“Opening the Bible”
Six Session Class with the Rev. Elwood Sturtevant using
Understanding the Bible – An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers and Religious Liberals,
by John Buehrens, UU minister and former President of the UUA 1993-2001
Monday Evenings 7 to 8:30 PM, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3
All Peoples UU Hearth Room, and via Zoom
No matter your personal faith, the Bible is all around us in America, touching not just religion but also
politics, history, art, literature and more. John Buehrens’ 2003 book “is designed … to help empower
skeptics, seekers, nonbelievers and those of a liberal and progressive outlook to reclaim the Bible from
literalists.” To do otherwise, Buehrens argues, is to leave the Bible in the hands of others – often
reactionary others – where it can be used against you.
I can remember when Metro Louisville considered the Fairness amendments (i.e. amendments to local
civil rights protections to include LGBTQ+ people) I stood at a demonstration with a group of clergy
peacekeepers between a crowd supporting the amendments and another crowd who opposed them. I
stood with my back to the supporters, trusting they would not be violent, as I faced in particular a large
male-appearing individual who would literally “THUMP!” his big Bible with his hand as he shouted things
like “You will be convicted of this garbage!” The clergy I stood with were mostly from traditions that
understood the Bible to claim the Fairness amendments were good and important changes, while
probably most of the opponents insisted the Bible justified their opposition to the amendments and to
LGBTQ+ people. Most commonly, though, we hear about the latter group and about Christian
nationalists these days as relying on Biblical teachings.
Even if the Bible is not important to your faith or to your understanding of the world, it still impacts the
world we live in, and Buehrens’ approach to it offers a chance to appreciate more of the power and the
possibilities contained within the collection of books we call the Bible. And Buehrens approach offers us
the opportunity to understand how the Bible has helped shape our nation and Western culture in a
variety of ways.
Sept. 29 (read UTB pp. 3 – 38) Why bother with the Bible, and Stories of your own experiences.
Oct. 6 (read UTB pp. 40 – 61; Genesis 1:1-2:3; Genesis 3:1-24) In the Beginning
Oct. 13 (read UTB 62 – 94; Deuteronomy 5:6-21) Now that you’re free, you have responsibilities.
Oct. 20 (read UTB 95 – 133; Job 38:1 – 42:6) The lasting tension between order and chaos.
Oct. 27 (read UTB 136 – 178; Matthew 5 – 7 and Luke 6:20-49) Intentions matter.
Nov. 3 (read UTB 179 – 196; 1 Corinthians 13) Love is at the center.
Copies of the book Understanding the Bible are available used online for less than $10; Elwood has
about ten used copies available to share.