Course Descriptions
Thursday/Friday Two-Day Courses
Choose one workshop below that will meet Thursday (2:45 - 5:30 pm) and Friday (9:00 - 11:45 am and 2:00 - 4:45 pm)
T/F-1 Politics and Prophecy: How We Know God’s Will, According to First Samuel
Roy L. Heller
Associate Professor of Old Testament
How do we know the will of God? This course will take a look at the various ways that the book of First Samuel addresses that question. The answer might not be as simple as you think!
Suggested Reading: Bring your Bible to class
T/F-2 You Are What You Sing! Twenty-First Century Theology Through Congregational Song
C. Michael Hawn
University Distinguished Professor of Church Music, Director of Sacred Music Program
This class will explore a systematic theology through congregational song, comparing especially hymns of the 18th, 19th and earlier 20th centuries on specific theological themes with the most recent developments in congregational song in the last fifty years. The purpose will be to develop skills in understanding how congregational song transmits theology.
Download Suggested Reading: An Overview of Congregational Song in the Twenty-First Century
T/F-3 Christianity in a Religiously Plural World: A Biblical Exploration
Robert A. Hunt
Director of Global Theological Education
This class will examine the roots of a Christian understanding of the origins and nature of a plurality of religions in Jewish scripture. We will then go on to explore New Testament perspectives on religious plurality and how contemporary Christians can formulate biblically-based approaches to Christian mission in a world of different religions.
Suggested Reading: The Gospel Among the Nations: A Documentary History of Inculturation by Robert Hunt
T/F-4 Rethinking and Refocusing the Spiritual Life
Frederick W. Schmidt
Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality, Director of Spiritual Life and Formation
Explore both the motivations and shape of spirituality in this class which is designed to identify the perspectives and practices that make for a spirituality that can deepen and enliven a life of engagement with God and with others.
Suggested Reading: Sanctuary of the Soul by Richard Foster
Saturday One-Day Courses
Choose one workshop below that will meet Saturday (9:00 - 11:45 am and 2:30 - 5:15 pm)
S-1 Matthew: Meaning and Mission
Jaime Clark-Soles
Associate Professor of New Testament
From beginning to end, Chapter 1 to Chapter 28, the Gospel of Matthew persistently proclaims that God is with us. It’s a beautiful sentiment but what does that look like in real life? Is it true? What assurances and commitments does it imply for us? Let’s jump into conversation with and about this sacred text.
Suggested Readings: Matthew (Interpretation Bible Studies) by Alyce McKenzie; God With Us: A Pastoral Theology of Matthew’s Gospel by Mark Allan Powell
S-2 The Use of the Bible in Modern American Politics
John C. Holbert
Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics
Increasingly, our politicians have used the Bible to shore up their campaigns for elected office and to suggest to the potential voter that they are “right with God” in their political pursuits. In this workshop we will look at the various ways that the Bible has been used, and abused, by politicians in their search for our votes.
Suggested Reading: Thumpin’ It by Jacques Berlinerblau
S-3 Faith and Fear in Biblical Perspective
Alyce M. McKenzie
George W. and Nell Ayers LeVan Endowed Professor of Preaching and Worship
This class will look at the role of fear in the life of faith and the role of faith in lives dominated by fear. Fear isn’t all bad in the Bible. The fear of the Lord is said to be the beginning of wisdom. But it is not the same as the fear that “God’s gonna getcha!” How does a healthy dose of respect for God’s “Godness” factor into our lives so we can live free of fear of lesser things?
Suggested Reading: Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear by Scott Bader-Saye
S-4 Grace under Pressure: Negotiating the Heart of Christianity via the Methodist Traditions
Joerg Rieger
Wendland-Cook Professor of Constructive Theology
Christianity is not primarily about religion or morality. It is about grace under pressure. Within Christianity, the Methodist traditions have embodied the insight that God’s grace is more authentically experienced in the midst of the pressures of life than on the mountaintops. Examples will be drawn from contemporary discussions of empire and economics.
Suggested Reading: Grace under Pressure: Negotiating the Heart of the Methodist Traditions by Joerg Rieger