Spring Academy Courses

• A Closer Look at the Book of Exodus
with Tom Dozeman; hosted by the John Knox Class
Beginning Sunday, March 30 at 9:30 a.m. in the Page Smith Room (4 weeks; $5)

Is the power of God able to change a violent world? How do we know that God is with us in our life journey? It is these central questions of faith that the book of Exodus probes.

The first half of the book, chapters 1–15, explores the power of Yahweh to combat the violence of an oppressive empire. The second half, chapters 16–40, probes life with God as a wilderness journey of faith.

In this course, we will explore the themes of the book of Exodus in four parts: (1) The Power of Conscience and Civil Disobedience (Exodus 1–7); (2) God and Empire (Exodus 8–15); (3) The Life of Faith as a Pilgrimage (Exodus 16–18); and (4) Living Dangerously at the Mountain of God (Exodus 19–40).

Tom Dozeman teaches Hebrew and Old Testament courses at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His research interests include archaeology, ancient Middle Eastern cultures, and the literary function of geography in the formation of the Pentateuch. He serves as co-chair of the Pentateuch Section of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL).


• An Introduction to the New Testament
with Adam Fronczek
Beginning Sunday, March 30 at 9:30 a.m. in Anderson Hall South Balcony (8 weeks; $10)

In this class, we will be introduced to “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God” by walking through the New Testament book by book, placing the books, stories, and writings in the context of the story of Jesus Christ and the foundation of Christian faith. Class time will be divided between lecture material and the study of a biblical passage that exemplifies the week’s topic. Participants also will discuss well-known Bible stories, relating them to their relevance in biblical times and now.

Adam Fronczek is the Associate Pastor for Adult Education and Worship at Fourth Presbyterian Church.


• Theology Goes to the Movies
with John Vest
Beginning Sunday, March 30 at 9:30 a.m. in Anderson Hall North Balcony B (4 weeks; $5)

We all love to watch movies for entertainment. But popular films also tell us a lot about ourselves as individuals and as a society, reflecting and challenging our faith and values. After an introductory survey of the many intersections of religion and film, we’ll explore, through short clips and group discussions, issues and questions raised by three recent movies.

John Vest is the Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry at Fourth Presbyterian Church and has an avid interest in popular culture and film.


• An Introduction to Mormonism: An Outsider’s Look In
with Seth Perry
Beginning Sunday, April 27 at 11:00 a.m. in Anderson Hall South Balcony (4 weeks; $5)

In the mind of the public today, Mormonism inhabits a strange territory between a church and a cult. In this course, we will debunk stereotypes while also discussing the relevance of real differences in faith. The course will cover the history of the Church of Latter Day Saints/Mormon (LDS) faith, juxtaposed with details of current Mormon theology. Beginning with Joseph Smith’s life and career, we will continue on to explore LDS doctrine concerning the nature of God, the distinctive LDS scriptures, the importance of temples, prophetic leadership, and other related topics.

Seth Perry is a PhD candidate in the history of Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School. His article “Mitt Romney and the Public Perception of Mormonism” was published in the winter 2008 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education’s The Chronicle Review.


• Understanding Black Churches and Their Traditions
with guest lectures
Beginning Sunday, May 4 at 11:00 a.m. (3 weeks)

What should Fourth Church members and friends make of news reports, like the ones we have seen lately, about black churches and their preachers? Pastor John Buchanan helped us begin to think about that with his March 30 comments on the stories about Jeremiah Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ (www.fourthchurch.org/JMBonJeremiahWright.html).

In a three-part series beginning Sunday, May 4, we will seek to understand more fully the history, context, and roles that black churches play in the United States, as members of local communities and the body politic. Guest speakers will include the Reverend Dr. Deborah Mullen, the Reverend Dr. Sharon Ellis Davis, and the Reverend Dr. Deborah Kapp
    
May 4: The Prophetic Voice of the Black Church
May 11: Preaching and Worship in the Black Church
May 18: Music and the Arts in the Black Church

Then on Wednesday evening, May 21, the Reverend Dr. Dwight Hopkins will help us further think about what to make of the recent news reports about black churches and their preachers. Dr. Hopkins, who is Professor of Theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School, works in the areas of contemporary models of theology, black theology, and liberation theologies and is the author of several books, including Being Human: Race, Culture, and Religion.

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