The Estuary Book Club (Hobart)

The Estuary Book Club Hobart is a fortnightly group for people wanting to discuss religion, faith, and belief from the outside. We invite people from all backgrounds and philosophical positions to read a book with us, and chat about it in community.

An estuary is a body of water into which one or more rivers flows, and which also has access to the sea. It is a place of joining and mixing. This is what we are hoping our book club will be - a place where people can join and mix with others as we discuss some of life's deeper questions.

All backgrounds welcome—Christians, atheists, agnostics, and everyone in between

Imagine a gathering where:

• Your doubts are heard
• Your perspectives matter
• Complexity is embraced
• No belief is too controversial to discuss

We're not here to convert, but to understand. Our book club is a judgement-free zone where different worldviews can meet, challenge each other, and grow together—with a particular interest in exploring Christian thought.

We will slowly work our way through a variety of books and authors exploring life, faith and culture, albeit with a slant towards the Christian world view. Sceptics and enquirers are very welcome to come and share thoughts, to offer critique, to come learn together with us in a safe and open environment.

Subjects and Citizens by Michael Jensen.

From the blurb:
"Politics. Religion. Two things our society would like to be kept very separate. Some Christians agree, eager to be as removed from politics as possible. Other Christians seem to find more identity in their political engagement than in Christ. When we read the Bible, we find that God doesn not five us the option of following Jesus second to anything, let alone a social agenda. But he also doesn't give us the option of disengaging from politics; he has much to say about power, government and justice."

Michael Jensen’s Subjects and Citizens invites readers to reflect on how our modern ideas of personal freedom, responsibility, and belonging came to be. The book traces the historical move from seeing ourselves primarily as subjects under authority to citizens who claim rights and choices. Jensen then explores whether this modern picture is enough to sustain meaningful community and human dignity.

Drawing on the Christian story, he proposes an alternative vision of identity grounded in relationships—with one another and, in his view, with God. While written from a Christian perspective, the book raises universal questions that people of any background can engage with: What makes us who we are? What do we owe each other? And how do we build a society that truly honours human worth?

If you are interested in politics, and want to understand some of the key theological ideas that has shaped Christian thought for centuries, then this could be great for you! All political views welcome.

• When: Every second Wednesday at 1pm at the The St John's Reading Room (79 Davey Street)
• Cost: Free (whenever you join the first book is on us!)
• Who: Anyone looking for a community to discuss big ideas. Feel free to bring friends

Alistair Bain is the facilitator of the Estuary Book Club Hobart, and he will help conversation flow during our times together.

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