August 2021 Course Descriptions

Christian Spirituality
This course will introduce you to the basic Christian themes of spirituality and discipleship of the pre-Reformation western church, primarily through the lens of the major movements of evangelization and reform that were utilized to proclaim and spread the Good News. This course will explore the approaches to prayer, service to the vulnerable, and a life in community, that were taught in these varying – and still - living traditions, all of which has an impact on the spirituality of the 21st century and can be utilized in your personal prayer life and in your ministry.
Required Texts           
  • Luke. The Acts of the Apostles, Chapters 1 – 8. New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
  • Painter, Christine Valters. Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings. Skylight Illuminations.
  • Chittister, Joan. The Rule of Benedict: A spirituality for the 21st Century. Spirituality Legacy Series.
  • Joyce, Timothy. Celtic Christianity: A Sacred Tradition, A Vision of Hope. Orbis Books.
  • Thomas, Bret. A Knight and a Lady: A Journey into the Spirituality of Saints Francis and Clare. Pax Publishing.
  • Swan, Laura. The Wisdom of the Beguines: The Forgotten Story of a Medieval Woman’s Movement.  Blue Bridge.
Your Instructor
  •  Brother James Dowd, OSB is a Benedictine monk and Prior of Incarnation Monastery and The Benedictine Way in Omaha, NE. Before serving in Nebraska, he served at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY and at Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery in Grahamstown, South Africa. Brother James is passionate about exploring the intersection of the quest for Christian social justice and the contemplative life. Before his years in monastic life, Brother James had a career in theater and television.

Christian Theology II
Christian Theology II provides a biblical, historical, and systematic overview of the following Christian concepts: Christ and Salvation, the Holy Spirit, Church and Sacraments, and Eschatology. The goal of this course is to provide diaconal candidates (as well as lay persons interested in personal enrichment) with a theological foundation for effective ministry in the world today.
Required Texts
  • McGrath, Alister. Theology: The Basics, 4th ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2018.
  • McGrath, Alister. Theology: The Basic Readings, 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell, 2018.
Your Instructor
  • Dr. Wilburn (Bill) T. Stancil is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Religious Studies at Rockhurst University, Kansas City. From 1980 to 2020, he taught theology at four different universities and theological seminaries. Dr. Stancil is a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Church and a frequent speaker in churches of many denominations in the Kansas City area.

Homiletics for Lay Preachers
This course provides students an overview of basic homiletical principles as these pertain to the ministry of lay preaching. Students will offer practice sermons.
Reading List     
  • Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, third edition. Westminster John Knox Press. 2016.
Your Instructor
  • The Rev. Dr. Bill Fasel is a recently retired Episcopal priest. He currently serves part time as the Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Development in the Diocese of West Missouri. Fasel holds a D.Min. in Congregational Development from Seabury-Western.

Old Testament 2
This course is a close examination of the Pentateuch/Torah and the historical books of the Hebrew Bible (which, for our purposes, will include Gen, Exod, Lev, Num, Deut, Josh, Judg, 1 and 2 Sam, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chr). The course will focus on the historical settings, literary artistry, and major themes of these books and is meant to equip participants with the tools necessary to read biblical texts critically and to appreciate their complexity. To these ends we will read the biblical text primarily from the perspectives of its ancient authors and readers.
Required Texts
  • New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (a study Bible will prove most useful, e.g., The HarperCollins Study Bible or The New Oxford Annotated Bible)
  • Dozeman, Thomas B. The Pentateuch: Introducing the Torah. Introducing Israel's Scriptures series. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2017
  • Levenson, Jon D.  Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible. San Francisco: HarperCollins. 1987.
Recommended Texts
  •  Coogan, Michael D. The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. 
  • Adele Berlin, Marc Zvi Brettler, Michael Fishbone, eds., The Jewish Study Bible: Featuring the Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Your Instructor
  • Dr. Melissa Tubbs-Loya has a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Boston College and a masters in the subject from Yale Divinity School. Her current research interests focus on prophetic warnings of decreation. She lives in Chanhassan, Minnesota.
BKSM welcomes you to take courses with us for personal enrichment or continuing education. Classes are richer with occasional students around the table.  We encourage you to experience this remarkable, uplifting community of learning, worship and fellowship for yourself!

August Overview
  • Classes begin on Monday, July 12.  You will receive an email and syllabus directly from your instructor. If you have  not received anything from your instructor by Tuesday, please contact us.
  • The in-person Focus Weekend meets  August 14-15, on Saturday from 7:30 am-9:00 pm and on Sunday from 7:30am-12:15pm.
  • The detailed weekend schedule is here.
  • Classes end on Friday, September 10.
  • Grades due on September 30.

  • Tuition is $100 to audit, $210 for credit, which includes your overnight stay at Upton Hall & all meals.
  • Zoom options available for students taking class for personal enrichment and for certificate-track students with special permission .
  • Apply for the $100 Jim Upton lay scholarship.

  • If you prefer a nearby hotel, the  Senate Luxury Suites (walking distance), Capitol Plaza, and the Cyrus are options. Many other hotels are available throughout Topeka.
Register Now for August Courses