Sarum College is an ecumenical study and research centre with an international reputation for excellence in theological education and spiritual reflection.
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Sarum College Bookshop is Salisbury's most established independent Christian and theological bookshop.
The Sarum College Library has an outstanding academic theological collection of more than 40,000 books covering all denominations.
Meet the Academic Staff
Karen O’DonnellCoordinator, Centre for Contemporary Spirituality Read more
Kim StephensChaplain, Sarum Centre for Formation in Ministry Read more
Beth DoddProgramme Leader for Postgraduate Programmes in Theology, Ministry and Mission Read more
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- This event has passed.
(Cancelled) Confronting the Violence in the Old Testament
- Course Dates: Sat 18 April 2020, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here.
The Old Testament is full of violence- isn’t it?
The God of the Old Testament is vengeful and wrathful- isn’t he? This course will tackle some of the hardest Old Testament texts and ask the question; can we love the Old Testament and believe in the goodness of God.
The Flood… the sacrifice of animals… the conquest of Canaan… the rape of the Levite’s concubine… the violent prayers of the psalmist. Violence permeates the Old Testament. Is it possible to believe in the goodness of God without rejecting the Old Testament? These are big questions, and there are no final answers, but it is not true that we must throw up our hands in defeat. Careful, thoughtful and honest exploration can shed helpful light on even the most difficult of these texts.
In this one-day course, Baptist minister and Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence Helen Paynter will lead us through some of the more problematic passages of the Hebrew Bible, and will help us to wrestle honestly with them. Along the way, she will highlight ways in which they might be dealt with in a pastorally helpful way in our churches.
