Theology on Tap Books
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Our Theology on Tap gathering meets every third Monday of the month to discuss current events and topics of theology and spirituality. These are some of the books we’ve studied over the last several years.
“What is the Bible?” by Rob Bell
What Is the Bible? provides insights and answers that make clear why the Bible is so revered and what makes it truly inspiring and essential to our lives. Rob takes us deep into actual passages to reveal the humanity behind the Scriptures. You cannot get to the holy without going through the human, Rob tells us. When considering a passage, we shouldn’t ask "Why did God say . . .?" To get to the heart of the Bible’s meaning, we should be "What’s the story that’s unfolding here and why did people find it important to tell it?”
Believe by Ross Douthat
As a columnist for the New York Times who writes often about spiritual topics for a skeptical audience, Ross Douthat understands that many of us want to have more faith than we do. Douthat argues how religious belief makes sense of the order of the cosmos and our place within it, illuminates the mystery of consciousness, and explains the persistent reality of encounters with the supernatural.
“The Tears of Things” by Richard Rohr
How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel in such an unjust world? In his most personal book yet, Richard Rohr turns to the writings of the Jewish prophets, revealing how some of the lesser-read books of the Bible offer us a crucial path forward today. The prophets’ writings reflect the full spectrum of human maturity. In almost every case, their initial rage evolves into a profound grief about our shared human condition.
“Better Ways to Read the Bible” by Zach Lambert
As a pastor for more than ten years, Zach Lambert has seen the Bible used countless times as something far from the "Good Book.” He has seen the Bible weaponized to subjugate women, justify racism, bash LGBTQ+ people, cover up abuse, and exclude people who speak out against these injustices. In this compassionate guide, Lambert dismantles four common lenses for reading the Bible that lead to harm, then offers four new lenses that promote healing and wholeness.
Got Questions?
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Got questions about St. John’s or your faith? Get in touch with our Pastoral Staff to talk or meet in-person.
Pastor Theresa Cho | theresa@stjohnssf.org
Pastor Sam Lundquist | sam@stjohnssf.org