St. Antony’s will offer the “Reclaiming Jesus” Bible Study at 9:00 am on Sundays from October 27 to December 22, 2019. This Bible study, created by national church leaders, is based on the following affirmations:
I. WE BELIEVE each human being is made in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). THEREFORE, WE REJECT the resurgence of white nationalism and racism in our nation on many fronts, including the highest levels of political leadership.
II. WE BELIEVE we are one body. In Christ, there is to be no oppression based on race, gender, identity, or class (Galatians 3:28). THEREFORE, WE REJECT misogyny, the mistreatment, violent abuse, sexual harassment, and assault of women that has been further revealed in our culture and politics.
III. WE BELIEVE how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger, the sick, and the prisoner is how we treat Christ himself. (Matthew 25: 31-46) THEREFORE, WE REJECT the language and policies of political leaders who would debase and abandon the most vulnerable children of God, and we strongly deplore the growing attacks on immigrants and refugees.
IV. WE BELIEVE that truth is morally central to our personal and public lives. Truth-telling is central to the prophetic biblical tradition. THEREFORE, WE REJECT the practice and pattern of lying that is invading our political and civil life.
V. WE BELIEVE that Christ’s way of leadership is servanthood, not domination. Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles (the world) lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:25-26). THEREFORE, WE REJECT any moves toward autocratic political leadership and authoritarian rule.
VI. WE BELIEVE Jesus when he tells us to go into all nations making disciples (Matthew 28:18). THEREFORE, WE REJECT “America first” as a theological heresy for followers of Christ.
Click here to see a summary of the Reclaiming Jesus Declaration.
Click here to see the full curriculum of the Reclaiming Jesus Bible study.