Blessed to be a Blessing: The Discipleship of the Beatitudes
About the seminar topic, from Brite’s website:
“In Matthew’s Gospel, the Sermon on the Mount inaugurates Jesus’ public ministry, and the first word out of Jesus’ mouth is ‘blessed’. He repeats this word throughout his first sermon. Jesus calls his disciples by blessing them, and as he speaks, Jesus introduces himself to us but also introduces disciples to themselves, for the Beatitudes offer a character sketch of who disciples will become if they follow him. The Beatitudes function as a compass for the journey of Christian discipleship. The first group of Beatitudes target people in situations of suffering. The second group of Beatitudes target people who help those who suffer. Through an appeal to experience and biblical stories, we will look closely at Jesus, the one blessing and the one blessed, at the disciples who are blessed to be a blessing, and at how blessing is made real in practice.”
About the speaker
Martha Stortz is Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation, Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN. From 1981 to 2010, she taught at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary where she also served as a member of the core doctoral faculty at the Graduate Theological Union, in Berkeley, Calif. Dr. Stortz, who received her BA from Carleton College and her MA and PhD from the University of Chicago, is a distinguished theologian whose scholarship includes work in historical and systematic theology, ethics, and biblical studies. She is an acclaimed teacher, scholar, and leader in the church, academy, and wider society. In addition to her many published articles, she is the author of A World According to God: Practices for Putting Faith at the Center of Your Life, Blessed to Follow: The Beatitudes As a Compass for Discipleship, and Journey’s in John’s Gospel: Called to Follow.
Registration is $35 and includes a light lunch. Scholarships are available. Register online or call 817.257.7580.
About the seminar series
This seminar is one of a series of learning opportunities open to lay members and clergy of any denomination, presented by the Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity at Brite Divinity School.
The Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity is open to all who want to continue learning and growing through biblical study, exploration of contemporary issues from a faith perspective, interfaith dialogue, and critical thinking about the basis of Christian understanding of God, humanity, and the world. Top scholars with a heart for the church bring their expertise and passion for sharing that knowledge with people engaged in ministry and those who simply want to learn.
Seminars are typically held on Saturdays and participants may attend an individual event or sign up for the whole series.
