October 2021 classes - Bishop Kemper School for Ministry

October 2021 Course Descriptions

Adult Catechesis and Formation
The primary focus of the class is on the ancient and modern catechumenate, especially in terms of preparation for baptism and confirmation. The course will also look at other formation issues for adults, particularly vocational discernment and spiritual direction.
Required Texts

Bass, Diana Butler. Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. HarperOne, 2012.
Everist, Norma Cook. The Church as Learning Community: A Comprehensive Guide to Christian Education. Abigdon Press, 2002.
Fowler, James W. Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian: Adult Development and Christian Faith. Jossey-Bass, 2000.
Westerhoff, John H. III. Will Our Children Have Faith? Wipf & Stock, 1999.
Recommended but not required:
Tickle, Phyllis. The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why. Baker Books, 2008.

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.

Anglican History
This course provides students an introduction to Anglican thought in historical context from the Reformation of the sixteenth century to the present. Students will meet the great minds of the English Church and consider their continuing relevance today.
Required Texts

J. R. H. Moorman, A History of the Church in England, 3rd ed. (1980)
Mark D. Chapman, Anglican Theology (T&T Clark, 2012)
Stephen Spencer, ed., Theology Reforming Society: Revisiting Anglican Social Theology (SCM Press 2017)

Your Instructor

The Very Rev. Dr. Don H. Compier (Ph.D. in theology, Emory University) is Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. Previously, Compier taught Master’s and Ph.D. courses in theology, philosophy, and modern church history at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. He has also offered classes at Saint Paul School of Theology and Eden Theological Seminary. He led the graduate program in religion at Graceland University from 2002 until 2014, developing an innovative online curriculum. He is currently conducting research on the history of Eucharistic thought in the Anglican tradition. He is completing his internship to be a guide to persons doing the Ignatian Exercises.

New Testament
The course is a study of the Gospels, Epistles, and other writings of the New Testament that gives consideration to the their historical, literary, and theological dimensions. After taking this course, students will have gained a general understanding of the major stories and theological ideas of the New Testament, a basic familiarity with the variety of methods scholars use to interpret the New Testament, a basic sense of the origins and historical development of the New Testament, and an appreciation for variation and similarity within interpretations of the New Testament.
Required Texts

David L. Barr, New Testament Story: An Introduction. 4th ed. Cengage Learning Press, 2008.

Your Instructor

Dr. Arminta Fox is Assistant Professor of Religion and Director of Peer Ministry at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. She earned her PhD in Biblical Studies from Drew University Theological School in Madison, New Jersey in 2015. A New Testament scholar, Dr. Fox’s primary areas of research include the complex development of identity in biblical texts and early Christian history, feminist biblical scholarship, contextual hermeneutics, and material culture. Her first book, Paul Decentered: Reading 2 Corinthians with the Corinthian Women, was published by Lexington/Fortress Academic in December 2019. This work analyzes how Paul’s letters, particularly 2 Corinthians, witness to complex debates between Paul and the communities in which he worked. It argues that women played an important role in the development of the Christian community in Corinth.

Old Testament I
Old Testament I will focus on methods for biblical study, major topics like covenant, law, and prophecy, and will provide students with a clear sense of historical and cultural context for these materials. While this is a survey, it will emphasize those “must know” concepts, personages, events, and literary genres essential to a basic knowledge of the Old Testament.
Required Texts

V. Matthews & J. Moyer, The Old Testament: Text and Context (3rd edition; Baker, 2012)
V. Matthews & D. Benjamin, Old Testament Parallels (4th edition; Paulist, 2016)

Your Instructor

Dr. Victor Matthews is a Professor of Religious Studies and Dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs at Missouri State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, specializing in the social world of ancient Israel. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Examining Chaplains for the Diocese of West Missouri.

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!

October Overview

Classes begin on Monday, September 13. 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 October 9-10, 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, November 12.
Grades due November 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.