Rediscovering a Legacy
Fall 2018 (Central Arkansas)
Does the church in Central Arkansas need a course on historical theology? Probably not. The church is undoubtedly best served when it is encouraged and built up through the preaching of the Word, making disciples, and addressing the numerous injustices and social issues we face today. However, there might be times when it is helpful for Christians to pause and revisit their theological inheritance so that they might more thoughtfully and faithfully engage the world in which we live.
As one theologian puts it:
“Good history makes us think again about the definition of things we thought we understood pretty well, because it engages not just with what is familiar but with what is strange. It recognizes that ‘the past is a foreign country’ as well as being our past.” (Rowan Williams, Why Study the Past?)
Therefore, when the church looks to its history, it isn’t simply a matter of cataloging a series of events, but rather it is a looking and listening for that which continues to feed and nourish the church’s faith today.
This course is an opportunity to do just that – look to the past to be encouraged in the present. The hope in offering this is that Christians in Central Arkansas from all kinds of churches and walks of life will begin to discover and appreciate the rich resources available in the church’s theological reflection over the past two thousand years.
When:
From mid-September through mid-December, this course will meet once a week for 1.5 hours. NOTE: Even though there are two meetings per week, identical material will be covered each evening. You are free to attend the night that works best for you week to week.
Tuesdays (6:30pm-8:00pm)
Thursdays (6:30pm-8:00pm)
A ‘preview’ session on September 11th and 13th (Tuesday and Thursday) will introduce the class and provide an overview of what to expect. The class will formally begin the following week.
Where:
Fellowship North – 1 East 52nd Place, North Little Rock, AR 72116
Text:
Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought (2nd Edition) by Alister McGrath
Cost:
The course is being offered on a donation basis. If you are unable to contribute anything, you are still most welcome to participate.
Register:
Simply fill out the ‘Contact Form‘ and let me know which night you think you will be able to attend most regularly – Tuesday or Thursday.
You can also use the contact form to ask any questions you might have about the course. I’m looking forward to possibly having you be part of this learning community!