Visions of Amen

On Thursday, September 17, 2015, Rev. Ron Graham will lead our discussion of Stephen Schloesser's
Visions of Amen: The Early Life & Music of Oliver Messiaen

Gospel of Freedom

On Thursday, May 21, Rev. Doug Bowden will present on Jonathan Rieder's Gospel of Freedom.  Having been arrested in 1963 for participating in civil disobedience, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote Letter from Birmingham Jail, as a response to white clergy who criticized King's methods.  King's response has galvanized non-violent protest around the world.  Using interviews with King's colleagues and rare recordings of King's public speeches, Rieder paints a three-dimensional portrait of King.
    

But Where Is the Lamb?

On Thursday, March 19, 2015, Kristen Balisi will present on But Where Is the Lamb: Imagining the story of Abraham and Isaac by James Goodman.  In But Where Is the Lamb, Goodman explores various meanings of the Akedah through Jewish, Christian, and Muslim interpretations of the story.  

The Swerve and Christian Humanism

On Thursday, January 22, 2015, the Revs. Joseph Johnson and Phil Dripps will present on The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt and Christian Humanism & the Reformation by Erasmus, ed. John C. Olin.

The Vision of Islam (see change of location)

On Thursday, November 13 Rev. Ron Graham will lead our discussion of Sachiko Murata and William Chittick's The Vision of Islam at First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst (232 S. York).  

The change of location is an accommodation for a special guest.  Ron has made arrangements for Professor Inamul Haq of Elmhurst College to join us from Noon-2:00 p.m.  Prof. Haq uses The Vision of Islam as an introductory textbook for Muslim and non-Muslim students alike.  

The authors explore basic Islamic beliefs and four dimensions of Islam, including practice, faith, spirituality, and history from a Muslim point of view. They incorporate teachings from the Koran, sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, and other traditional writings.

At a time when Muslims are frequently portrayed as terrorists, this session is an opportunity to learn more about Islamic faith from a respected Muslim practitioner, teacher, and leader.

God Is Here to Stay

On Thursday, September 25, 2014, Dr. Al Brunsting will present on the book he co-authored with Thomas McFaul, God Is Here to Stay: Science, Evolution, and Belief in God.

The book explores the question of God's existence from the perspective physical science and human experience.    McFaul and Brunsting construct a scale of confidence on how scientific discoveries affect religious belief.  They agrue that science and religion have become increasingly mutually supportive. 

Renaissance and Reformation

On Thursday, May 22, 2014, Rev. Emery Purcell will present on William R. Estep's Renaissance and Reformation, a historical exploration of the Reformation and its relationship to the Renaissance.  Estep considers major firgures, including Wycliffe, Huss, Erasmus, Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin.

Also, we will select books and assign presenters for the coming season, so bring your recommendations.