Biblical Study Day - with Prof. Robin Baker

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Intriguing insights about the ways in which Mesopotamian cultures have influenced the writings of the New Testament

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<h3><strong>For anyone, Lay or Ordained, with an interest in the Bible, how it came to be, and what it might mean for us today.</strong></h3><p>We are really privileged to have Prof Robin Baker lead a study day for us in November, which is offered in support of biblical literacy in the Methodist Church and as a resource to presbyters preachers, worship leaders and small group leaders.</p><p>The day will focus on Matthew’s gospel as next year's lectionary Gospel.  Prof Baker says, “This will provide the base camp from which we will explore some very interesting Scriptural connections including a close reading of the omen of Jonah. In other words, I will aim to weave a lot of Old Testament and Mesopotamian material onto Matthew’s framework.  …. There will be an appreciable degree of focus on the OT, so that whether one's interest is primarily OT or NT, no-one will feel short-changed by the event.”</p><p>The study is based around Prof Baker’s recent book which among other things show a fuller and more accurate understanding of Christianity and Western culture through understanding the New Testament’s origins.  Assyria and Babylon completely dominated Israel-Judah through crucial periods of its history but their influence on the New Testament has been almost completely ignored for the last hundred years.  It promises to provide challenge, insight and fresh resources. </p><p>In the words of one reviewer, “This book is long overdue in the fields of New Testament studies and Christian origins. It provides a missing link between scholarship on the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East and scholarship on the New Testament and early Christianity. The necessity of this book cannot be overstated.”</p><p>Having twice heard Prof Baker speak on Jonah, I can strongly recommend this time to you and believe that you will find it accessible, understandable and helpful not only in your preaching and teaching, but more importantly in your own spiritual life.  </p><h3></h3>

<h2><strong>J﻿oin us in 1 of 4 ways:</strong></h2><p><em><strong>NB: Make sure you select the ticket appropriate to your attendance preference when you register.</strong></em></p><h3><strong>1. O﻿N-SITE at the MAIN VENUE</strong></h3><p>P﻿rofessor Baker will be delivering his material live from our main venue, <strong>Wesley's Chapel and Leysian Mission, </strong>London. Join him 'in the room' and soak up all the magnificence of this beautiful Methodist heritage site. There is no cost for attending at Central Hall and refreshments will be provided.</p><h3><strong>2. O﻿N-SITE at one of our regional SATELLITE VENUES</strong></h3><p>We will be live broadcasting from our main venue to two satellite venues -  one in the North and one in the Midlands. These venues offer a great way of gathering with others to listen to and discuss Prof. Baker's input without having to travel all the way to London. Satellite venues will be hosted by members of the Learning Network. They are free to attend and refreshments will be provided. </p><ul><li><strong>N﻿ORTH Satellite</strong>:<em> Walken Methodist Church, M38 9AN</em></li></ul><ul><li><strong>M﻿IDLANDS Satellite</strong>: <em>Lutterworth Methodist Church,  LE17 4EL</em></li></ul><h3><strong>3. HOST-a-HUB in your local church or circuit</strong></h3><p>I﻿f you'd like to gather with others in your own setting rather than attend one of our LN run venues, you can register as a local 'hub'. Contact us for a copy of the 'Host-a-Hub' guidance pack which will lead you through how to gather people in your own church or circuit to enjoy this day together.</p><h3><strong>4.O﻿NLINE via YouTube</strong></h3><p>W﻿e will be live streaming this event on YouTube so if you don't fancy travelling you can still join in from the comfort of your own home. We will also be offering breakout spaces via Zoom so if you want to chat to others remotely about what you're hearing, you can connect with them that way too.</p><p></p><p></p>

<h2>About Professor Robin Baker</h2><p>Dr Robin Baker is Emeritus Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the University of Winchester, a Fellow of University College London, and Senior Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Balkan Studies in Thessaloniki. </p><p>The day will draw heavily on Dr Robin Baker’s research for his latest book Mesopotamian Civilization and the Origins of the New Testament, by Robin Baker (Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2022).</p><p>Dr Robin Baker was born in Canada but earned his undergraduate degree at the University of London, studied Classical Hebrew at the University of South Africa, and took his PhD at the University of East Anglia. He was a postgraduate researcher at the University of Helsinki and has studied at Stanford University.  He has also lived, studied, and worked in Russia, Greece, and Hungary.</p><p>In 2016, Robin's book Hollow Men, Strange Women: Riddles, Codes and Otherness in the Book of Judges was published by Brill in its Biblical Interpretation Series. He is the author of many articles in international journals. His latest book Mesopotamian Civilization and the Origins of the New Testament was published this year by Cambridge University Press. Continually amazed at and uplifted by the Bible's magnificent richness and relevance, Robin has a passion for studying and teaching its contents.</p><p>He is married to Rachel who is a professor at Western University in London, Ontario.</p>

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