We are delighted to invite you to a new series of talks entitled “Introduction to the Prophets”, led by Dr John Murray.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
28th Sept at 8pm: week 1
Introduction
The Prophets in the Old Testament. What was a ‘prophet’? Foretelling and ‘forthtelling’ God’s word, inspired by the Holy Spirit. What was the historical context in which the Old Testament prophets appeared? God’s Covenant People – their story and the challenges they faced. The weakness of their political and religious leadership. The early prophets Samuel, Elijah and Elisha. What challenges do we face in reading the prophets today? Why are the prophets important for us? The virtue of faith/faithfulness. The Bible in the Liturgy and in personal study/prayer.
5th Oct at 8pm: week 2
The prophet Isaiah, part 1
Exploring one prophetic book in some detail, start to finish, over two weeks. This week: Isaiah chapters 1-39. His life and times in the 8th century B.C. How to understand God’s judgement, sin, evil, God’s providence, God’s challenge. Some initial points about prophecies of the Messiah in Isaiah 7, 9 and 11. The virtue of hope/hopefulness.
A 3-week interval will allow for group reading and discussion sessions.
Questions that arise during these sessions can be noted and addressed by Dr Murray on his return for session 3. The passages will relate to Isaiah 1-39 (from session 2) or be taken from Isaiah 40-66 in anticipation of material to be covered in session 3.
2nd Nov at 8pm: week 3
The prophet Isaiah, part 2
Chapters 40-66. The exile and the return from exile. God’s promises of restoration, healing, and new life. What these promises meant back then and what they mean to us now. The particular and the universal in Isaiah. The ‘Suffering Servant’/Messiah passages and their importance. The virtues of temperance and courage. This week we will look also at what participants found in their study of Isaiah during the 3 Reading Weeks.
9th Nov at 8pm: week 4
Conclusion
Some key passages/themes from other Old Testament prophets. God as husband of his people in Hosea, Jeremiah and Ezekiel [and, again, Isaiah]. Social Justice and true religion in Amos and Micah. Humour in Jonah. John the Baptist as the last of the prophets. More on messianic prophecy: how the prophets point us towards the New Testament and Jesus Christ. The New Covenant. The virtue of love/caritas.
For more information, please contact the Parish Office:
[email protected]
01 269 1825
