§ Winter Courses



The Exodus as a Rite of Passage:
Israel’s Wilderness Journey and the Christian Pilgrimage through Lent

Led by Tom Dozeman
Beginning Sunday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. in Anderson Hall South Balcony (4 weeks)

For Christians, Lent might be understood as a rite of passage—a time of spiritual wilderness on the journey to the cross. Where is this idea grounded in the Bible? This course will explore the wilderness experience in biblical tradition, both in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and in the Gospels, and will explore how these stories provide a model for Lent in Christian tradition as a preparation for Holy Week.

Tom Dozeman is Professor of Hebrew Bible at United Theological Seminary.

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Integrity in Business

Led by Leslie Pratch and Joyce Shin
Meeting Thursdays, February 11, February 25, and March 11
at 7:30 a.m. at 300 N. LaSalle St.

This course will combine clinical psychology and theological ethics to explore integrity as a desirable attribute for those who work in business settings. Participants will develop a vocabulary about integrity that will permit novel ways of responding appropriately at high-stress moments when integrity is most needed. They will also compare the psychological characteristics of persons who demonstrated high integrity to those who demonstrated low integrity. The course will be of particular to individuals who want to examine the struggle for integrity in light of their commitment to God and to the church as well as to individuals involved in selecting employers and employees.

Registration and a $10 registration fee are required for this class, which includes a light breakfast. For details or to register, contact Anita Bright.

Leslie Pratch, a clinical psychologist, received her M.A. in human development from the University of Chicago, an M.B.A. in strategy and finance from the University of Chicago, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Northwestern University.

Joyce Shin, Associate Pastor for Congregational Life at Fourth Presbyterian Church, is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago in the field of theological ethics.

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Presbyterianism and Catholicism

Led by Fred Holper
Beginning Sunday, February 28 at 9:30 a.m. in Anderson Hall South Balcony (4 weeks)

More and more Roman Catholics are worshiping in Presbyterian churches and Presbyterians are worshiping in Catholic churches. How similar are Catholics and Presbyterians? Are they moving closer together or farther apart? What happens when we bring what we remember from one tradition with us as we engage the other? This course will help those who have connections in each tradition understand the similarities and differences in both theology and practice. It will also help those who are unsure about some of the things they’ve heard gain some clarity. There will be time for questions and answers during each session.

Fred Holper is a former Catholic, now a Presbyterian, who teaches worship and sacraments at McCormick Theological Seminary.

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Callings: Vocations and the Christian Life

Led by Adam Fronczek
Beginning Sunday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. in Anderson Hall South Balcony (4 weeks)

“What am I called to do?” “Who is it that God wants me to be?” The universal struggle with these questions connects us as a human family. What does our Christian faith offer us to answer these questions? In the 2,000 years since Jesus walked on the earth, the world has become more complex, and many Christian theologians have accepted the challenge of speaking to a changing world. Questions about our calling evolved along the way as Christians confronted what it means to have a “call” not just to ministry but in the workplace and in the home. They asked what it means for women, children, the elderly, and the marginalized to be called. And they asked what it means to be called when you don’t like your job or you lose it or when you struggle to find meaning and fulfillment in your daily tasks. Through a study of four major periods in Christian history, class participants will study the ways Christians have sought to discover richer answers to questions of what we should do and who we should be. A short reading assignment will be given for each week.

Adam Fronczek, Associate Pastor for Adult Education and Worship at Fourth Church, has served as Education Director at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Center for Congregations.

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Love, Bible Style: Exploring the Song of Songs

Led by John Vest
Beginning Sunday, February 28 at 9:30 a.m. in Anderson Hall North Balcony A (4 weeks)

The Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, was an enigma for ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters of the Bible. Is this book, as it appears on the surface, a love poem full of romance and sexuality, or is it instead an extended allegory about God’s love for Israel or Jesus’ love for the church? This class will study this unique biblical text and some high points of its interpretation throughout history while considering what it means for us today.

John Vest, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry at Fourth Church, is a Ph.D. candidate in Hebrew Bible at the University of Chicago.

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The Qur’an

Led by Omer Mozaffar
Beginning Sunday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. in Anderson Hall North Balcony A (4 weeks)

This course serves as an overview of the Qur’an (the sacred text of the Muslim tradition), its meaning, its interpretations, and its relevance to today’s world. The challenge of exploring a religious tradition not our own is to explore it from within our own tradition as well as from the methods and manner of its own adherents. Thus this class will explore what is it about the Qur’an that compels Muslims to answer its call. Participants will explore the Qur’an, its themes, its content, its style, and its history as approached by Muslims across the globe and gain insights to better understand our Muslim friends and the wish we all share in common for peace in our time.

Omer Mozaffar is Professor of Religion at St. Xavier University. This class is his first with the Academy for Faith and Life.

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