Welcome to the website of The Rutland Theological Society
The aim of the society is to provide an inter-denominational forum, with a stimulating programme of topics and speakers, where current and theological ideas are shared. The Society does not promote any particular school of thought, but is open to the whole range of theological opinions and seeks to promote knowledge, understanding and debate.
Meetings take place in Oakham Methodist Church and normally conclude at 9pm.
Cost: £3 per attendance; £15 annually.
Directions to Oakham Methodist Church
Oakham Methodist Church is located on Northgate. There is some parking on the street but it may be best to park in the Church Street Car Park, opposite All Saints Church. As you come out of the car park, turn right along Church Street and then turn immediately right up Northgate, passing the Wheatsheaf pub on your left. There is a sign on the corner of Chruch Street and Northgate pointing to the Methodist Church. Carry on up Northgate past Barlow Road and Finkey Street on your left. The Griff Inn is on your left just after Finkey Street and the Methodist Church is then just past the Griff Inn, also on your left.
You can also get to the church from the top of Station Road near to the level crossing. The turn into Northgate is near the level crossing and the Methodist Church is then on your right.
2009/10 Programme
Thursday 24th September.
The search for justice: Apartheid South Africa and Israel/Palestine.
Rev Brian Brown: now retired, served as a Methodist Minister in his South African birthplace where he was Deputy Director of the Christian Institute of Southern Africa until, in 1977, he was banned by the apartheid regime.
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Thursday 29th October.
The Theology of Burial and Cremation.
John Lampard: is a Methodist minister who has researched and written about dying, death and disposal, liturgically, theologically and practically, for over twenty years. He is vice-chair of the ecumenical Churches Funerals Group and sits on two government advisory committees on funeral issues.
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Thursday 26th November
Theophany – what does it mean to see the Lord?
Margaret Barker: Cambridge theologian, Biblical scholar, author of twelve books, former president of the Society of Old Testament Studies. Her book Temple Theology was recently shortlisted for the Michael Ramsey prize for theological writing.
Download a flyer here
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December – no meeting.
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Thursday 28th January
CHANGE OF PROGRAMME
Due to bereavement, Canon Gray is unable to speak to the Society on this date. The change to the programme is shown below:
Science and religion: do they have anything to say to each other?
Chris Knight: Chair of the Society and a research scientist for 22 years.
A downloadable flyer will be available nearer the time
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Thursday 25th February.
The Book of Revelation.
Rev Dr Ian Paul: Dean of Studies at St John’s, Nottingham. His PhD examined the interpretation of the imagery of the Book of Revelation – a topic on which he has published extensively.
Download a flyer here
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March – no meeting.
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Thursday 29th April.
Old and New Approaches in Talking about the (Un)reliability of the Bible: From the apostolic fathers to post-modern text critics.
Dr Dirk Jongkind: Research Fellow in New Testament Text and Language at Tyndale House, Cambridge and Fellow of St. Edmund’s College. His research interests include the history and transmission of the Greek New Testament text, as well as the history and social world of the New Testament.
A downloadable flyer will be available nearer the time
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Thursday 27th May, Followed by the AGM.
CHANGE OF PROGRAMME
Jesus and Politics.
Dr. Alan Storkey: Economist, sociologist and artist. Has held various academic posts and has written a number of books on social and political issues, including “Jesus and Politics”.