Join Dr. Andy Morgan for an enlightening three-week Adult Sunday School class exploring the intriguing history of the afterlife in Judaism and early Christianity and its profound implications for our understanding of justice. This class, a passion project of Dr. Morgan who has spent the last eight years researching this topic, will take place on Sunday mornings from July 21 to August 4, in the James Park Room at First Presbyterian Church, from 9:45am to 10:45am, with a Zoom option available.
Throughout this course, we'll explore how historical shifts in the understanding of concepts like family tombs, Sheol, resurrection, Apocalypticism, Gehenna, and annihilationism have influenced perceptions of divine and human justice. We will delve deep into scripture and discuss how these eschatological views affect our role in the pursuit of God's justice in the world. This class will not only broaden your theological horizons but also challenge you to ponder whether we expect God's justice "here" in life or "after" in death, and how this impacts our faith and actions.
Session 1: [justice] here - Early Jewish Views of Afterlife Explore the foundational Jewish concepts of the afterlife - Explore ancient Jewish views such as the role of the family tomb and Sheol. This session will delve into how these early beliefs set expectations for justice during one's life.
Session 2: [justice] after - The Rise of Apocalypticism and Resurrection During the Exilic Period - Investigate the transformative period of the Exile, which intensified Jewish eschatological expectations. We will discuss the emergence of resurrection and apocalyptic visions and their implications for divine justice.
Session 3: [justice] here & after - Jesus' Teachings on Immediate and Future Justice - Examine how Jesus' teachings address both immediate justice and eschatological hopes, and how these teachings challenge us to rethink our roles in advocating for justice today.
Come ready to learn, question, and discuss how the historical perspectives on afterlife can illuminate our path toward living justly today. Email Andy Morgan with any questions at amorgan@fpcknox.org.