Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Teacher: Stanley Talbert This class explores theological perspectives on love, justice, and hope. If “God Loves Forever,” what are the implications of human love for God, the neighbor, and the self in the 21st century? The class will think with theologies of love, justice, and hope while constructing an ethic for the church’s engagement in our contemporary world.

Teacher: Esau McCaulley Words have meaning in context. What should the Christian mean when he or she speaks of justice? What are its foundations, aims, and purpose. Related to this question is the doctrine of sin. Is sin personal, corporate (systemic), or some combination of the two? This seminar will outline a Christian definition of justice rooted in the vision for the Kingdom of God that emerges across the canon.

Teacher: Rubel Shelley The message of Scripture is that same-sex activity is outside God's will, but our culture tells us that "authentic personhood" and "one's true identity" must not be denied. The role of the Holy Spirit is to empower virtue and to enable Christians -- whether heterosexual or homosexual by orientation -- to live in chastity and fidelity as we are transformed into Christ's likeness.

Teachers: Josh Ross, Chris Seidman Life and ministry is much richer when we’re not the only ones doing the talking. We’ll pull on the thread of the Lord’s voice that runs throughout Scripture and talk practically about the challenges of discerning and following His voice in our lives today. We’ll also enjoy a few testimonies, and laugh (or cringe) over a few misguided experiences along the way.

Teachers: John Barton, KIBO Group John will share experiences and lessons learned in his work with Kibo Group International, and his thirty years of involvement in cross-cultural church work and community development.

Teachers: Sharon Hargrave, Dee Dee Mayer Many of us worry from time to time, but those who suffer from anxiety often experience fear that limits daily life and activities and makes it hard to find joy. Anxiety also impacts our ability to relate to one another in healthy ways. Over the last decade, mental health issues have been on the rise, with anxiety and depression taking the lead. The National Institute for Mental Health reports that 31 percent of adults in America experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. These numbers are not different for people in the church. In fact, research shows that approximately one in five people sitting in congregation each week are struggling with a diagnosable anxiety disorder, and pastors are not immune to this statistic. Join Sharon Hargrave and Dee Dee Mayer as they share new resources created through the RelateStrong Leadership Series to support people seeking to constructively address anxiety personally or in those they lead and serve. Whether a lay leader or a minister, this session is for you.

Teachers: Greg Anderson, Grady King In 2022, Hope Network Ministries facilitated a nationwide Compelling Preaching survey on behalf of Pepperdine University's Office of Church Relations. The purpose of this class is to review some of the key takeaways from the data, process where we are aligned and where we are disconnected, and offer suggestions to church leaders on how to equip their congregations for more compelling preaching.

Teacher: Cliff Barbarick The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 grapples with a universal human experience: sometimes the loving God responds to our cries for justice with silence. How do we understand such moments, and what do we do? To explore this story, we will learn it by heart and tell it to one another. It's possible—and fun!—to learn the story quickly, and the process deepens our appreciation for this deceptively simple parable.

Teacher: Michael Chaffin The Hebrew Scriptures are filled with superlative language describing the faithfulness of God. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases," or "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever." These are words of protest as well as praise; words offered in the midst of suffering, not simply once it has passed. What might these extreme expressions of inexhaustible loyalty mean for God's groaning creation? What are the ultimate implications for a God of such character? Psalm 139 shifts our expectations of God's promises by expanding our experience of his presence.

Teacher: Kindy De Long "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). God's love is at the center of the story of Jesus. It is why the Word was made flesh, why Jesus died rather than conquered, and why we experience grace through Christ. Focusing on God's love in the New Testament, this class will explore what it means to be loved by God and how being loved by God changes us.