Theology on Zoom

About Theology on Zoom (TOZ)

We are all on a faith journey. We all travel on our own path and we all travel at our own
speed. Wherever you are on your faith journey (or if you are looking to find a path), you
are welcome to join our TOZ friends in faith who meet over Zoom every Wednesday
night from 7:00 pm to around 8:30 pm.

Theology is the study of religious belief, with a focus on the nature of divinity and the
history behind religion. While we principally discuss Christian theology, we also consider
all monotheistic and other faith traditions.

We organize our discussions around a study book (selected by the TOZ participants).
The study book is usually authored by a pastor, religion professor, faith leader, or other
social or moral authority. It usually takes us about two to three months to discuss each
book.

We apply exegesis and hermeneutics in our discussions. We typically reference
relevant passages from the Holy Bible, but we may also reference relevant passages
from the Hebrew Tanakh, the Muslim Quran, and even works of classical philosophy
and literature.

It is helpful – but not at all necessary – to read each week’s assigned book chapter. By
each Monday morning, we distribute a study outline and review questions for the week’s
reading assignment. These “Cliff Notes” outlines help us prepare for the week’s
discussion. Don’t have time to read the assigned chapter or the outline? No worries!
Just bring your faith – and your life experiences. You can actively join in the discussion
– or just listen to the others talk.

On TOZ each week, we explore what you believe. More importantly, we explore why
you believe what you believe. Each week we learn from each other. We challenge each
other. And we appreciate that we all have our own faith beliefs, traditions, and journeys.

Since theology is a study, each week we try to learn one new thing. It could be the
definition of a Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek word from an original biblical text; it could be
a historical fact about the Bible itself or a biblical event; or it could be the definition of a
new theology term (like exegesis or hermeneutics!). But whatever we learn (from each
other or from the study book), that insight helps each of us move along our faith journey.


All PCB members, guests, and community friends are invited to join TOZ each and
every week – or whenever you happen to have a free Wednesday night.
For more information, including the current Zoom invitation meeting ID and passcode,
please contact Robert Reilly at robertfreilly.cpa@gmail.com.

Theology on Zoom Updates!

UPDATE FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23rd:

Next Wednesday (on September 23rd), we will have a TOZ field trip. Author Robert P. Jones will be discussing his new book Backslide at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church from 7 pm to 9 pm. Many of our TOZ “regulars” expressed an interest in attending this presentation. Therefore, we will not have our weekly TOZ discussion on Wednesday, September 23rd.  Instead, our TOZ friends in faith are encouraged to attend the Jones presentation at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church.
 
Admission to the presentation is free, but attendees have to preregister to receive a ticket. Attached is a description of the event – with a QR code that can be used to register for a ticket. Alternatively, you can go to the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church website to register – that is at: lppchurch.org.
 
Preregistration is important, because you will need an emailed ticket for admission.
 
Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church is located at 600 West Fullerton Parkway in Chicago. Local parking is virtually nonexistent. Through the QR (or church website) registration, attendees can prepurchase $6 validated parking at the nearby Lurie Children’s Outpatient Clinic at 2515 North Clark Street.
 
Second, TOZ will resume on Wednesday September 30th, at our regular 7 pm time. At that time, we will discuss chapter 11 of our current TOZ study book, Holy Envy. Also, at that TOZ session, we will vote for our next TOZ study book.
 
The three TOZ “next book” candidates are:
  1. Backslide by Robert P. Jones
  2. The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
  3. What Christians Can Learn from Other Religions by J. Philip Wogaman
     
Copies of the covers for these three candidate study books are attached to this email.
 
We strongly encourage even the most occasional TOZ attendee to vote. Anyone who cannot attend the TOZ session on September 30th can still vote by sending their selection to Robert Reilly by email

The Theology on Zoom friends in faith have selected Holy Envy by Barbara Brown Taylor as
our next study book.
Starting Wednesday June 24th , each Wednesday evening we will discuss this 2019-published (Harper One publishers) book that is subtitled Finding God in the Faith of Others.
Barbara Brown Taylor is a former Episcopalian minister and New York Times bestselling author.
Some years ago, Taylor transitioned from a career in church ministry to become the Butman professor of religion at Piedmont College in
Georgia.
The twelve chapters of Holy Envy follow Taylor for one semester as she teaches a world religions course to her undergraduate students.
In each chapter (which can be read independently), Taylor introduces her students (and us) to one of the major faith
traditions of the world. Taylor explains to her mostly Christian students (and to us) how
studying these different traditions can clarify our own beliefs and strengthen our own
faith. She also explains how to find tolerance and common ground among all faith traditions.
Please join our TOZ friends in faith as we expand our understanding of other religions
and traditions through our study of Holy Envy. Theology on Zoom will be on “study
leave” on Wednesday July 1st and Wednesday July 8th . On those two Wednesday
evenings (at 6:30 pm), PCB will have its own section at the Citizens Park concert series
in downtown Barrington. 
For all other Wednesday evenings this summer, join your TOZ friends in faith (at 7:00
pm) as we study Holy Envy. At TOZ, we believe that God wants us to love Him not only
with our hearts – but also with our minds. We believe the life of Christian faith is not the
naïve recitation of creeds and kerygma. Rather, we believe that Christian faith is
profoundly thoughtful!
Therefore, bring your faith – and your intellect – as we explore world religions on
Wednesday nights with the help of Barbara Brown Taylor and Holy Envy.

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