Welcome to the Hollister Institute
The Hollister Institute provides opportunities for stimulating discussion and thoughtful exploration for everyone, whether or not they are members of a church. Courses are offered at St. Benedict’s Church in Los Osos. For more information about Hollister courses, contact stbenedicts1@aol.com.
Looking Ahead to the New Year:
Upcoming Hollister Discussions
Book discussion on "The Greatest Prayer" by John Dominic Crossan
Tuesdays at 7:15 pm, starting January 10
We are very used to the Lord's Prayer - many of us learned it as children - and so we rarely think about it in detail. Yet we pray it every Sunday. Now foremost scholar John Dominic Crossan presents it in a whole new light. He describes it as "both a revolutionary manifesto and a hymn of hope. It is revolutionary because it presumes and proclaims the radical vision of justice that is at the core of Israel's biblical tradition. It is a hymn because it presumes and produces poetic techniques that are the core of Israel's biblical poetry." He sees this apparently simple prayer as sparking a revolution. In studying this together we have the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the meaning of the prayer thus enabling us to pray it with greater understanding, as well as learning more about the context of Jesus' ministry which will enliven our understanding of all his teaching. Discussions led by led by the Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall.
Saving Darwin: How to Be a Christian and Believe in Evolution, by Karl Giberson
4 Thursdays, 10 am-noon, Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb 2
Did you know? Almost 100% of scientists accept Darwin’s theory of evolution, but more than 50% of Americans reject it, and the scientific discoveries that confirm it – because they believe it conflicts with their faith. Karl Giberson grew up in an evangelical Christian home but was educated as a scientist, and then taught physics on the college level. As a student of science, Giberson discovered that his fundamentalist belief system couldn’t help him make sense of the world scientists were discovering. Wrestling first with science and then with his faith, Giberson not only came to accept Darwin’s theory but also found a way to remain a committed Christian. Reading Saving Darwin will give us an opportunity to hear Giberson’s personal story, to examine the theory of evolution with the help of a gifted teacher, and to understand why so many Americans still resist the theory for religious reasons. (We may also come to better understand our nation’s current struggles with religion and politics!) Discussions led by the Rev. Donna Ross. To register, email donnaross@charter.net or call 235-5117.
The Faith Instinct: How Religion Evolved and Why It Endures, by Nicholas Wade
6 Thursdays, 10 am-noon, Feb 23, Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Why are human beings religious? Nicholas Wade, a science writer for the New York Times, tells an extraordinary story in which we come to see that human morality, community, and religion are actually three strands of the same rope. In a spell-binding and wide-ranging account, this book offers a natural history of religion and convincingly explains why it is here to stay. Both believers and atheists will find something to argue about in Wade's book. Our reading should lead to some fascinating discussions – and it will give us an opportunity to look at both the value and the drawbacks of religious beliefs and behaviors. Discussions led by the Rev. Donna Ross. To register, email donnaross@charter.net or call 235-5117.