Historical Jesus 15: Crucifixion

One of the most significant events in all of human history, Jesus’ crucifixion was at once a supreme miscarriage of justice while, at the same time, the supreme illustration of God’s love to humanity.  We’ll join Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane, agonizing in prayer before his God, to his arrest, trials, and ultimately his torture and crucifixion.

Course notes are available here.

Is scientific knowledge superior to all other forms of knowledge?  How should Christians balance faith and reason?  Join Rose Rider, Daniel Fitzsimmons, and Sean Finnegan as they discuss science and religion in an effort to describe and deconstruct the naive notion that science has all the answers.

Read a detailed article on Scientism here.

Historical Jesus 14: Last Supper

Why did Judas betray Jesus?  What did Jesus teach his closest friends and followers at the last supper?  Learn about the first “Lord’s Supper” or communion as well as what was on Jesus’ mind in his last hours before his arrest.  He taught them how to carry on after he was physically gone and showed them how to serve one another by washing their feet.  This tender dinner is the calm before the storm.

Course notes are available here.

Historical Jesus 13: Olivet Discourse

Did Jesus predict the destruction of the Temple in a.d. 70?  Did he predict the end of the world?  Learn about Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and discover what he said about false Christs, persecution, the abomination of desolation, and the coming of the son of man.

Course notes are available here.

Is the world getting better and better over time or worse and worse?  Listen in to Rose Rider, Daniel Fitzsimmons, and Sean Finnegan as they discuss how our culture thinks about progress in order to help you understand the hidden forces at work.  After discussing and deconstructing the idea of progress, they offer a helpful and balanced Christian perspective.

Read a detailed article on Progress here.

Historical Jesus 12: Intensified Conflict

Once Jesus came into Jerusalem, his enemies threw “stumper questions” at him in an effort to discredit him before the populace.  Jesus ably diffused these theological bombs and lobbed his own in return.  He told parables about the religious leaders that infuriated them while delighting the crowds.  Coupled with his earlier acts, Jesus’ public defiance was sure to land him in serious trouble.

Course notes are available here.

Join Sean Finnegan, Dan Fitzsimmons, and Rose Rider for some interesting cultural analysis.  We begin by looking at how the ethic of tolerance works in our culture before deconstructing it and providing a Christian point of view.  Though many times tolerance can be a force for good, sometimes people use it as a stick to beat others who hold a minority opinion.  Furthermore, tolerance is shallow whereas the kind of love Jesus calls us to is deep.  Tolerance often complies with the status quo but love gives of itself in risky and exciting ways.  Tune in to here our full conversation.

Read a detailed article on Tolerance here.

Historical Jesus 11: Entering Jerusalem

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, it was not quietly, but triumphantly, riding a donkey while the crowds shout, “Hosanna!”  This moment brings to and end his “messianic secret” and publicly declares to everyone that he was claiming to be the Jewish Messiah.  His action in the temple further underlined this claim.  The Sadducees took note and resolved to deal with him.

Course notes are available here.

Daniel Fitzsimmons and I probe the culture by discussing one of the most influential hidden philosophies of life in our culture today–hyper-individualism.  In a nut shell, hyper-individualism is a two step process:

This mindset has benefits and detriments for society, but in the end it fails to work as a philosophy of life.  After analyzing this cultural narrative, we offer a Christian perspective that can competently replace hyper-individualism.

Read a detailed article on Hyper-Individualism here.

Historical Jesus 10: Conflict

From his birth to his untimely death, conflict dominated Jesus’ life.  During his ministry the Pharisees disagreed with Jesus about the Sabbath, purity, divorce, and his style of ministry.  Jesus called them out on pride, greed, and hypocrisy.  Looking at how Jesus handled conflict serves as an example to those of us today who seek to follow him.

Course notes are available here.