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!
Our Theology on Zoom friends in faith have selected our next study book. Starting on Wednesday April 22nd, we will read and discuss Being Presbyterian in a Dysvangeical America by Ted V. Foote and P. Alex Thornburg. Foote is a professor at Austin Presbyterian Seminary. Thornburg is the pastor of a Presbyterian church in Iowa.
This book is brand new. It holds a 2026 copyright by Westminster John Knox Press. It is available in paperback (from Amazon and other sources) and Kindle formats.
Theology on Zoom is not politics on Zoom. However, we live in a society and a culture that sometimes seems dysfunctional and that seems to misinterpret – and misapply – Christian beliefs. Political, social, and even faith leaders seem to justify social injustice, economic imbalance, military actions, and Christian nationalism as being consistent with Reformed theology. What are faithful Presbyterians supposed to think – and do?
As self-described by the authors, “Being Presbyterian in a Dysfunctional America equips readers to name what feels wrong, rediscover what is right, and live into a gospel that is still good news for all”.
Theology on Zoom meets (online) every Wednesday evening from 7:00 pm to around 8:30 pm. As we start this new study book, this is a great time to join our friends in faith discussion group. You don’t have to attend every week. If you didn’t get a chance to do the reading, don’t worry. You can still join in. The discussions are free-flowing and openended. You are welcome to contribute any opinions – or just listen in.
If you are travelling anywhere on a faith journey, come and share that journey with us!
If you find the evening news disturbing – and current events being justified by a distorted interpretation of God’s grace – join your Theology on Zoom friends. We may not solve the world’s problems each week, but we do grow in faith as we uplift each other.