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CEUs available Contact us for details. |
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Washington, DC
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The Social World of Early Christianity
Joanna Dewey & Bernard Brandon Scott
LECTURE
From Jesus to Constantine: From Disunity to Unity
The myth of Christian origins maintains that early Christianity was a unity, a loving community. But far back into the mists of emerging Christianity, what we see is conflict and controversy. In this lecture we will examine the plurality and diversity in early Christian belief, why Christianity grew, why it succeeded and how Constantine imposed unity on the believers. (Bernard Brandon Scott)
Friday, 7:30–9 P.M.
WORKSHOPS
Social World of the Roman Empire and its Christian Communities
We will examine the social/economic structure of the Roman Empire and the place(s) of women and slaves within it. We will survey the various roles women played in early Christian communities. The session will include a performance of "Women on the Way," a rendition of the Gospel of Mark, as Artemisia, an imaginary late first century woman, might have told it. We will also look at the roles of slaves in early churches. Finally we will explore the forces that resulted in the increasing subordination of women and slaves in some Christian communities. (Joanna Dewey)
Saturday, 9:30 A.M.–Noon
Imperial Images in Stone and Song
The dominant power in the ancient world was Rome and its Emperor. This dominance was not just military and political, but also ideological. Rome set the terms of debate. The recognition of this imperial influence is important in understanding the emergence of the Christian movement. We will examine imperial images to understand the meaning of the Roman Empire and then explore the early Christian hymn embedded in Paul's letter to the Philippians for its imperial imagery. Finally we will turn our attention to how Constantine turned the church into an empire. (Bernard Brandon Scott)
Implications for Contemporary Christianity
What does the active role of women and slaves in early Christianity tell us about the possible configurations contemporary Christianity might take? How might we begin to learn from the diversity of the past? From its strengths and its weaknesses? How might we respond to today's "empire?" (Joanna Dewey and Bernard Brandon Scott)
Saturday, 1:30–4 P.M.
FACULTY
Joanna Dewey (Ph.D., Graduate Theological Union) is the Harvey H. Guthrie, Jr. Professor Emerita of Biblical Studies at Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the author of several books, including Mark as Story (with David Rhoads, 1999).
Bernard Brandon Scott (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) is the Darbeth Distinguished Professor of New Testament at the Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, OK. He is the author of several books, including The Trouble with Resurrection (2010) and Re-Imagine the World (2002).
ALL EVENTS AT
Parish Hall
St. Mark's Episcopal Church Capitol Hill
Corner of 3rd and A Streets SE
Washington, DC 20003
All Sessions
$ U.S.
Pre-registration (by Feb 24)
$60
Registration (after Feb 24)
$75
Additional Family Member
$50
Single Sessions
Friday Evening Lecture
$20
Saturday Morning Workshop
$30
Saturday Afternoon Workshop
$30
Register by mail using the printable registration form.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Westar Institute
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
503-375-5323, 877-523-3545 tollfree, 503-375-5324 fax
events@westarinstitute.orgor
Raiford Gaffney
(202) 543-8930
rgaffneydc@gmail.com
St. Marks
(202) 543-0053, x 306
stmarks.net