Friday Afternoon Courses

The annual Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning offers a wide range of theological mini-courses for laypersons, community leaders and clergy. Somewhere between seminary and Sunday School, Summit leverages the rich learning community of Perkins School of Theology to provide a unique, self-paced experience in theological education—for the church and world. Come for a half-day or spend the whole two days with us. Participants are free to design a customized Summit plan!

Houston Summit August 23-24, 2024

Click HERE to Register!

To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds: American Presidents and Political Theology

Dr. Dallas J. Gingles, Assistant Dean of Hybrid Education, Associate Professor of Practice in Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics

 

United States Presidents often develop and deploy theological concepts in their speeches. This course treats such presidential speeches as primary texts of political theology. It seeks to understand the vision of God and the good life that is presupposed and constructed in the speech.

 

This course will equip students to:

 

1. Understand the breadth of theological arguments offered by Presidents.

2. Critically evaluate the theological content of those arguments.

3. Constructively challenge their understanding of the relationship between Christian theology and American democracy.

Alyce McKenzie

Holy Humor: Restoring Joy to the Life of Faith!

Rev. Dr. Alyce M. McKenzie, Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship

 

When adverse events overwhelm us, when we take life and ourselves with deadly seriousness, it’s time to recover the humor and joy at the heart of God,  available in everyday life. This workshop, based on Dr. McKenzie’s recently co-authored book Humor Us! Preaching and the Power of the Comic Spirit, will unlock the power of humor to brighten difficult days, create community, refresh relationships, and strengthen our spiritual stamina. Join us for this humorous, hope-filled workshop on a much-needed topic!

Please note that online registration will close August 9, 2024. Refunds (less $25 fee) will be available up to 7 days prior to the event.