Description
The most common Protestant critique of Orthodox theology is that it is unbiblical. While many responses to the Protestant critique focus on establishing the authority of tradition for interpreting Scripture, this class seeks to complement this argument by demonstrating the truth of Orthodox teaching from the text of Scripture itself. Across five sessions, students will learn to appreciate the central theme of both Testaments as the indwelling of God in creation and see the intimate bond this Scriptural theme has with the Patristic teaching of theosis or divinization. Students will then learn what Scripture teaches about the major points of contention which exist between Orthodoxy and Protestant theology: the doctrine of justification and salvation, the nature of the Church, and the veneration of Mary and the Saints.
Instructor
Seraphim Hamilton is an Orthodox author and Biblical commentator whose work focuses on the intersection between Scripture and Orthodox theology. He has a Master of Arts in Early Christian Studies from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Theology from Duke University.
Course Modules
Module I: The Center of Biblical Theology and the Heart of Orthodox Teaching
Module II: How Are We Saved: Protestant and Orthodox Theology at the Bar of Scripture
Module III: What is the Church: Authority, Hierarchy, Scripture, and Tradition
Module IV: In Spirit and Truth: Christian Worship and Images
Module V: Mary and the Saints: Worship, Veneration, Intercession
Course Details
Dates/Times: November 8th, 6pm PST
Length of course: 5 weeks
Class length: 60 Minutes of Lecture, 60 Minutes of Discussion
Prerequisite: Open to all people, no prerequisites