Join Dr. John Dominic Crossan for an Online Lenten Class starting in March!
A Five-Week Online Lenten Class
Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World." This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.
Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil.
Watch the Livestream Preview
5 Visual Lectures
Each pre-recorded video lecture will feature Dr. Crossan and powerful visual teaching from his many visits across the Holy Land.
5 Livestream QnAs
Each livestream session will feature a QnA with Dr. Crossan and Dr. Tripp Fuller.
Online Group
Everyone will be invited to join the private Facebook group to connect with other participants and access all lectures and livetream replays on the Class Resource Page.
ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS: You can participate fully without being present at any specific time. Lectures and livestream replays are available on the Class Resource Page.'
CHURCH GROUPS: You are welcome to use this class for your Sunday School class or small group! More details available below in our FAQs.
COST: A course like this is typically offered for $250 or more, but we invite you to contribute whatever you can to help make this possible for everyone!
The Premise
By the year 60 CE, two distinct early versions of the Gospel had emerged. One, known as the Q-Gospel, focused entirely on the teachings and vision of Jesus—his message of justice, compassion, and the Kingdom of God—and did not mention his death or resurrection.
The other, rooted in the writings of Paul, emphasized Jesus’ death and resurrection as the Christ while largely overlooking his life and teachings. This course explores the striking contrast between these perspectives and delves into Paul’s unique understanding of Jesus’ mission.
As a Pharisee, Paul interpreted Jesus’ execution and resurrection through the lens of his Jewish faith, offering a vision that continues to shape Christianity today.
Five Visual Lectures & QnAs
Watch the pre-recorded video lecture, and join Dr. John Dominic Crossan and Dr. Tripp Fuller for the livestream question and answer session each week!
WEEK 01
Paul & Thecla: The Visionary Response of Thecla
Livestream QnA: Thursday, March 13th (11am PT / 2pm ET)
Objective: Explore the story of Thecla as a visionary response to Paul’s teachings. We will be focused on...
- The relationship between Paul and Thecla.
- The impact of gender and agency in early Christian communities.
- Thecla’s visionary role in embodying and expanding Paul’s Life-Vision.
WEEK 02
Paul & Luke: The Fictional History of Luke-Acts
Livestream QnA: Thursday, March 20th (11am PT / 2pm ET)
Objective: Analyze the narrative intent behind Luke-Acts in crafting a “fictional history” of Paul. We will be focused on...
- Historical context of Luke-Acts.
- Contrasts between Paul’s letters and Luke’s portrayal.
- How Luke-Acts shaped Paul’s legacy.
WEEK 03
Paul & Rome: The Violent Normalcy of Civilization
Livestream QnA: Thursday, March 27th (11am PT / 2pm ET)
Objective: Examine Paul’s engagement with the Roman Empire and its implications for understanding civilization’s “violent normalcy.” We will be focused on...
- Paul’s Roman citizenship and its complexities.
- Early Christian resistance to empire.
- The cultural and theological ramifications of Paul’s writings.
WEEK 04
Paul & Josephus: The Challenge of Nonviolent Resistance
Livestream QnA: Thursday, April 3rd (11am PT / 2pm ET)
Objective: Compare Paul’s teachings with Josephus’ writings on nonviolence and resistance. We will be focused on...
- Josephus’ historical narratives and their parallels to Paul.
- Theological reflections on nonviolent resistance.
- The challenge of aligning Paul’s vision with practical action.
WEEK 05
Paul & Christ: The Mystery of Execution-and-Resurrection
Livestream QnA: Thursday, April 10th (11am PT / 2pm ET)
Objective: Delve into Paul’s understanding of the Execution-and-Resurrection as the central mystery of faith. We will be focused on...
- Paul’s theological emphasis on the Messiah.
- How Paul interpreted Jesus’ execution and resurrection.
- The significance of this mystery for early Christians and contemporary faith practices.
Meet Our Hosts
Dr. John Dominic Crossan
John Dominic Crossan is an Irish-American biblical scholar with two-year post-doctoral diplomas in exegesis from Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute and in archeology from Jerusalem’s École Biblique. He has been a mendicant friar and a catholic priest, a Co-Chair of the Jesus Seminar, and a President of the Society of Biblical Literature. His focus, whether scholarly or popular, whether in books, videos, or lectures, is on the historical Jesus as the norm and criterion for the entire Christian Bible. His reconstructed Jesus incarnates nonviolent resistance to the Romanization of his Jewish homeland and the Herodian commercialization of his Galilean lake as present program and future hope of a transformed world and transfigured earth. Crossan’s method is to situate biblical texts within the reconstructed matrix of their own their own genre and purpose, their own time and place, and to hear them accurately for then before accepting or rejecting them for now.
Dr. Tripp Fuller
Luther Theological Seminary
Homebrewed Christianity
Theology Class
Tripp recently moved back to North Carolina and started as Visiting Professor of Theology at Luther Theological Seminary after three years as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Theology & Science at the University of Edinburgh. He recently released Divine Self-Investment: a Constructive Open and Relational Christology, the first book in the Studies in Open and Relational Theology series. For over 15 years Tripp has been doing the Homebrewed Christianity podcast (think on-demand internet radio) where he interviews different scholars about their work so you can get nerdy in traffic, on the treadmill, or doing the dishes. Last year it had over 4 million downloads. It also inspired a book series with Fortress Press called the Homebrewed Christianity Guides to... topics like God, Jesus, Spirit, Church History, etc. Tripp is a very committed and (some of his friends think overly) engaged Lakers fan and takes Star Wars and Lord of the Rings very seriously.
What People Are Saying
"As a minister these classes and conversations have enriched how I read and engage with our sacred texts, as well as for the community I help shepherd. As an individual person of faith I'm always amazed at the resources and friends Tripp helps curate and connect with on a deeper and authentic level."
Will Rose - Parish Pastor, Holy Trinity Lutheran and Lutheran Campus Ministry (Chapel Hill, NC)
“Grad-school level classes with incredible teachers in a fun, accessible and engaging online experience for even an exhausted working pastor/parent to participate in and enjoy!”
Rachel Haxtema - Associate Pastor, Keystone UCC (Seattle, WA)
“I’ve taken several Homebrewed classes over the years, from a couple of Black theology classes, to Kierkegaard to Bonhoeffer, to Tolkien and many others I’ve heard episodes from. From the episodes and the readings I’ve learned things I wouldn’t have otherwise had access to, from some of my favorite scholars or about some of my favorite topics. From some of the readings I’ve bought books I wouldn’t have otherwise read, and further deepened what I was able to think with. It’s been a treasure to be part of them.”
Jonathan Stegall - faith-rooted organizer, abolitionist, designer, and coder
“Homebrewed Christianity is, in my opinion, the best open and interactive community I’ve ever been apart of. I’ve learned so much from people who are not only brilliant but kind and fun."
Ednaldo Elme - the drummer who doesn’t tell his minister what he’s really thinking
“HBC classes have been an absolute lifeline for allowing me to have continuing education outside of the adult Sunday School setting. Many people have limited exposure to the entire spectrum of Christianity as well as other world religions in the church setting, and these classes are a wonderful resource in that regard. Also, as someone who is getting a theology degree, the HBC classes have provided a super helpful avenue for learning."
John Pohl, MD - Pediatric Surgeon (University of Utah)
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the class meet?
The class is asynchronous and you can participate fully without being present at any specific time. You can watch the pre-recorded lectures, livestream QnAs, and replays will be available on the Class Resource Page.
LIVESTREAM QnA SESSIONS:
Thursdays, March 13th - April 10th (11am PT / 2pm ET) - available to watch via the Class Resource Page and YouTube.
How do I get access to the class content?
The complete class content collection will be available on the password protected Class Resource Page. The downloadable audio and video of each session will be uploaded there and available for at least a year.
What happens after I sign up?
The email you enter when signing up will receive an email from classinfo[at]homebrewedchristianty[dot]com. The email will include access to the Class Resource Page, details on how to join the class Facebook group, and more.
Do I have to have Facebook?
No. Facebook is not required to participate, but an additional way to connect with other class members and interact throughout the class.
How can we use this with our church group?
We would love for you to use this online class for your Sunday School class or small group! If people will be watching the lectures (approximately 50 minutes) and livestreams (approximately 70 minutes) on their own, we encourage every person to sign up and receive access to the Class Resource Page and Facebook group. Each person is welcome to make a donation on their own, or the church can designate one person to make a donation on behalf of the group. If the church is making the donation, feel free to make a donation in the amount of whatever you have budgeted for a curriculum of this quality. If you have further questions, please email classinfo[at]homebrewedchristianty[dot]com.