|
Although it has historically served clergy, Christian educators, and other
church leaders, the Seminary’s Center of Continuing Education
has decided
to branch out and offer adult noncredit education courses to people with
no formal theological education. David Wall, program coordinator for the center, says the new courses for
laity are a result of many requests for classes “from people not employed
by the church but who are interested in learning more about their faith.”
The first course, “Understanding the New Testament,” was held in October
on four consecutive Thursdays and led by C. Clifton Black, the Seminary’s
Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology. It was designed for adults
interested in serious study of the Bible, and offered a basic introduction
to the New Testament: its history, literature, and theological points of
view. A mix of participants of different ages, denominations, religious
traditions, professional talents, and ethnic and national backgrounds made
the series lively for Black. He says while his position as instructor was
primarily to convey information, he also felt that it was “to nurture a
friendly environment in which we all could raise questions, ponder
Scripture, and worship God through our study.” Two courses will be
offered in spring 2003: “‘I Am Who I Will Be’: Images of God in the Old
Testament” taught by Michael Davis, a member of the Seminary’s staff who
writes in the field of Old Testament, and “Understanding Your Community of Faith” taught by Peter Bridge of
Samaritan Counseling Center in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. The laity series is cosponsored with the Lay Academy of the
Presbytery of New Brunswick. For more information about upcoming courses, contact the
Center of Continuing Education at 609-497-7990. |
