This is a repeat of the well-received seminar run at the London Mennonite Centre in October 2007. It comes out of Colin’s own study of Matthew’s Gospel, looking for ways in which Jesus can be seen as a living demonstration of the way of life that he taught his disciples. Colin says:

“Fascinating insights emerged as I examined the way Matthew tells the story of Jesus. As I read, I was asking two main questions: ‘What is the overall shape of the narrative?’ and ‘What impact does it have if we pay attention to relationship dynamics, levels of tension, choice of words, body language and tone of voice?’ It became clear that Matthew highlights tense incidents. Jesus is shown facing opposition at many points but by his actions and his teaching he subverts everyday assumptions about the way conflict must pan out.”

During the seminar, participants will voyage through the whole of Matthew’s Gospel. Colin will show how the book can be read as a seven-act drama, in which the movement of the plot is mirrored in the movements from place to place.

The seminar will be participatory in style, bringing imagination, and empathy to Matthew’s story, so as to appreciate its striking portrait of Jesus.

Tuesday 12 February 2008 at St Nic's, Durham
9:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Fee: £30
Fee Includes VAT and meal.
Ref: CC299

Recommended Reading: The Gospel of Matthew; How to Learn Through Conflict by Colin Patterson; Nonviolent Story, by Robert Beck (Orbis Books, 1996); and Matthew as Story, by Jack Dean Kingsbury (Fortress, 1986)