Rev. Drew G. I. Hart, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology at Messiah University, Author of Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism and Who Will Be A Witness?: Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance
In this two part talk, Rev. Dr. Drew G. I. Hart invites the church to honestly examine its relationship with racism and to move toward faithful action. The first session challenges how believers understand racism. It questions the myth of the objective, neutral observer and shows how race quietly engineers and shapes everyday life. Rev. Dr. Hart's second session asks why the church itself is implicated in racism, tracing the history of Christendom and colonialism and reexamining the release of Barabbas alongside the nonviolent revolution of Jesus. It explores how the radical discipleship of Jesus became domesticated over time and ends with a call to ecclesial witness for justice, highlighting the proven effectiveness of nonviolent resistance and offering practical next steps for congregations ready to respond.
Dr. Andy Johnson, Professor and Chair in Biblical Theology at Nazarene Theological Seminary
Learn from Dr. Andy Johnson as he explores the primary meaning and relationship of both justice and holiness in the Bible. Dr. Johnson surveys biblical passges to show: (1) that the essence of God’s character is holiness and that God’s commitment to restorative justice is part and parcel of what it means to be God; and (2) that God calls God’s people to reflect his holy character and individuals and communities can only do that by practicing restorative justice.