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Pendle Hill Pamphlets
Approaching the Gospels
Book by Morrison, Mary Chase
31 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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February 23, 2025
Morrison led a Gospel study group at Pendle Hill for some time, according to the brief introductory bio. She considered herself Episcopalian-Quaker (slightly more of the former). She begins by declaring the Bible/Gospels the myth of the Hebrew people and of one person, Jesus Christ. Myths are used to help sort out our questions of existence, being and how to live.
Next, she reminds us that the meaning of many words has changed over time or become obsolete and unknown. Also, that translations can vary significantly, particularly as they are increasingly written for accessibility to the contemporary audience – or to convey particular messages that correspond with the translator(s)’ beliefs or intentions. (I’m reminded of the choice of dominion for the word “husbanding.” Morrison points out truth and tree share the same root.
Understanding the context, biases, background, setting for the authors is important for understanding any text (its limitations, its insights) and adjusting our expectations – or better not coming to the text with our own biases and expectations. She calls this a fresh and open reading. She cautions that this is exactly not how the Bible is approached. Most readers assume it works for all time as written.
So applying the need for context and setting, she reminds us the people of the New Testament (Hebrew residents of Palestine) are a very small and powerless group governed by a empire (the Roman) with its own laws and ways which run at times counter to the strict ways of the Hebrews.
Think in contemporary times of the Tribal Nations or Amish in the U.S. One culture living inside another more dominant one. And there is resentment of the dominant one. Rather than taking matters into their own hands, they see one person, a leader who will rescue them, free them, from the oppressors.
The Hebrews aren’t the only ones who feel this way. Other groups of people and their lands are also under Roman rule. The authors of the New Testament see Jesus as speaking to all of these people, not just his own. He then is might be seen as not just a son of Nazareth or Israel, but a son of all mankind, a son of man. The choice of the word son seems more important then too; not the Leader, but a subordinate.
That's just one example of how Morrison's short pamphlet helps spur fresh or different thinking about the text. She also points out the use of paradox in many of the quotes of Jesus and its commonality as a technique employed in many other religions and as a means of getting people to think.
She encourages group readings and discussion of the Gospels and comparing translations. It helps bring dead words – of any text – to life. The pamphlet includes an appendix to help interested readers to structure their own gospel study group with suggested procedures for the group, the group leader and the members.
It's a useful pamphlet and worthy read for how to approach any writing.
Next, she reminds us that the meaning of many words has changed over time or become obsolete and unknown. Also, that translations can vary significantly, particularly as they are increasingly written for accessibility to the contemporary audience – or to convey particular messages that correspond with the translator(s)’ beliefs or intentions. (I’m reminded of the choice of dominion for the word “husbanding.” Morrison points out truth and tree share the same root.
Understanding the context, biases, background, setting for the authors is important for understanding any text (its limitations, its insights) and adjusting our expectations – or better not coming to the text with our own biases and expectations. She calls this a fresh and open reading. She cautions that this is exactly not how the Bible is approached. Most readers assume it works for all time as written.
So applying the need for context and setting, she reminds us the people of the New Testament (Hebrew residents of Palestine) are a very small and powerless group governed by a empire (the Roman) with its own laws and ways which run at times counter to the strict ways of the Hebrews.
Think in contemporary times of the Tribal Nations or Amish in the U.S. One culture living inside another more dominant one. And there is resentment of the dominant one. Rather than taking matters into their own hands, they see one person, a leader who will rescue them, free them, from the oppressors.
The Hebrews aren’t the only ones who feel this way. Other groups of people and their lands are also under Roman rule. The authors of the New Testament see Jesus as speaking to all of these people, not just his own. He then is might be seen as not just a son of Nazareth or Israel, but a son of all mankind, a son of man. The choice of the word son seems more important then too; not the Leader, but a subordinate.
That's just one example of how Morrison's short pamphlet helps spur fresh or different thinking about the text. She also points out the use of paradox in many of the quotes of Jesus and its commonality as a technique employed in many other religions and as a means of getting people to think.
She encourages group readings and discussion of the Gospels and comparing translations. It helps bring dead words – of any text – to life. The pamphlet includes an appendix to help interested readers to structure their own gospel study group with suggested procedures for the group, the group leader and the members.
It's a useful pamphlet and worthy read for how to approach any writing.
Displaying 1 of 1 review