Saint Matthew

This is an audacious aspiration for studying scripture together! This topic was requested and enthusiastically endorsed by our last study group which ended in November, 2022. They said to us that people who were raised as Roman Catholics, in particular, had been discouraged from studying scripture in their formative years. They are hungry to know more. We expect this study to go on for all of 2023 and probably beyond.

Our title derives from an older classic and well-received book by Catholic scholar, Margaret Nutting Ralph [1986, 2003 revised]: And God Said What? Her book can be purchased used for as little as $5 on Amazon, new for $12, and is also available by Kindle for $18. We have a few copies on hand for loaning. We strongly recommend reading Dr. Ralph’s book as a very useful introduction, but we will not be following her outline. We will provide handouts and other important materials from scholarly, Jewish, and Christian perspectives. We will also recommend movies that provide artistic and dramatic interpretation of biblical events, and will host some of these at House of Ruth and Junia; they can be attended along with or apart from the ongoing biblical studies. Or they are available and viewed from home.

Our format will be the same as we have done before. On Wednesday evenings, if you are local and able to travel, we invite you for a simple dinner at House of Ruth and Junia from 6-7 PM. Then we will convene in our gathering place in a big screen arrangement, where those physically present will join those who attend by zoom. This has been very successful and has even included non-ECC participants and attendees from other states. We realize that 7 PM PT may be too late for the majority of ECC members on the east coast or too early for those in Europe, so the sessions will be video recorded and made available for everyone to enjoy. Thus, ‘make-up’ sessions will be available if you miss one, or if you jump into the study at any later point in time, you can go back.

Some sessions may not be held physically at House of Ruth and Junia and may be zoomed when Jetty and Martha are away from the local area. For those sessions, obviously there will be no dinner and we will let participants know in advance when this is occurring. We might meet by zoom from Big Bear or even from Sint-Niklaas in Belgium! We have developed a tentative schedule covering all of 2023, subject to change, avoiding major holidays when folks are gathering in their families and their own local communities. We will make the schedule available to all attendees.

The first two sessions [1/25/23, 2/1/23] will employ an overview, with the second two sessions [2/8/23, 2/15/23] showing films (see below for more information), and people can visit or view them at home. We hope to roughly cover books of the Bible in something resembling chronological order.

Contact Information | Email, Call, or Text

Rev. Martha Rogers: 714-606-4365, rogersmartha@sbcglobal.net
Rev. Jetty Van den Berghe: 714-343-8274, pastorjettyvandenberghe@gmail.com

Session 3 – Wednesday, 2/8/23 from 6-8pm | Film Showing Information | Biblical Authors: Who Actually Wrote the Bible?

You are invited to a simple dinner and movie at House of Ruth and Junia! This invite is for anyone age 12+, young and old, within commuting distance of Anaheim! If you need transportation, let us know!

The Bible is the most widely read book in the history of the world. But does anyone know who really wrote it? What are the facts behind the creation of this immortal manuscript? New scientific research and theological insight may provide new clues. What can the Dead Sea Scrolls tell us about the origins of the Bible? Discover how modern technology may finally unravel this age-old mystery.

Please RSVP by Wednesday morning – call or text to 714-606-4365. Leave your name and how many coming with you.

This film is an introductory part of our 2023 Bible Study Series, And God Said What? Surveying the Entire Bible. Please feel free to come even if you don’t plan to be a ‘regular’ at the Bible Study!

Session 4 – Wednesday, 2/15/23 from 6-8pm | Film Showing Information | Discovering the Bible

You are invited to a simple dinner and movie at House of Ruth and Junia! This invite is for anyone age 12+, young and old, within commuting distance of Anaheim! If you need transportation, let us know!

The film this evening is Discovering the Bible, a BBC production. It will serve as an introduction to the incredible story of where the Bible actually came from and how it was passed down to us.

This film is an introductory part of our 2023 Bible Study Series, And God Said What? Surveying the Entire Bible. Please feel free to come even if you don’t plan to be a ‘regular’ at the Bible Study!

Please RSVP by Wednesday morning – call or text to 714-606-4365. Leave your name and how many coming with you.