Mel Rosenbaum will lead a discussion, including both listening and interpretation, of the origins of this powerful, yet often overlooked genre of truly native American choral music. He will concentrate primarily on the works of William Billings and also touch on the "Sacred Harp" tradition of singing.
Steve Wentland will lead a discussion of C.S. Lewis' "The Problem of Pain." C.S. Lewis' attempts to reconcile the massive amount of pain and suffering (much of which we consider unjust) with an all-powerful, loving God. The last class will consider examples of how Lewis' explanation works out in practice.
Simultaneously changing and staying the same, fourth century and 16th century doctrines can be applied in the 21st century, remaining faithful to the core of Luther's and Melanchthon's reforming principles and being relevant in a modern world. Facilitator: Jim Shields
Pr. Liebster will conduct this adult forum class using the Godly Play lesson for Lent (February 29-April 4). Each Sunday tells the story of Jesus in light of his passion using the Godly Play curriculum. Each session will include a presentation of the story and a faith conversation.
Professor John Boles will present "Religion in the American South", a series devoted to tracing aspects of the Protestant evangelical tradition as it developed in the US South and helped shaped the people and their history.
First Lecture: The Origins of the Southern Evangelical Mind. How and why evangelicalism arose in the South and came to dominate the region.
Second Lecture: Slave Christianity. How and why African-American slaves accepted Christianity and the nature of the biracial religious culture of the Old South.
Third Lecture: Religion and the Civil War. The role of religion in causing the war, supporting combat morale, fomenting Confederate nationalism, and explaining eventual defeat.
John Boles is the William P. Hobby Professor of History at Rice and has published four books on different aspects of these topics.