Online Learning

Welcome to the Online Learning page 

 If you need technical assistance, call or email Jim Laney, jlaney5@comcast.net, (816) 358-2095.

 

SUMMER SERIES 2008 We have been having a good time during our Series on Sunday afternoon in the Parish Hall this summer.  If you have not been able to join us, we invite you to take a look at what is posted online.  There are a lot of interesting and helpful ideas and comments.  Here's the link: http://summerseries2008.blogspot.com/

 

Is Tolerance Possible for Muslims, Jews and Christians?

We referred to these remarks by Yale University Professor Maria Rosa Menocal in our recent Lenten Program on Eastern Christianity during the session on the role of Islam. It is an interesting article, and highlights a period in Spanish history when Jews, Muslims and Christians lived together in tolerance and harmony. The remarks are adapted from Professor Menocal's book, The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain. Take a virtual walking tour of The Alhambra, widely regarded as Spain's greatest masterpiece of Islamic architecture.  On this extraordinary tour the fortress, palace and gardens of Granada's Nasrid Kingdom come to life.  With high-resolution, spherical panoramic photographs, supplemented by the words and sounds of the monument's audio tour, you can visit The Alhambra in a way that has never been possible before.  At your own pace, you will not only see its artistic highlights, you will be able to experience them almost as if you are there.

Fact and Fiction in the DaVinci Code   The DaVinci Code has remained on The New York Times bestseller list now for more than 50 weeks. Even though it is a work of fiction, it contains an ostensibly historical background involving early Christianity. But what is fact and what is fiction? Join Dr. Bart D. Ehrman, Professor of Religious Studies at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to understand the historical evidence behind such topics as the formation of the Christian Bible, Jesus' relationship with Mary Magdalene, and the role of the emperor Constantine in shaping the religion of the historical Jesus. Professor Ehrman (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is a 15-year teaching veteran at UNC and winner of several teaching awards. He is the author of the leading textbook on the New Testament, as well as four courses for The Teaching Company who is the sponsor of these free online lectures. Each of the lectures lasts 30 minutes and will be sure tosatisfy your curiosity about these questions. Bon appetit! Lecture 1: Constantine and the Formation of the Christian Canon Lecture 2: Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene Click here!

 

The Question of God

This past September, PBS presented THE QUESTION OF GOD, an intellectual journey into the lives and minds of two of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century: Sigmund Freud, a life-long critic of religious belief, and C. S. Lewis, the most popular proponent of faith based on reason.  Some time this winter we will offer this program at the church for viewing and discussion. Series background information and the 5-minute trailer may be viewed at the program site,      http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/questionofgod/series_desc.html The trailer is excellent and gives a good introduction to the topic; look for the link 'View the Video' on the About the Series page. The two-part series is based on the popular lectures and seminars of Harvard University professor, practicing psychiatrist, and author of the book, The Question of God, Dr. Armand Nicholi.