Two very special presenters are featured in PCOL’s Adult Education program for October, via zoom. On October 4 and 11, a distinguished professor at Princeton Theological Seminary will help us in “Making Sense of the Sermon on the Mount.” On October 18 and 25, a professor of communications at West Chester University, an expert in political communication, will help us think about “Christians and Rhetoric in an Election Year.”

Making Sense of the Sermon on the Mount | October 4 and 11, 11:15 am to 12:15 pm

Christians have long puzzled over why the Sermon on the Mount seems to ask us to do what is impossible. Who does not get angry? How can we love our enemies or our neighbors as ourselves? This two-session class will look at what Christians down through the ages have made of Matthew, chapters 5-7, and then offer some suggestions as to what lessons we can take away for ourselves.

Our teacher is Dr. Dale Allison, a distinguished Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary. He has been called “the premier Matthew specialist of his generation in the United States,” and has written books on the Sermon on the Mount. He is an ordained elder in the PC (USA). The Zoom links are:

Oct 4 – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81008829244?pwd=RU91bU1paVRNYWgzYzk1NHp2bGs2Zz09

Oct 11 – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86938795711?pwd=N0VoR1RTbTdDVnFTak9zQ0hTL0RZQT09

 

Christians and Rhetoric in an Election Year | October 18 and 25, 11:15 am to 12:15 pm

We are in a season where rhetoric matters. We hear super-charged messages all around us. How can we process what we hear, become aware of how language can be used to manipulate us, and arrive at a deeper understanding? Further, as Christians, what we say and how we say it matters. How do we speak the truth in love – to those who agree and those who do not? This two-session class will address these issues and more.

Our teacher is Dr. Kevin Dean, Professor in the Communication Studies Department and Director of the Honors College at West Chester University.  Dr. Dean describes himself as a political and communication junkie, and over the years has coached students who have distinguished themselves at the National Forensics Championships. The Zoom links are:

Oct 18 –  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82383673132?pwd=UXV1dzVnZHVMY0g1WVJvVlB0V2hidz09

Oct 25 – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82146552924?pwd=aFA4bm1MaXR2K0ZmaWU5S1Ryai9LZz09