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Will the True Jesus Stand Up?
March 4, 2015 @ 6:45 pm - 7:30 pm
Wednesday Evening Lenten Series
Speaker: Dr. Frank E. Eakin, Jr.
Professor of Religion at The University of Richmond
February 25, March 4, March 18, and March 25
6:45 p.m.—7:30 p.m. following the Lenten Parish Suppers
Professor Frank E. Eakin, Jr., Professor of Religion at the University of Richmond and chair of St. Mary’s Adult Ministries Committee, will present a Wednesday Evening Lecture and discussion series during Lent. The series, which is entitled “Will the True Jesus Stand Up?” will examine the biblical and theological roots of the Church’s view of the nature and meaning ot the life of Jesus. Over the four sessions we will begin with the orthodox statement, i.e., the Nicene Creed, and then we will discuss some of the differing perspectives for understanding Jesus as found in the New Testament. The sessions will be divided as follows:
February 25: The Nicene Creed and Jesus. After setting some presuppositions for our study together, we will focus on how and why the Nicene Creed was formulated, some of the issues both precipitating the formulation of the Creed, and some theological issues associated with the Creed’s formulation.
March 4: The Contributions of Paul. How does Paul understand the Christ and what does he tell us about Jesus. We will discuss some of the Pauline passages (as Galatians 4:4) as well as a confessional passage Paul borrowed (Philippians 2:1-11) but apparently embraced.
March 11: No session.
March 18: The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and their perceptions of Jesus of Nazareth. How do their views of Jesus correspond to diverse messianic views among the Jews? We will refer to numerous passages but read few in larger context.
March 25: The Book of Revelation and the Gospel of John and their unique views of Jesus. We will discuss the nature of the Book of Revelation and its militant Christ. In addition we will focus on the special Christology of the Fourth Gospel, which understanding equates Jesus clearly with God. We will focus on the Prologue to the Fourth Gospel (1:1-18), the unique “I am” passages in John, as well as the use of “Signs” in the Fourth Gospel. The study of John will naturally lead us back to the Nicene Creed.
Dr. Eakins has held the Weinstein and Rosenthal Jewish and Christian Studies Chair since 1988. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond, a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. degree from Duke University. Professor Eakin’s research interests are in Old Testament history and thought; American Judaism; and the Jewish-Christian relationship and the impact of religion on cultural expression. He and his wife Frances are active members of our parish. Both serve on the Adult Ministries Committee.