Making Space in Our Lives for the Coming of God
During the season of Advent, the month leading up to Christmas, the church has long invited us to pray for the coming of God.
These prayers help us anticipate the celebration of Christ’s coming, but that is not all. The deep wisdom of this season is an invitation to make space in our lives for the birth of God.
The Christmas story is unique in that it looks at a particular family deeply embedded in their own time and place, and yet its significance has always had a cosmic horizon.
Course Overview
In this popup learning community, we will explore the complexity of the Christmas story and the vision of the Cosmic Christ today. Since the early Church’s cosmic vision, we have come to know much more about the world scientifically...as well as our place in it.
In our exploration together, we will begin with the sciences and how modern cosmology can enhance our vision. Next, we will wrestle with the history of Israel, Jesus, and how Christians’ confession of Jesus as the Christ took a cosmic register. Finally, in light of a contemporary rendering of this ancient story, we will turn to how it can shape one’s spiritual life and practice and empower the body of Christ to address our global challenges today.
- LECTURE #1: The Cosmic Story - Join Dr. Philip Clayton for an exploration of contemporary scientific cosmology and how it shapes our vision of God’s place in our evolving cosmos.
- LECTURE #2: The Coming of Christ - Join Dr. Tripp Fuller for a deep dive into the biblical narrative of Christ and his coming.
- LECTURE #3: The Becoming of God - Join Dr. Diana Butler Bass to experience an invitation to practice the coming God in one’s own life.
- LECTURE #4: A Groaning Creation and the Birth Pains of God - Join Philip, Tripp, and Diana for a guide to joining God while facing our global challenges.
- TWO LIVE QnA SESSIONS - Submit your questions and have them answers! If you miss the live QnA, you can always watch the replay.
- ONLINE COMMUNITY - Engage with other course participants in a private, online community where you'll be able to share your reflections, insights, and questions.
- BONUS CONTENT - Weekly contemplative reflections and a spiritual practice, an audio meditation, and weekly video discussion on the reflections.
Live Sessions, Replays, & Cost
LIVE PREVIEW OF THE COURSE:
Monday, November 27th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
LIVE SESSIONS:
Monday, December 4th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Thursday, December 7th (10am PT / 1pm ET) - QnA on Opening Session
Monday, December 11th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Monday, December 18th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
QNA AFTER CHRISTMAS:
To be announced
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 $125 or more, but we invite you to contribute whatever you can to help make this possible for everyone!
What You'll Walk Away With
By the end of the course, you will have...
- A Deeper Cosmic Perspective: Gain a profound understanding of how modern scientific cosmology intertwines with the age-old Christmas story, offering you a fresh outlook on our place in the evolving cosmos.
- Insight into the Biblical Narrative: Uncover the layers of significance within the Biblical story of Christ's coming, enhancing your understanding of its historical and cosmic relevance.
- Tools for Personal Spiritual Enrichment: Explore practical ways to invite the essence of the Christmas narrative into your own life, transforming your spiritual journey and practices.
- Empowerment to Address Global Challenges: Equip yourself with a renewed perspective on how the ancient story can guide our response to modern global challenges, inspiring action and a sense of purpose in creating positive change.
- Integrated Understanding Across Disciplines: Experience a comprehensive exploration merging science, history, spirituality, and contemporary issues, providing a holistic understanding of the cosmic Christ narrative and its implications for our world today.
- Transformative Insights for the Season: Prepare to approach the Advent season and Christmas with a profound, enlightened perspective, intertwining ancient wisdom with modern understanding for a deeper appreciation of the season's true significance.
Who Should Enroll?
- Seekers of Deeper Meaning: Individuals curious about the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern understanding, eager to explore the cosmic significance of the Christmas narrative.
- Spiritual Explorers: Those looking to enrich their spiritual journey by integrating the timeless Christmas story into their personal practices and beliefs.
- Inquisitive Minds: Individuals fascinated by the integration of science, history, and spirituality, and how these disciplines intertwine within the context of the cosmic Christ narrative.
- Global Change-Makers: Advocates and individuals passionate about addressing global challenges, seeking inspiration and guidance rooted in ancient wisdom to contribute positively to our world.
- Open-Minded Learners: Anyone willing to engage in diverse perspectives and a multi-faceted exploration of the Christmas story, beyond its traditional interpretations.
- Advent Enthusiasts: Those excited to approach the Advent season and Christmas with a new lens, ready to unravel the deeper cosmic significance of this time-honored story.
Meet the Hosts
Dr. Tripp Fuller
Luther Theological Seminary
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.
Dr. Philip Clayton
Claremont School of Theology
As a scholar, Philip Clayton works at the intersection of philosophy, theology, and science. Although he continues to work on fundamental questions that arise within each of these fields and at their intersections, his more recent focus has turned increasingly to the intersection of climate science, ethics, religion, and social philosophy, or ecotheology. Clayton holds the Ingraham Chair at Claremont School of Theology, where he directs the PhD program in comparative theologies and philosophies. He has published two dozen books and some 350 articles. He is also President of the Institute for Ecological Civilization, which works internationally to support multi-sector innovations toward a sustainable society through collaborations between governments, businesses, policy experts, and NGOs. Philip enjoys cycling, refereeing competitive soccer, and wilderness camping with family and dog.
Dr. Diana Butler Bass
Public Scholar of Religion
Dr. Bass is an award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality. She is the author of ten books, including her most recent, Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way and Presence. Diana’s passion is sharing great ideas to change lives and the world – a passion that ranges from informing the public about spiritual trends, challenging conventional narratives about religious practice, entering the fray of social media with spiritual wisdom and smart theology, and writing books to help readers see themselves, their place in history, and God differently. You can connect with her on Twitter or by subscribing to her popular newsletter The Cottage.
Bonus Content - Weekly Contemplative Reflections with Mike Morrell
Each week, you'll also receive...
- Written reflection from mystics Meister Eckhart, John of Ruysbroec, Hildegard of Bingen and Howard Thurman as well as an audio meditation.
- Spiritual experiment prompts we can immerse ourselvs in to sense and cherish what we might otherwise push away.
- Weekly spiritual video session with Tripp Fuller and Mike Morrell where we briefly discuss the reflection and facilitate a short practice.
Mike Morrell is an award-winning, best-selling author, collaborator on The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation with Fr. Richard Rohr, founder of Wisdom Camp, and a founding organizer of the justice, arts, and spirituality Wild Goose Festival. Mike curates contemplative community experiences via Relational Skills, taking joy in holding space for the extraordinary transformation that can take place at the intersection of anticipation, imagination, and radical acceptance. Readers and writers can check out Speakeasy, Mike's network of off-the-beaten-path spirituality books - and those who love talking about them. Mike lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina. You can read his ongoing exploration of Spirit, Culture, and Permaculture at MikeMorrell.org.
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)
FAQs
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.
The live sessions include...
LIVE PREVIEW OF THE COURSE: Monday, November 27th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
LIVE SESSIONS:
Monday, December 4th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Thursday, December 7th (10am PT / 1pm ET) - QnA on Opening Session
Monday, December 11th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Monday, December 18th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
QNA AFTER CHRISTMAS:
To be announced
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]homebrewedchristianity[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.
Who is producing this course?
Homebrewed Christianity is producing "The Cosmic Christ" as a four-lecture online course with two live QnA sessions. To subscribe to the podcast, click here.