Afro-Centric Bible Study

Wesley Foundation@Lincoln University-


This Biblical Studies is designed to bring university students and members of local congregations, and other interested persons together weekly to respond to the critical challenges facing the Black faith and community from an Afro-Centric perspective. During the study secession, they will be reminded of the value of the Christian education and the necessity of their own spiritual formation and growth, they are taught about Christian education from an African American perspective, and they are reminded of the church's role in the community and in society at large. Bible study leaders will be selected for each period and will lead an two hour long Bible study. The general format for each session will include: Opening devotion; topic overview; presentation of key concept; group discussion (exercise); question/answers; and new assignments. Content experts will be brought in occasionally to speak on specific topics.


Courses
September 18, 2003-Black Theology. Provides the foundation for black theology, exploring the black/African religious experience, and combining the black religious experience with the affirmations of the Christian Creed.
September 25, 2003-AFRICAN PRESENCE IN THE BIBLE. This course answers questions that help African-American Christians view the Bible through an Africentric lens.

October 2, 2003-Theologies of Liberation. Critical examination of black, African, Latin American, and feminist theologies of liberation, interpreting models of action and reflection as the Christian faith confronts racism, classism, and sexism.

October 9, 2003-AFRICENTRIC CHRISTIANITY. Is it possible to be culturally Africentric and a devout Christian at the same time? This course will provides theological assessment of Africentrism and its relationship to Christianity.

October 23, 2003-UNASHAMEDLY BLACK & UNAPOLOGETICALLY CHRISTIAN.-This course examines our doctrines as a local church, and the United Church of Christ as our denomination and its African-American witness.

October 30, 2003-THE MYTH & MEANING OF MALCOLM X. This class analyzes a selective group of writings by and about Malcolm X.


November 6, 2003-GOD’S WORD AND MY SALVATION. This class discusses topics such as salvation, sin, the trinity, along with answers to the frequently asked questions about speaking in tongues, conservatism, women preachers and many more.

November 13, 2003-WHAT MAKES YOU SO STRONG. This class is multifaceted. We learn about the patriarch of ancient Israel, the poets and prophets of the exile, a barren woman and a favored queen, a capricious judge and three devout young prisoners of war. This class reveals a candid snapshot of God.

November 20, 2003-SPACE FOR GOD - This course teaches students the practice of prayer, spirituality, meditation and the importance of journaling daily meditations.

Martin Luther King Day Symposium-2004
January 20, 2004-The Theology of Martin Luther King, Jr. Treats King as a theologian, evaluating his understanding of Christian doctrines and examining his contribution to theological ethics.
January 20, 2004-A Christian Spirituality of Restorative Justice. In this course we will investigate a Christian spirituality of justice in which God’s aim for creation is not destruction—rather, it is restoration. Students will take seriously the meaning of Christian spirituality in this endeavour as themes of prayer and spiritual disciplines make sense of how God uses persons for restoration.
January 20, 2004-Foundations of Emancipatory Theology. Exploration of some of the factors which contribute to the Christian understanding of freedom, and the theological imperatives which inform the quest for human emancipation. Special focus will be placed on the biblical, historical, and contextual foundations of the theological discourse, with major emphasis on the Black experience.
For further information contact:

Reverend Alan L. Joplin, Director
Wesley Foundation@Lincoln University
805 Atchison Court
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101-3527

Phone: 573.636.9680
573-257-1802/cell

Email: wesleylu@socket.com