First Discussion Session: "The Prayer of the Apostle Paul" (NHL I,1)

Friday, June 17 · 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Timezone: Mountain Daylight Saving Time (-6 GMT)

To prepare: Read the I,1 text from multiple perspective and hermeneutics.

Start with a naive reading. "Bracket out" presuppositions you have about the text, such as being part of a collection or part of "Gnosticism" as a context, or even the title attribution to Paul. Take notes of anything that strikes you or holds your interest.

Next, do a couple of contextual readings, noting what you find. Read with what you know of the apostle Paul in mind. Does that enhance the meaning of the text? Under the assumption that Paul didn't say or write this prayer, what does the text gain from such an attribution? Under the assumption Paul or a disciple of his said or wrote it, how does that change the understanding of the text?

Then read the text as a "Gnostic" text (however you understand that context). Again, make notes.

Follow Link to attend. Please, use your actual first name and omit clerical styles of address, as well as, indicators of academic or clerical standing.