New Study on Jesus and the Kingdom of God

After much anticipation we are about to embark on a new study.  “First Light” is a 12-session study of the historical Jesus and the Kingdom of God featuring the insights and wisdom of two of the world's leading Jesus scholars—John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg—on location throughout the Galilee and Jerusalem.

We will start this journey after worship on Sunday, January 24.  And our tentative schedule will continue as follows: Jan. 31, Feb. 14, Feb. 21, Feb. 28, Mar. 13, Mar. 20, Apr. 10, Apr. 17, Apr. 24, May 15, and May 22.
   
Some of the questions we will consider include:  Why did Jesus happen when he happened?  Why the confluence of the Baptism movement of John and the Kingdom movement of Jesus?  Why the tiny villages around the Lake?  Why the confrontations in Jerusalem?  Why then?  Why there?  Why were the titles of Caesar Augustus — Divine, Son of God, God from God, Lord, Redeemer, Liberator, and Savior of the World — taken from a Roman emperor on the Palatine hill and given to a Jewish peasant on the Palestine plain?  Was it low lampoon or high treason?  What were the priorities of Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom?  How was the status quo of Roman imperial theology subverted by this obscure Galilean whose message continues to indict empire today?
   
In John Dominic Crossan’s words:  "It is all I have to say about Jesus after half a century of study —in succinct summary."
   
Plan on bringing a bag lunch and staying after worship for this special class.  Join us!