Save the Dates! A Lenten Series on the Historical Jesus

Today’s blog posting is an announcement of a Lenten course I will be offering beginning on February 20th. The course is sponsored by The Ecumenical Table of Madison and Fayette Counties and by the Berea College Women and Gender Studies program. It is open to all, and will be held in the Women and Gender Studies Center of Berea College on Wednesdays, Feb. 20th and 27th and on March 6th, 20th and 27th. (The Center is located on the second floor of Phelps-Stokes Chapel.) Sessions will run from 7:00 to 8:30. Here are the details:

From Jesus to Christ
The Quest of the Historical Jesus
(A Lenten Series for Seekers of an Adult Faith)

Course Description: This is a five-session Lenten experience of presentations by Mike followed by extensive group discussion. Its purpose is to enrich this Lent’s observance by helping participants to “meet Jesus again for the first time” – as thoughtful adults. To this end, participants will be introduced to the centuries-long “Quest of the Historical Jesus” and its importance to understanding Jesus and his relevance for our contemporary world – particularly to church, spirituality, and engagement with world issues. The course will focus on the Gospel of Mark (the earliest of the four canonical gospels). Reflection on Mark will be facilitated by reading and discussion of Ched Myers’ “Binding the Strong Man,” a series of Lenten reflections first published in Sojourners Magazine. (Texts will be supplied). Mike’s blog-site series on the historical Jesus and on Mary Magdalene will give additional input (http://www.mikerivageseul.wordpress.com/). The hope is that along with course sessions, a prayerful reading of Mark’s gospel accompanied by the other sources will provide inspiring and provocative Lenten reading for all. Presentations will be supplemented by excerpts from the PBS series, “From Jesus to Christ.”

Session Content

Wed. Feb. 20: Paradigms of Faith: four approaches to the Bible and faith
Wed. Feb. 27: The Quest of the Historical Jesus: history, principles,relevance
Wed. Mar. 6: Stages in the Development of the Christian Tradition:Jesus to Christ
Wed. Mar. 20: The Gospel of Mark: Its purposes and political import
Wed. Mar. 27: Finding our Places in the Church: the church as caravan

Typical Session Organization

1. Film Clip: “From Jesus to Christ” (10 minutes)
2. Presentation by Mike (30 minutes)
3. Questions and responses (15 minutes)
4. Break (5 minutes)
5. Discussion of Myers’ reading (30 minutes)

Please mark these dates on your calendar. Make this Lent purposeful and focused.