February 2022 Course Descriptions
Christian History 2
This course explores Christian history from the later Middle Ages to the late 20th century. Highlights include the wisdom of medieval theology, the Protestant and Catholic reformations, European Christianity encountering new continents and cultures, shock waves of the Enlightenment, and the great age of missionary activity. 
Required Texts         
  • Mullin, Robert Bruce. A Short World History of Christianity. Revised Edition. Louisville: Westminister John Knox Press, 2014, pages 111-299.
    AND 
  • Noll, Mark A. Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012, pages 121-237, 261-305 (omit ch. 11).
Your Instructor
  • The Rev. Dr. George Wiley taught religion at Baker University for 35 years and has been serving the Diocese of Kansas as canon pastor since 2014. He holds a Ph.D. in historical theology from Emory University. As a teacher, he is known for engaging with students and creating an inviting classroom atmosphere.

Diakonia I
This course is intended for those on the path toward ordination to the diaconate in order to help you to develop an understanding of the diaconate in the Church in general, and the Episcopal Church in articular.  Specifically, this course examines the history, evolution and theology of the diaconate from the time of the first-century church to the present. The class also emphasizes the roles of the deacon in the Sacraments of the Church, especially the deacon’s role in the Eucharist, as well as the call of the deacon to ministry in the world, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.
Required Texts         
  • Plater, Ormonde. Many Servants: an Introduction to Deacons, Rev. Ed. Cambridge: Cowley, 2004.
  • Plater, Ormonde. Deacons in the Liturgy, 2nd Ed. New York: Church Publishing, 2009.
  • Watson-Epting. Unexpected Consequences: The Diaconate Renewed. New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2015.
Your Instructor
  • The Venerable Betsy Bennett taught philosophy at Hastings College for sixteen years, and has been an Episcopal deacon since 2004. She currently serves as Archdeacon for the Diocese of Nebraska. The focus of her diaconal ministry is religious environmental work, which includes writing the Green Sprouts blog. A 2008 GreenFaith Fellow, she has been active in several religious environmental organizations as well as the Association for Episcopal Deacons and Spiritual Directors International. Her M.A. in philosophy is from The Ohio State University.


Forms of Christian Ethics (P)
Throughout Christian history, Christian ethics has come in many forms, rooted in different historical circumstances, cultural milieus, and theological traditions.  With the goal of appreciating and applying this diversity, this course will explore the “Christian stance” in ethics through two lenses: a philosophical lens that considers ethics in terms of goals, duties, and virtues; and a specifically Christian lens that considers ethics in Robin Lovin’s terms of synergy, integrity, realism, and liberation.

With these two categorical lenses, the class will consider the perspectives of several different thinkers within the history of Christian ethics, including Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Wesley, William Temple, Karl Barth, Reinhold Niebuhr, H. Richard Niebuhr, Stanley Hauerwas, and James Gustafson. The ultimate goal is for these various thinkers and the various forms that Christian ethics can take to become tools which can be used in our 21st century context.
Required Texts             
  • De La Torre, Miguel A. Decolonizing Christianity: Becoming Badass Believers. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2021.
  • Douglas, Kelly Brown, Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2015.
  • Eiesland, Nancy L. The Disabled God: Toward a Liberatory Theology of Disability. Nashville: Abingdon Press: 1994.
  • Long, D. Stephen. Christian Ethics: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.
  •  Other resources provided by the instructor.
Your Instructor
  • Dr. Tyler Atkinson is the Johan E. Seelen Distinguished Professor of Religion at Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS. Dr. Atkinson holds an M.Div. from the Divinity School, Duke University and a Ph.D. in theological ethics from the University of Aberdeen. In 2015, he published Singing at the Winepress: Ecclesiastes and the Ethics of Work (Bloomsbury T&T Clark). More recently, he has published a book chapter on the rapper, 2Pac and the theology of Paul Tillich (in The Body and Ultimate Concern: Reflections on an Embodied Theology of Paul Tillich, ed. Adam Pryor and Devan Stahl); and he is currently working on a book-length, interfaith engagement with Hip Hop music. He lives in Lindsborg, KS with his wife and two children. (Christian Theology)


Social Ministry I
This course will explore the Biblical, theological, and historical foundations of social ministry in an Episcopal/Anglican context. Participants will also gain a basic understanding of  contemporary issues related to poverty in our communities such as, but not limited to, hunger, education, senior citizens, housing, mental health, refugee resettlement, and other issues which  push persons to the margins of society.
Required Texts         
  •  Christian Social Witness. Harold T. Lewis, 2001.
  • Students will also be invited to read another text on issues related to poverty in the United States and lead a discussion in class about the particular text.  A list of potential books for this project will be included with the syllabus.
Your Instructor
  • The Very Rev. Charles A. (Chas) Marks is Rector of St. Augustine's Church in Kansas City, MO.  Fr. Chas is the Dean of the Northwest-Metro Deanery of the Diocese of West Missouri. He is a graduate of Wichita State University, Saint Meinrad School of Theology, and The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry.  Prior to his ordination to the priesthood in 2015, Fr. Chas worked in social services in Kansas City, MO and Memphis, TN.  He spent 10 years managing programs that assist homeless and runaway youth in the Kansas City metropolitan area and also served on the Advisory Board of the National Safe Place Network.  Fr. Chas has presented at several national conferences on issues around homeless youth and advocacy.  He is a certified facilitator of Called to Transformation: An Asset-Based Approach to Engaging Church & Community.
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!

February Overview
  • Classes begin on Monday, January  10.  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  February 12-13 , 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, March 11.
  • Grades due March 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 for February Courses