Peri Archon: Let’s read theology together…

The fastest growing group in America, religiously speaking, is those who write “None” when asked their religion. When asked why they write “None,” a majority of these people say that Christian claims, Christian language about reality, seem implausible. They cannot believe religious talk because it seems untrue in relation to our experience of the world and in relation to science. The Church is also affected by our surrounding society in that we increasingly do not read serious books. Consequently, we become less and less able to respond to the nones, and in addition we lose our own sense of the depth of the faith that we claim.

Our understanding flattens out and we ourselves begin to suspect that there is not much there beneath Christian language. Peri Archon (Concerning First Things) is the title of what many scholars call the first great work of Christian systematic theology. It was written between 220 and 230 CE by a brilliant Christian thinker from Alexandria in Egypt in a time strikingly like our own.. The Christian Church was a persecuted minority, comprising maybe 2% of the population of the Roman Empire.

Christian claims seemed wildly implausible to people. Origen meant to show their truth and power. Our St. John’s group, Peri Archon, will be a place to discuss and question in a relaxed, friendly, sometimes entertaining atmosphere. It will be led by Gary Kinkel, retired professor and pastor. Bring your curiosity, your hardest questions, and your doubts. We will grow together in understanding by reading and discussing some of the great texts of Christian thought: ancient, Reformation, and contemporary.

Contact: doctorkinkel@gmail.com

Please join us Mondays in Neumann at 7:00 PM!