“Christians are people of the book,” explains the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton. “Unfortunately, it’s a really, really, long and confusing book. And it is a book written over a period of a couple of thousand years, in three languages (Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic). And it uses a variety of literary forms (legend, history, preaching, poetry, letters, short stories, etc.) to proclaim its message. So, it is no wonder that most of us don’t feel like we understand it as well as we should or want to.”

            On April 21 from 9 am to 4 pm in the Parish Hall at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Dr. Chilton will lead us on a “romp through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation,” basing his work on extensive academic scriptural study and forty years of preaching and teaching the Bible to youth and adults in congregations, as well as to parish pastors in continuing education for clergy workshops. We will learn how to fit each individual biblical book into the overall story of God’s relationship with God’s people. We will also consider how our personal stories become a part of the “Big Picture” of God’s graceful ways with the world.

            The Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton has studied scripture at UNC - Chapel Hill, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, The Lutheran Seminary in Columbia, SC, and the University of Oxford. He has taught scripture to clergy in Continuing Education programs at Hinton Center, The Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, Earlham School of Religion, The North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends Pastors Conference, and the Academy for Christian Excellence of the Baptist Christian Fellowship, International. He is also co-producer of the Lectionary Lab podcast “Two Bubbas and a Bible” along with the Rev.  Dr. John Faircloth.

            There is no charge for this teaching event, and all are welcome. There will be a one-hour break for lunch. If possible, please notify Good Shepherd if you plan to eat lunch provided by the sponsoring Adult Spiritual Formation Committee (donation requested).  Call Good Shepherd at 828-389-3397 or Kathy Wright in the evening, 828-837-6703. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is located 1/2 mile east of Hayesville on Highway 64.