As part of our annual Partnership Sunday, Rob Trickey prepares us as we reaffirm our commitment to the Oasis vision together. This is a great talk to listen to if you want to know more about the Oasis vision and values, as well as how that's reflected locally.

Following on from last week, our Church and Hub Leader Jo Dolby helps us look forward into the year ahead. What might we need to be particularly mindful of or prepared for in 2023? What are some of the specific things we’re called to be and do as a community?

As our ‘Rethinking the Bible’ series draws to a close, Jo Dolby explores the very first Christmas from a theological, historical and sociological context, dispelling some common myths about the Christmas story we know so well, as well as drawing out powerful meanings that apply to our lives today.

Joining us on the sofa this month is Revd Dr Helen Paynter. Helen is the Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence at Bristol Baptist College, which exists to facilitate cutting-edge research in the areas of biblical violence and the abuse of the bible in a violent world. We’ll be asking Helen how we can align the violent and angry God portrayed in the Old Testament with the loving God we know and experience today. Trigger Warning: Helen mentions sexual violence in broad, non-specific terms.

Some of the passages in the bible are really difficult to read, in fact some of them are shocking, violent and even abhorrent. What do we do with these difficult passages and how can we understand them in light of their original culture and context? Jill Rowe from Oasis Waterloo helps us understand how something called ‘progressive revelation’ can radically shift our views around the more difficult parts of the bible.

Gaynor Williams describes some of the many tools we can use alongside our reading of the bible, including commentaries, concordances, different translations and diverse perspectives. All of these can add to the richness of reading and applying the bible.

Joining us on the sofa this week is the founder of Oasis Rev Steve Chalke. Steve wrote a book called ‘The Lost Message of Paul’, which explores a particular way understanding the writings of Paul, a New Testament writer and leader of the early church.

Many Christians use the bible to make ethical decisions. Rob Trickey explores the kinds of ethical approaches we see in the bible and the pros and cons of letting the bible form the frameworks we use to make choices about how we live.

At Oasis, one of our four characteristics is an open and progressive theology. How can we see the bible through a progressive lens? For many of us who have deconstructed faith, or seen the bible used to harm or control, how can we reimagine our relationship with it? Jo Dolby explores the purpose and place of the bible in our lives.

As part of our Rethinking the Bible series, Dave Kingswood from ‘Home for Good’ joins us on the sofa to talk about how the bible has shaped his passion for vulnerable kids, particularly those who need to be fostered or adopted.