Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost explores the dynamic, often-overlooked third person of the Trinity.
Preview: The Spirit in Scripture and Early Christianity
Week 1: Historical Developments and Theological Tensions
Week 2: Feminist and Global Perspectives on the Spirit
Week 3: Living in the Spirit Today
What You'll Learn
"Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology.
Moving beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, we'll explore feminist interpretations, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to understanding the Spirit in today's world. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth.
Recommended Reading: The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Holy Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost by Grace Ji-Sun Kim
What Is Included?
Live Engagement: Four live-streamed classes with Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Tripp Fuller, including Q&A opportunities.
Community Connection: Join an online network of like-minded learners, exchanging ideas and building relationships across shared interests.
Flexible Learning: Access course materials and recordings at your convenience.
Live Sessions, Replays, & Cost
FOUR LIVE SESSIONS:
Tuesdays (May 20th - June 10th) at 10am PT / 1pm ET
ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS: You can participate fully without being present at any specific time. Replays are available on the Class Resource Page.
COST: A course like this is typically offered for $250 or more. Your contributions are what make our classes possible. We invite you to contribute whatever amount you feel led to give (including $0).
INTRODUCTION: The Spirit in Scripture and Early Christianity
Livestream: Tues., May 20th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Theme: Foundations of Spirit Theology
Explore biblical foundations of Spirit theology through the Hebrew concept of ruach (breath/wind) and examine how the early church understood the Spirit's role in creation, redemption, and community formation.
- The Hebrew concept of ruach (breath, wind, spirit) in the Old Testament
- Creation vibrates: The Spirit's role in creation (Genesis 1-2)
- The Spirit in the life of Israel: Exodus, wilderness, prophets
- Key biblical images: breath, wind, fire, water
- Jesus and the Spirit: baptism, ministry, resurrection
- Pentecost as the birth of the church
- Paul's understanding of the Spirit
- Early church pneumatology and the shift to Christocentrism
Recommended Reading:
- Chapter 1: "Creation Vibrates"
- Chapter 2: "Jesus Dug the Spirit"
WEEK 1: Historical Developments and Theological Tensions
Livestream: Tues., May 27th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
How the Church Has Understood the Spirit
Trace how Spirit theology evolved through church history, from early Trinitarian controversies to medieval mysticism and Reformation debates, revealing both limitations and insights from our theological heritage.
- The early church and Trinitarian controversies
- The filioque controversy: "and from the Son"
- How Christology overshadowed pneumatology
- Medieval mystics and their experience of the Spirit
- The Reformers' approach to the Spirit
- Spirit tied to Word (scripture) vs. Spirit as free agent
- Denominational differences in Spirit theology
- The renewal of interest in pneumatology in the 20th century
Recommended Reading:
- Chapter 3: "How the Early Church got hung up on Christ and forgot about the Spirit"
- Chapter 4: "Some medieval mystics got jiggy with the Spirit, but then the Reformers put duct tape over her mouth"
WEEK 2: Feminist and Global Perspectives on the Spirit
Livestream: Tues., June 3rd (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Expanding Our Vision of the Spirit
Expand your vision through feminist pneumatology and global perspectives, including Asian understandings of Chi, African communal spirituality, and liberation theologies that center the Spirit's role in justice-making.
- Feminist pneumatology: The Spirit as feminine
- Elizabeth Johnson's concept of Spirit-Sophia
- The shekinah as divine presence
- The Spirit as liberator and empowerer of the marginalized
- Global perspectives on the Spirit
- Asian concept of Chi and its relationship to the Spirit
- African and Latin American pneumatologies
- Spirit as the force that releases han (unjust suffering)
Recommended Reading:
- Chapter 5: "Twentieth Century Feminists Rescue the Spirit!"
- Chapter 8: "And here's something else to consider: The Spirit as Chi"
WEEK 3: Living in the Spirit Today
Livestream: Tues., June 10th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Practical Pneumatology for Contemporary Life
Discover practical ways to cultivate Spirit awareness in daily life, explore ecological dimensions of pneumatology, and develop personal practices for discerning the Spirit's movement in our contemporary context.
- The Spirit in contemporary theology
- Ecological pneumatology: Spirit in all creation
- The Spirit as the force for justice and liberation
- Spirit as the source of healing and reconciliation
- Practical ways to cultivate Spirit awareness
- Communal discernment and listening for the Spirit
- Spirit-led ethics and social engagement
- Surrendering to the Spirit: letting go of control
Recommended Reading:
- Chapter 6: "A modern theology of the work of the Spirit"
Meet Our Hosts
Grace Ji-Sun Kim
Earlham School of Religion
Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Ph.D. University of St. Michael’s College) was born in Korea, educated in Canada and now teaches in the USA as Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion. She is the author or editor of 24 books, most recently, When God Became White, Surviving God, Invisible, and Spirit Life. Her new forthcoming book, Earthbound will be coming out in the Fall 2025. Kim is the host of Madang podcast which is sponsored by the Christian Century. She blogs on her substack: Loving Life and has written for Huffington Post, The Nation, Sojourners, Baptist News Global, Faith and Leadership and TIME. Kim has appeared on MSNBC, PBS and C-Span. She has been a guest on BBC Radio, ABC Soul Search Radio, WBEZ Radio, and Keep Hope Alive Radio.
She is a book series Co-Editor for Palgrave Macmillan Series, “Asian Christianity in the Diaspora,” and has served on the American Academy of Religion’s Board of Directors. Kim is honored to be included in the Englewood Review of Book’s list of “Ten Important Women Theologians That You Should Be Reading” and Sojourners included Kim as one of “8 Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2023.” Englewood Review of Books included her latest book, When God Became White, in their list of “15 Important Theology Books of 2024”.
She is an ordained PC(USA) minister and enjoys being a guest preacher on most Sundays.
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. Replays will be available on the Class Resource Page.
LIVE SESSIONS: Tuesdays (May 20th - June 10th) at 10am PT / 1pm ET
How do I get access to the class content?
The complete class content collection will be available on the password protected 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 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]homebrewedchristianity[dot]com.