Lay Academy of Theology

The Lay Academy of Theology offers non-credit evening classes and other study opportunities led by Beeson faculty for interested laity as well as ministers desiring continuing education.

Evening Courses

Twelve Decisive Events in The Bible

All of Scripture clearly shows us that God has been working throughout history to bring His people back into relationship with Him – a bond broken not by God but by man in the garden so long ago. Join Dr. Kenneth Mathews in this survey of twelve pivotal actions in God’s unfolding plan of salvation that “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6, ESV).

Kenneth A. Mathews (B.A., Dallas Baptist University; Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary; M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan) teaches at Beeson Divinity School in the areas of Hebrew and Old Testament.

Schedule

Six Monday nights - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., beginning on February 26, 2018.

Cost

$89.00 If registered prior to February 19 or $115.00 thereafter.

The Jewish Jesus

What does it mean that Jesus was a Jew? Did he come to put an end to Judaism and start a new religion? Did he do away with the Law? Is the Church the New Israel? Does the return of Jews to the land of Israel have anything to do with biblical prophecy? Dr. Gerald McDermott has studied this subject extensively and will guide us as we explore these and other questions about the relation between Jesus and Israel in this class. Lectures will follow the narrative of Dr. McDermott’s book, Israel Matters.

Gerald McDermott (B.A., University of Chicago; B.S., North Dakota State University; M.R.E., Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary; Ph.D., University of Iowa) joined the Beeson Divinity school faculty in 2015 as the Anglican Professor of Divinity, and teaches in the areas of history and doctrine.

Schedule

Six Tuesday nights - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., beginning on February 27, 2018.

Cost

$89.00 If registered prior to February 20 or $115.00 thereafter.

Gospel in the Books of Moses

Paul says that the Law was a "schoolmaster" or "tutor" to lead us to Christ. Under the leadership of Dr. Allen Ross, this class will study the most important passages in the Pentateuch that do this, looking first at the good news the Law brought to ancient Israel, and then secondly how it all found its full expression in the revelation of Christ. Primary attention will be given to texts about the sanctuary and the sacrifices, the priesthood and the prophets, and holy days and great festivals.

Allen P. Ross (B.A., Bob Jones University; Th.M., Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary; Ph.D., University of Cambridge) teaches at Beeson Divinity School faculty in the areas of Old Testament and Hebrew.

Schedule

Six Thursday nights - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., beginning on March 1, 2018.

Cost

$89.00 If registered prior to February 22 or $115.00 thereafter.

Weekday Seminars

The Pastoral Epistles

Written to give guidance to ministers and their congregations, the Pastoral Epistles remain central to our understanding of what the church is and how it should function. Most of the controversies of our own time are prefigured in them, and they offer us the same guidance that they provided in New Testament times. Dr. Gerald Bray returns to take us through 1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy and Titus over six weeks, highlighting what they have to teach us as we seek to follow Christ today.

Gerald Bray (B.A., McGill University; M.Litt., D.Litt., University de Paris – Sorbonne) is Director of Research with The Latimer Trust in London. He also serves as Research Professor at Beeson Divinity School and teaches in the areas of Church History, Historical Theology, and Latin.

Schedule

Six Wednesday afternoons - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., beginning on January 24, 2018.

Cost

$89.00 If registered prior to January 17 or $115.00 thereafter.

Followers of the Lamb: Living in Rhythm with The Book of Revelation

In the Spirit, John builds conviction, inspires worship and encourages patient endurance. The apostle John was sent to Patmos as a political prisoner. But this veteran ambassador of the gospel, who refused to bow before Caesar, could not be silenced. From his place of banishment, St. John proclaimed the gospel to the world, not just to first century Asia Minor but to twenty-one centuries of church history; to every tribe, language, people and nation. This "revelation of Jesus Christ" is a prison epistle like no other. The Apostle John is in the business of preparation, not prediction; discernment, not deciphering. Most of us are unaccustomed to the medium that John used to communicate “the testimony of Jesus Christ.” We come to the Book of Revelation expecting to read a manual, a how to book on the end times, or a futuristic epic, with never-before revealed truths, but instead we are led into a vast array of sounds and images drawn from the God’s Salvation History. Join Dr. Doug Webster as he helps us understand that meaning is not found at the end of an equation, but in the churning pulsating rhythm of God's salvation history.

Douglas D. Webster (B.A., M.A., Wheaton College; Ph.D., University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology) serves Beeson as professor of pastoral theology and preaching and teaches classes in both of these disciplines.

Schedule

Six Thursday afternoons - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., beginning on March 1, 2018.

Cost

$89.00 If registered prior to February 22 or $115.00 thereafter.

Registration Options

There are three ways to register:

Register Online (with Visa or Master Card)
Register by Mail (with check)
Call (205) 726-2338 or (800) 888-8266 ext. 2338