Special Feature
Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School Lay Academy of Theology is once again offering a great opportunity for believers to delve deeper into the Scriptures while growing closer to God. Spring classes are offered in the afternoons and evenings and there is a wide range of class topics from which to choose. This is a wonderful time to learn and grow in your faith under the direction and guidance of several Divinity School professors.
“The Cost of Discipleship: Reading the Sermon on the Mount with Dietrich Bonhoeffer” is one of many classes being offered this semester. Dr. Mike Pasquarello, who will teach this course on six Tuesday nights from 6-8 p.m. beginning on February 26, says that this class “is an invitation for participants to become better acquainted with the life and ministry of a major Christian figure from the 20th century.” Dr. Pasquarello, who is the Methodist Chair of Divinity at Beeson, also states that the course’s main focus will be on, “Several primary commitments at the heart of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s teaching and church leadership: interpreting the Sermon on the Mount as the way of Christian discipleship; preaching the gospel to a church that has become complacent and indifferent toward God’s gift and command of grace in Jesus Christ and the necessity of cultivating the life of discipleship for the church to be faithful in the 21st century.”
Dr. Ken Mathews and Dr. Grant Taylor will co-teach on the biblical lessons of creation in their class, “God the Creator and Redeemer in Genesis and John’s Gospel.” Dr. Mathews, professor of Divinity at Beeson, explains that this course, “combines the Old Testament and New Testament perspectives on Creation theology, providing students a ‘whole Bible’ teaching on this fundamental doctrine that supports the message of the entire Scripture for readers yesterday and today.” Dr. Mathews and Dr. Taylor will alternate teaching class sessions. This course begins on February 27 on six Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. Dr. Mathews says, “The purpose of the course is to encourage us in a greater love and appreciation for the Creator, his creation, and salvation plan for re-creating the universe through the only begotten Son of God.”
“The English Reformation” taught by Dr. Gerald Bray, “The Holy Trinity” instructed by Dr. Carl Beckwith, and “The Gospel of Mark” led by Dr. Sydney Park are just a few of the other classes being offered at the Lay Academy during this spring semester. To learn more about the offered courses, as well as several lectureships, visit www.beesondivinity.com/layacademy. Participants who register early will receive a special discounted rate.
- Melissa Armstrong
