Every year, the NU class organizes and sponsors a winter weekend seminar on a topic of religious/theological significance. A guest speaker is invited to lead the discussion with sessions usually held on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The seminar is free and open to the public.
NU Class 50th Anniversary
Theology Weekend, September 11 and 12, 2021
Saturday, September 11
A DAY WITH A THEOLOGIAN
John Dominic Crossan, Bible scholar and author
How Can We Christians Choose to Follow Jesus, The Prince of Peace, in a Chaotic World?
The theme for Crossan’s remarks was Divine Violence in the Christian Bible. The morning lecture, from the Old Testament, was on Sanction Theology or Sabbath Theology. The afternoon lecture, from the New Testament, was on Peace through Victory or Peace through Justice.
There are two competing visions within the Christian Bible of the Jewish God of Creation, developed side by side from Genesis to Revelation: violent or nonviolent. Jesus chose one model to follow. The basis for the theme and lectures was Crossan’s book, How to Read the Bible and Still be a Christian. It is readily available from numerous sources and in new and used versions.
John Dominic Crossan, an Irish-American former Catholic priest and retired university professor, is an acclaimed Bible scholar and author. He is a major New Testament researcher, and historian of early Christianity and of culture of the Ancient Mediterranean and New Testament worlds. He is a past president of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Sunday, September 12
NU Class Discussion and Review of Saturday Lectures
John Richard
Teacher of the “The Historical Jesus Class” at First Church for 25 years
Thanks to his long term close relationship with Dom Crossan, and his background knowledge of Historical Jesus, John was uniquely qualified to lead a NU Class discussion and review of the Saturday talks in down to earth interpretations and explanations that gave further meaning and clarification to some of the theology that was presented the day before.
Click below for information on past Theology Weekends
2018 Theology Weekend, Sep 21-23
Dr Larry Webb – How to Live Authentically & Find Your Purpose
2017 Theology Weekend, Mar 11-12
Dr. Claudia May, Ph.D., Scholar and Practitioner, Theology and Reconciliation
2016 Theology Weekend Jan 15-17
The Rev. Dr. Daniel M. Bell, Jr., Professor of Theology and Ethics
“Jesus, the Justice of God, and the Mission of the Church”