Pastors' Academy
Reading Groups
Ethics Reading Group
Our online Ethics Reading Group is led by our Tutor in Christian Ethics, Matthew Mason. The group discusses classic and contemporary ethics texts, some of which are immediately accessible, some of which are more challenging.
The group is open to anyone interested in Christian ethics, but is especially intended to help pastors think about important ethical questions and to dig deeper into what they are reading. Together, we learn from the writings of wise guides about how to think about and teach important ethical topics in ways that help and enrich our congregations.
Beginning in January and for the first half of 2024, we shall focus on various important ethical texts from the church fathers. The readings are drawn from the third, fourth and fifth centuries, feature authors from the Greek East and Latin West, and cover a variety of ethical themes. We shall read the texts critically, identifying areas of disagreement as well as ways in which they instruct us. Our study and discussion will help to deepen our understanding of the Christian life, and will reveal how the ethical writings of the early church can enrich our understanding of Scripture and so serve our preaching and pastoral ministry.
We shall study the following texts:
Ambrose, On the Duties of the Clergy (De Officiis)
Tertullian, Of Patience
Cyprian, Of the Advantage of Patience
Augustine, On Patience
Gregory of Nyssa, The Life of Moses
Gregory of Nyssa, Homilies on the Beatitudes
Augustine, On Lying
Augustine, Against Lying
Electronic copies of all the texts will be provided for those who sign up.
Dates
15 January
19 February
11 March
15 April
13 May
17 June
The six sessions are £60. If a session is missed a recording of that session can be provided.
To find out more about these or other London Seminary events please click the button below.
London Reading Group
Our reading group is open to any serious reader of Christian literature.
We meet several times a year to discuss classic and contemporary theological works. Our meetings are held at London Seminary in Finchley, from 11am to 3pm. Please bring a packed lunch with you.
Discussions for the book that we are reading are sent out by email about two weeks before the group meets. The questions are prepared by a volunteer from the group, who then leads the discussion.
In 2018/19 the group has read Apostasy from the Gospel by John Owen (abridged and made easy to read by R.J.K. Law), The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher, Calvin’s Company of Pastors by Scott M. Manetsch, and Thoughts on Religious Experience by Archibald Alexander.
To find out more about the group, and how to join, get in touch.
