It continues to be a difficult year for many on both personal and public levels. We have passed the stage when it appeared that life might return to “normal” soon. With a pandemic still raging, with political unrest, with a burgeoning awareness of our shortcomings as human beings, how do we hold on to or retrieve hope?

 

 

 

Jesus’ story of the laborers in the vineyard is a familiar parable ending with the memorable line, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” In this parable the idea of justice is upended and this idea of the kingdom is frankly a bit uncomfortable. Join us as we explore the concept of justice in its many forms and consider the application of this parable’s lesson to the living of these days.

 

 

 

One of the central events in Old Testament history is the “exile” – the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians nearly 600 years before the birth of Jesus. But Biblical history didn’t stop! And Prophets didn’t stop speaking to the remains of the people. However, what a challenge! How to speak to a devastated people? How to offer some kind of hope, and guidance, for the future? What kind of hope did they offer?

 

In this series, we will take a look at, arguably, the “last Prophets” of the Old Testament: Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. It’s too bad that these texts are rarely read, because in these short Prophetic books (and ESPECIALLY Zechariah!) some VERY interesting things are going on, even though you could read ALL THREE in less than an hour!

 

Facing tragedy…but moving on…central themes in “The Last Prophets”! Keep your eyes (and ears) open for a comparison with the MOTOWN and SOUL SOUNDS of the 1960s in the first episode!!

 

In preparation for the class on Sunday, October 25 you may want to click on the link below for a introduction to the course. Please note the play button on the bottom left side of the site.
https://echo360.org/media/0acbdcd9-5336-4828-971a-4b01615dd991/public

 

 

If you missed the Sunday, October 18 class or if you want to re-watch Dr. Smith-Christopher’s lecture, click here:
***Please don’t save or copy this material due to copyright reasons.***

 

Looking forward to seeing all of you friends and members of BPC for this interesting new SCL series on the “last prophets”