Sundays, 9:40-10:40 am
April 3-24 (April 3, 10, 17, & 24): Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse” in the Gospel of John
One of the distinctive features of the gospel of John is the extended “farewell discourse” which is unique to this gospel, found in John 13:31-17:26. Here Jesus addresses major themes of Christian faith including the person and work of the Holy Spirit, the unity of the church, union with Christ, conflict with “the world” and the return of Christ. We will cover roughly one chapter per session, so there will be opportunity for in-depth engagement with the text. Come prepared to explore and to learn! The course will be taught by Jim Brownson, who serves as the James and Jean Cook Professor of New Testament at Western Theological Seminary (for his doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary, Jim wrote his dissertation on the farewell discourse in the gospel of John, so this is very familiar territory to him).
May 1- 22: Economics, Inequality, and Faith
Much of the 2016 political debate has centered on America’s economic inequality. What are the root causes and social consequences of inequality? What is a Christian perspective on economics, enterprise, income redistribution, worker rights, and monetary ethics?
May 1st: Jordan Bruxvoort, Micah Center (Grand Rapids): “Biblical Foundations of the Government’s Role in Administering Justice.”
May 8th: Gema Lowe, Organizer at the Workers Center of the Micah Center: “Workplace Injustice and What We Can Do About It.”
May 15th: Dr. Steven McMullen, Hope College Economics Department: “Christian reflection on the stories we tell about inequality and poverty.”
May 22nd: Dr. David Phillips, Hope College Economics Department: “What Has Been Happening to Inequality and Poverty? How Should the Church Respond?”