The Lay Academy of Theology offers non-credit evening classes and other study opportunities led by Beeson faculty for interested laity as well as ministers desiring continuing education.
Evening Courses
How to Live with God: The Theology of the Pentateuch
The first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, form the foundation for both the Jewish and Christian faiths. Yet these books contain some of the strangest and most unapproachable material in Scripture. In this course, led by Alex Kirk, we’ll spend six weeks examining both the overarching structure of the five books of Moses and a sampling of theologically momentous texts from each of the five books. In considering each of these texts, we will ask how they speak to the Gospel of Jesus Christ—thus we will learn what we are made for and how we might live in fellowship with God. Come learn how to read the Pentateuch so that you might approach the mountain to hear God speak with confidence.
Alex Kirk (PhD, Theology and Religion, Durham University; MA, Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, The University of Toronto; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary – Orlando) joined the faculty of Beeson Divinity School in 2024 and teaches in the areas of Old Testament and Hebrew. He has previously taught in nearly a dozen countries.
Schedule: Six Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m., beginning on Feb. 24.
Cost: $94 if attending on campus; $74 if participating virtually. Discounted rates expire on Feb. 17 - $120/$100 thereafter
World Religions and a Christian Response
Journey across the spiritual landscape of the world in this engaging and eye-opening course, led by Methodist Chair of Divinity Timothy Tennent, designed to introduce you to the major non-Christian religions of the world. Every religion bears witness to humanity's search for meaning, forgiveness or truth. But as we trace the spiritual paths of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, we will discover afresh the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ. Drawing on years of experience engaging with other religions, Dr. Tennent will help you not only learn what different religions believe and teach, but also how Christians are effectively engaging with those who follow other faiths with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Come ready to grow in understanding, compassion and conviction.
Timothy Tennent (PhD, University of Edinburgh; ThM, Princeton Theological Seminary; MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, joined the faculty of Beeson Divinity School as its Methodist Chair of Divinity in January 2025 after serving for 15 years as the president of Asbury Theological Seminary. Tennent teaches courses in missiology, with degrees in Islam and Hinduism, with a focus on the Christian response in those contexts.
Schedule: Six Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., beginning on Feb. 26.
Cost: $94 if attending on campus; $74 if participating virtually. Discounted rates expire on Feb. 19 - $120/$100 thereafter
Weekday Seminar
Early Reformation Theology
The 16th-century Reformation changed the face of the church and redefined its theology. There were four distinct Protestant Reformations, each of which took shape early on and defined the main branches of Protestantism that still exist today. In this course, led by Gerald Bray, we shall look at each of these in turn, examine their causes and explain how they emerged as a coalition of related movements that retained their individuality even as they resembled and interacted with each other.
Gerald Bray (MLitt, DLitt, University of Paris-Sorbonne) serves as research professor of divinity at Beeson and teaches in the areas of church history and historical theology. Bray is a notable author and scholar.
Schedule: Six Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m. beginning on Jan. 27.
Cost: $94 if attending on campus; $74 if participating virtually. Discounted rates expire on Jan. 20 - $120/$100 thereafter
