Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Forgotten Scriptures, and Why They Matter - Nick Zola

We all know the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, etc. But who are the people who “were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection” (Heb 11:35)? Come learn about the martyrs of 2 Maccabees 6-7 and other “forgotten scriptures” that inspired early Christians to persevere in their faith.

Teacher:
Nick Zola

”Love was His Meaning”: The Theology of Julian of Norwich for Today - Candace Nicolds

In the fourteenth century, the woman known as Julian of Norwich received a series of sixteen visions which she recorded in the book, Revelations of Divine Love. Twenty years after this mystical experience, Julian wrote an expanded version of her revelations that included her meditations on the visions in the years after they occurred. In this class, we will take a brief look at Julian's theology based on her writings and consider whether it has any relevance for today.

Teacher:
Candace Nicolds

Don’t Hit Snooze: 4 Stories to Wake Up Your Students’ Faith - Joel Foster

Crafting a robust biblical youth ministry can often leave our students feeling like the stories we share are detached, useless, or not all that relevant to their current lives. In this class, we will explore 4 themes from stories in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures that can reorient our students to a deeper and more beautiful faith that draws them to better love God, love others, and love themselves.

Teacher:
Joel Foster

Love Requires Words: Sharing Faith in 21st Century America (Part 1) - Neil Reynolds

This class includes a hybrid of teaching and panel discussion exploring the virtue of sharing Christ with our neighbors.

Teacher:
Neil Reynolds

Panelists:
Bruce Bates, Graham Clifford, Bri Clifford, Scott Lambert, and Doug Peters

Spiritual Life: More Than a Brain on a Stick - Katelyn Brackney

We are often told our bodies are a problem to solve or a hindrance to overcome, but there is another story. A better story. This story is one in which humans are invited to embrace our whole selves—including our minds, hearts, souls, and bodies—as created good and in God’s own image. Together, we will look at the Bible and theology to embrace a more holistic and embodied spiritual life shaped by the story of God from Genesis through the life of Christ.

Teacher:
Katelyn Brackney

The Quality of Mercy: Six Stories of Ordinary Saints, Extraordinary Mercy, and the Search for a Theology of Beauty (Part 1) - Leonard Allen, Darryl Tippens

You will recognize the characters in these six stories; you will smile, laugh, and feel some of the grief along the way. And you will get glimpses into the varied texture of our lives—the unexpected people who bless us, the desert experiences, the need for forgiveness, the gifts along the way, the surprises of grace.

Teachers:
Leonard Allen, Darryl Tippens

Alone and Amused to Death - Shane Hughes

Two cultural currents in America are colliding: an epidemic of loneliness and highly refined, psychologically attuned algorithms designed to keep our attention through dopamine manipulation for hours. The solution may come from an unexpected place- the willful intent to become bored. Join us as we explore boredom as the means of freedom from the tyranny of slavery to screens.

Teacher:
Shane Hughes

Reimagining Church and Church Leadership for a New Era - Jason Locke

In this one-hour class, Jason Locke will help participants imagine new ways of doing church in our changing world. While most churches clearly need traditional forms of gathering for worship, along with traditional forms of administration and pastoral leadership, how can churches actually make Christianity relevant to people who will never walk in the doors of a church building? How might we create new forms of Christian community and lead innovative teams to reach non-church-goers with the good news of Jesus? This session will look at concrete ideas for how to break out of existing frameworks.

Teacher:
Jason Locke

Practicing Theological Attentiveness in Preaching (Part 1) - Sara Barton, Ahmi Lee

How do you preach sermons that are authentic, biblical, and culturally sensitive? Drawing from Lee’s book, Preaching God’s Grand Drama, this session explores practices of attentiveness that ground sermons in biblical theology, local context, and global realities.

Teachers:
Sara Barton, Ahmi Lee

Restoring Restoration: The Compelling Vision of Churches of Christ - Don McLaughlin

Religion should come with a warning: promise and peril lie ahead! Some of the most beautiful stories in global history emerge from deep religious traditions. We also know the past and current horror of weaponized faith. The genius and passion of any movement remain vulnerable as faith is passed from one generation to the next, and Churches of Christ are no exception. In this session we will explore the promise, peril, genius, and passion of the American Restoration Movement and the Churches of Christ.

Teacher:
Don McLaughlin

Running in a Dry Place: Lessons from Hebrews for Racing in the Desert (Part 1) - Jeff Walling

How do you keep running when you are dry, parched and tired? There are lessons in the desert we will never learn while running in the park. Come take a lap with Israel to find hope among miracles, mistakes and mourning.

Teacher:
Jeff Walling

Lessons Learned as a Physician-Servant - Terry "Hutch" Hutchison

Learning to evaluate others and yourself objectively is necessary as a physician and also as an elder. Putting others before yourself needs some boundaries, but it is the basis for compassion. A position of authority requires lots of study, but with the understanding that one can never attain perfection. We depend on God, but this cannot excuse a lack of diligence. We must be open and honest about our opinions and what they are based on. God is immanent and active in this world but expects us, his servants, to minister to each other and to our neighbors. In so doing we bring God’s answer to prayers, and his salvation, to the world.

Teacher:
Terry "Hutch" Hutchison

The Deepest Place (Part 1) - Luke Norsworthy, Curt Thompson, MD

Psychiatrist and award-winning author Curt Thompson, along with Luke Norsworthy, will discuss God's transforming work of taking our grief into a lasting peace that surpasses all understanding. Suffering is a defining reality of life. Yet so many of us are so focused on avoiding discomfort that we've never learned how to actually suffer. But what if we could move from anxiety to durable hope? This is a two-part series.

Teachers:
Luke Norsworthy, Curt Thompson, MD

What Is Truth? (John 18:37-39) - Donny Pierre

Some people believe truth is relative, others believe truth to be absolute, why? Who or what can we trust to know the truth today? Can we trust science, politics, academia, media, the bible or the Church? Once we believe we know the truth, how does that influence how we act or not?

Teacher:
Donny Pierre

Overcoming Toxic Leadership and Healing the Wounds Left Behind - Gregg Marutzky

James 3:13-18 describes leadership from above and leadership from below. True leadership is from above and toxic leadership is from below. Toxic leadership thrives in the toxic triangle of unaccountable environments, authoritarian leaders, and susceptible followers. Gregg proposes a tutelary triangle of accountable contexts, inclusive leaders, and courageous followers to combat toxicity in organizations. As a minister and therapist, Gregg offers research regarding healing wounds from leadership. This presentation will offer insights to leading in the 21st century in our churches in the midst of rapid change and increasing challenges.

Teacher:
Gregg Marutzky

Liminal Faith: When the Story Feels Unfinished - Lori Ann Wood

Is it possible to increase your faith when life isn’t turning out the way you’d imagined and prayed for? The truth is, Scripture shows us that our lives are part of God’s much bigger story, and may not feel complete or resolved in our lifetime. Lori Ann Wood is a lifelong Christian, a heart failure survivor, and multi-award-winning author of Divine Detour: The Path You’d Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You’ve Always Wanted. She’ll explore the challenge of maintaining—and even growing—faith in the middle of a difficult narrative. If you’re traveling a detour you never saw coming or living a story you didn’t want (or if you love someone who is), her experience and insight will leave you with renewed hope and practical steps forward.

Teacher:
Lori Ann Wood

Your Church Needs a Renewal Team! - Judy and Woody Square

What could you accomplish at your congregation with a team made up of representatives of every age group, gender, ethnicity, and walk of life? Part focus group, part think tank, part advisory board, the Renewal Team at the San Leandro Church of Christ has been helping the congregation navigate change and challenge over the past 5 years. Learn the value of listening to the Holy Spirit speak through diverse voices in your congregation and trusting them to help lead your church into the future.

Teachers:
Judy and Woody Square

The Intentionality of the Church: Rethinking God’s Purpose and Our Role - Danny Quintero

In this session we will be talking about the intentionality of the church (mostly as an institution). Should we meet exclusively to say a prayer, sing, take communion, give an offering, listen to a sermon, and go home? Do we know what our communities need? A midweek Bible study? Is that enough? Do we need to do something else or different? Let us analyze some ideas, ask ourselves questions, and reevaluate if our practices are what God expects of us, as well as what the world needs.

Teacher:
Danny Quintero

Panelishts:
Joel Foster, Lucas Hutchinson

The Gospel According to Being a Loser - Klint Pleasant

As both a college basketball coach and theologian, Klint has had to balance a passion for "winning" with his identity as a Jesus follower. In a world in which the loudest voice and most passionate person tends to win the day, Jesus gives insight related to the formula for real winning; and it has very little to do with numbers and money. Let's take a fresh look and perspective related to the way of Jesus when it comes to "winning and losing." A class for anyone who has struggled and wrestled with the meaning of "success" within a Christian framework. Pleasant: a coach, student of the Enneagram, trauma survivor, and author/speaker shares insights related to the true pursuit of success according to Jesus.

Teacher:
Klint Pleasant

From Crossroads to Frontiers: Navigating Faith in a Post-Christian Landscape - Mike Shepherd

Embark on a compelling journey with Mike Shepherd, a dual-citizen with a unique perspective on faith in diverse cultural narratives. This class invites those ready to explore the depths of belief in a post Christian landscape, seeking to harmonize ancient scriptural truths with the pulse of today's society, much like the exemplars of faith in the Hebrews Hall of Faith. In a world that often seems divided, how can we hold fast to our beliefs with compassion and love, becoming beacons of light rather than critics of culture? Mike's insights, born from a life lived at the intersection of Australian and American spiritual climates, offer a rich tapestry of understanding to his audience. In this engaging class, we will: Cultivate a nuanced understanding of spirituality that stands resilient amidst secular currents while radiating compassion and kindness. Foster a faith that is both vibrant and reflective, capable of engaging with the post-Christian landscape with authenticity, grace, and a heart for service. Join us for a session that promises not just to inform but to transform as we seek to navigate the frontiers of faith with intelligence, heart, and the spirit of Christ's love and adventure.

Teacher:
Mike Shepherd

RelateForward: Equipping Families for Generations of Faith - Kelly Haer and Dee Dee Mayer

Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family. Faith in Jesus Christ is where an abundant life begins. And yet in this post-truth era, parents who yearn to see their children follow Jesus are struggling to pass their faith to the next generation. As the Barna Group’s research makes clear, “Christianity today has less influence on Gen Z than on any previous generation.” The Boone Center’s upcoming new program, RelateForward, will empower families and ministry leaders to meet the challenge of transferring faith to young people and help bring about God’s commitment to advance the Gospel to the next generation. Join us for an insightful discussion about how to empower families to transfer faith to children.

Teachers:
Kelly Haer and Dee Dee Mayer

You Might Not Love What You Think: Reading Cultural Liturgies - James K.A. Smith

Spiritual formation is less about fueling the intellect and more about rehabituating our loves. Our loves are caught more than they are taught. Our hearts are apprenticed by practices that function as pedagogies of desire. But this is also how our loves are mal-formed and disoriented—trained to desire security, comfort, and domination rather than the shalom of God’s kingdom. This session will train us to recognize the “cultural liturgies” in which we swim.

Teacher:
James K.A. Smith

Preaching for Transformation - Wade Hodges

The writers of Scripture seem to prioritize transformation over conveying information. What do sermons look and sound like when preachers do the same?

Teacher:
Wade Hodges

Coreology: Six Principles to Help Us Navigate an Election Season (Part 1) - Josh Ross

This is not a conversation about issues. This is about the core of who we are as believers in Jesus. As Christians (and local churches) we must do better in how we live out our faith in the political climate we find ourselves in. Our witness is on the line. The best way to remain rooted throughout election years is to commit to principles that ground us in the heart of Christ.

Teacher:
Josh Ross

“By Faith”: A Space of Spiritual Practice from Hebrews - Cynthia Michaud Ownby

Join us as we sit in the text of Hebrews 11 and make space to hear from God what it means for us, individually and communally, to also live by faith. Our time of prayer will be followed by discussion.

Teacher:
Cynthia Michaud Ownby