REGISTER NOW for the online class starting August 2024!
Are you ready to unravel the enigmas of the divine? Or perhaps, just revel in the glorious complexity that is the God of the Bible?
Join Dr. Rolf Jacobson and Dr. Tripp Fuller for an online class that's sarcastically (or is it?) titled, "The God of the Bible: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery." Because if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that the nature, character, and vision of the God of the Bible are anything but simple!
Join Rolf and Tripp for a five-week online learning community!
Dr. Rolf Jacobson
Luther Seminary
Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry
Dr. Tripp Fuller
Luther Seminary
Homebrewed Christianity
Theology Class
Don't Miss the Livestream for Week #1
on Tuesday, August 13th - 10am PT / 1pm ET!
What to Expect in the Class
This class will take you on an unforgettable journey through the Biblical narrative, from Creation to Consummation. Our mission? To present the nature, character, and vision of the God of the Bible. Our method? Overcoming the hesitations of (post)modern, critical scholarship to highlight the aesthetic power of the divine as revealed in scripture.
4 Mini-Lectures from Rolf and Tripp
- Creation & Sin
- Covenant & the Chosen People
- Christ & Salvation
- Consummation & the Spirit
5 Livestreamed Sessions with Rolf & Tripp
- Watch and engage in livestream sessions where Dr. Rolf Jacobson and Dr. Tripp Fuller expound upon that week's mini-lecture and class reading while answering your questions.
- Livestream Schedule: Tuesdays (10am PT / 1pm ET) - August 13th, 20th, 27th, September 3rd with replays available.
- Class Readings: Old and New Testament passages as well as The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Old Testament: Israel's In-Your-Face, Holy God and The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to Jesus: Lord, Liar, Lunatic . . . Or Awesome?
Question and Answer Time
- Interact directly with Rolf and Tripp during dedicated Q&A sessions.
- Receive personalized responses to your questions, fostering a deeper understanding and connection with the course material.
Online Community
- Join a supportive and vibrant online community, connecting with fellow participants who share similar experiences and questions.
- Foster meaningful relationships, share insights, and grow together in a space that values diverse perspectives.
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 $150 or more, but we invite you to contribute whatever you can to help make this possible for everyone!
Our Primary Themes
Prepare yourself for a whirlwind tour divided into four riveting sections...
Week 1: Creation & Sin
Livestream: Tuesday, August 13th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Why start with the mundane when you can dive straight into the origin of everything? Dive into the delightful and complementary insights of the Genesis creation accounts, where two–plus creation stories merge into a supernova, big-bang view of God’s spectacular creation and humanity’s stupendous fall from grace, which sets the stage for millennia of moral and existential confusion. Expect a dive into deeper questions than, "Did God really need a day off after all that work?" and "Why blame a talking snake for everything?"
Week 2: Covenant & the Chosen People
Livestream: Tuesday, August 20th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Next, we'll tackle the baffling idea of a covenant with the Chosen People. Why would God choose one tribe and people? What makes them so special? Spoiler alert: It's a rollercoaster of faith, betrayal, and redemption. Maybe it’s not about them, but rather God’s mission to love, save, and bless all creation. From Abraham's dubious decision-making to the baffling laws of Leviticus, witness how divine promises and human disobedience dance together in a storied cycle of bewildered blessing. Why does being chosen by God often feel more like a divine prank than a blessing?
Week 3: Christ and Salvation
Livestream: Tuesday, August 27th (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Brace yourself for the most audacious plot twist in history: God becomes human, lives among us, dies cross-dead, and offers salvation. We'll explore the perplexities of the incarnation, the multiplicity of Gospel stories, and what Jesus reveals about the one he called Abba. You want more? Well, we will even discuss God’s presence in suffering, maybe the communicatio ideomatum, and (just maybe) definitively solve the messianic secret.
Week 4: Consummation and the Spirit
Livestream: Tuesday, September 3rd (10am PT / 1pm ET)
Finally, we venture into the realms of the Holy Spirit and the hope of history. Will we ever understand the mystery of the Trinity? What’s with the dramatic finale of Revelation? Have you ever developed a pneumatological epistemology and worldview? Now’s your chance. Expect nothing less than a spirited discussion (pun intended) on visions of apocalypse, resurrection, and eternal glory. Find out how the ultimate resolution of the Biblical narrative manages to leave us with more questions than answers.
By the End of the Course...
By the end of this course, you may not have all the answers—let’s be honest, you probably won't have any. But you will have a deeper appreciation for the rich, aesthetic tapestry of the God revealed in the Biblical narrative. Whether you're a devout believer or a curious skeptic, we guarantee that you'll leave this course with a profound appreciation for the divine mysteries—and perhaps a few more questions than you started with.
So, if you're ready to embark on a theological adventure filled with ambiguity, paradox, and a touch of divine humor, join-up today! Prepare to be more confused than ever—but in a really profound and satisfying way.
Our Presenters
Our presenters bring a unique perspective and wealth of experience to the table, ensuring a dynamic and enriching learning experience for everyone.
Dr. Tripp Fuller
Luther Theological Seminary, Homebrewed Christianity, and 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.
Dr. Rolf Jacobson
Luther Theological Seminary
Rolf Jacobson is Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry, joined the Luther Seminary. Known for his humor and faithful biblical interpretation, Jacobson is an in-demand preacher and teacher.
With Craig Koester, he developed and supports the Narrative Lectionary. He enjoys collaborating with other teachers and pastors. His collaborative projects include The Book of Psalms (NICOT; with Beth Tanner and Nancy deClaissé-Walford), Invitation to the Psalms (with Karl Jacobson), Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms (with five fellow Luther Seminary graduates), and Crazy Book: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Biblical Terms(with Hans Wiersma and Karl Jacobon). He is also the author of The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Old Testament: Israel’s In-Your-Face, Holy God. His scholarly interests include the Psalms, prophets, biblical theology, biblical narrative, and preaching the Old Testament.
His voice can be heard on the weekly podcast, “The Narrative Lectionary,” as well as singing the high lonesome with a Lutheran bluegrass band, “The Fleshpots of Egypt.”
A survivor childhood cancer, he is a double, above-the-knee amputee, who generally wears a bicycle and a smile. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his beloved wife Amy, their children Ingrid and Gunnar, and a cat who thinks he is a dog. He is a loyal friend, lifelong sufferer of Minnesota sports, and committed board-game geek.
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 Tinity Lutheran and Lutheran Campus Ministry (Chapel Hill, NC)
“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
“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)
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 (10am PT / 1pm ET) - August 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and September 3rd with replays available.
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.
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 30 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.
Who is producing this course?
©2024 Homebrewed Christianity. All rights reserved.