

There are stories about people in the bible that we love to love. These are the stories everyone seems to know: famous daughters, brave judges, and influential church planters.

They wait in broad daylight for us to discover something new, as if to say, “There’s more to me than what you think you know and love.”

For as much as the bible is about God, it would be nothing without people. And the thing about people is that even while they change, they also stay the same. Century after century, people get lost, make a new home, and find love. People stand up for what they believe in, step outside their comfort zones, become the leader they didn’t know they could be. They mess up, try again, and find joy in surprising places. It is holy to be human.

Let’s examine four biblical figures, their familiar place in the narrative, and what they represent about the world in which they lived. Without a doubt, we will find God’s commitment to our empowerment through the verses written about these people. The stories of Ruth, Deborah, Junia, and Mary Magdalene are still shining with bright light.

There are so many stories about people in the bible that, with eyes wide open, disturb. In the history of interpretation, explanations abound. We hear that these folks had it coming, that their differences were unacceptable, that they were vulnerable and weak.

As disturbing as these stories feel, they don't disappear. They wait in the shadows as if to say, "Our pain is real and held by God in this sacred story."

For as much as the bible is about people, it's about God. And while God elevates people to positions of priest, prophet, and king, God also pays close attention to people who exist in the margins. The assaulted partners, the tired mothers, the children forced to flee their homes. It's holy to be human.

Let's examine four biblical figures, their place in the shadows of the text, and what they represent about a world where bad things happen to all kinds of people. Maybe we'll never find a hurried rescue, but instead, God revealed in the shadow lives of Bathsheba, Hagar, Tamar, and Eve.

There are so many stories about people in the bible that, with eyes wide open, disturb. In the history of interpretation, explanations abound. We hear that these folks had it coming, that their differences were unacceptable, that they were vulnerable and weak.

As disturbing as these stories feel, they don't disappear. They wait in the shadows as if to say, "Our pain is real and held by God in this sacred story."

For as much as the bible is about people, it's about God. And while God elevates people to positions of priest, prophet, and king, God also pays close attention to people who exist in the margins. The assaulted partners, the tired mothers, the children forced to flee their homes. It's holy to be human.

Let's examine four biblical figures, their place in the shadows of the text, and what they represent about a world where bad things happen to all kinds of people. Maybe we'll never find a hurried rescue, but instead, God revealed in the shadow lives of Bathsheba, Hagar, Tamar, and Eve.