Read and Study with DCOH
Join fellow book-lovers and learners around the Diocese of Christ Our Hope to study a variety of works focused on the Christian life, theology, and the intersection of the gospel and culture.
General Information
The DCOH Book Club is open to laity and clergy in the diocese as well as friends and Christian leaders from outside the diocese! We hope for a broad and diverse group that will bring unique insight into each discussion.
Meetings will take place the first Thursday of every month at 7:30pm via Zoom.
Our first book is Reading Black Books: How African American Literature Can Make Our Faith More Whole and Just by our very own Rev. Claude Atcho, vicar of Church of the Resurrection in Charlottesville, VA.
Club Details
Reading Black Books
Discussion Guides
Chapter 1: The Image of God in The Invisible Man (February 1, 2024)
Consider the following questions as you read The Invisible Man:
- How have you understood what it means to be made in the image of God?
- In your view, does the novel's emphasis on bodies and physicality illustrate or contradict what it means to be an image bearer?
- How does the novel's theme of invisibility help us understand how we can truly "see" others as image bearers?
- Who are the "invisible" in your community? What would it take for them to be seen with dignity?
Chapter 4: Jesus in "Christ Recrucified" and "The Black Christ" (March 7, 2024)
Consider the following questions as you read "Christ Recrucified" and "The Black Christ":
- Which of Cullen’s poems resonates most with you? Discuss Cullen’s use of imagery and perspective in each and its impact.
- What does it mean to consider Jesus as one who suffers for, with, and like us?
- In what ways are the cross and lynching connected? Are there any dangers in pressing this
connection too far? - In what ways were Cullen’s poems a corrective to the Christological and ethical failures of
his day? What correctives—or retrievals—are needed today in the American church’s vision
of Jesus? - How can communities and individuals avoid domesticating their notion of Jesus, making him a contentless banner for pet
causes?
Chapter 10: Hope in "For My People" (April 4, 2024)
Discussion Guide Coming Soon
Chapter 5: Salvation in Moses, Man of the Mountain (May 2, 2024)
Consider the following questions as you read Moses, Main of the Mountain:
- What do you make of Hurston’s alterations to the biblical exodus narrative? Did Moses, Man of the Mountain defamiliarize the biblical narrative for you? Did you find this constructive or unhelpful?
- In what ways can we today learn from African Americans’ historical attention to the exodus narrative?
- How would you explain the biblical conception of salvation? Does Hurston's novel and/or the Exodus narrative help you think more robustly about salvation?
- Discuss the relationship between liberation and salvation in Moses, Man of the Mountain, and in the Christian life.
Chapter 9: Justice in The Man Who Lived Underground (June 6, 2024)
Consider the following questions as you read Richard Wright's The Man Who Lived Underground:
1. How is justice portrayed in the novel?
2. What do you make of Daniels’ religious affiliation and expression through the novel? What does this suggest about connections between faith, suffering and justice?
3. Where do you see similarities and differences between Daniels and Invisible from Invisible Man as characters and two works as novels?
4. How might this novel challenge us to deeper Christian reflection on the meaning and practice of justice in our own communities and society?
Note: if short on time, you may read the short story version from Richard Wright’s collection entitled Eight Men.