Religions are intimately connected in our ever-shrinking world. We need to be both deeply formed by Christian sources and broadly informed by interreligious resources to engage this world with confidence and graciousness. This course invites you to cultivate a missional presence in the world that is passionately Christian as well as compassionately interreligious. It accompanies you through various religious beliefs, practices, and communities to learn about unexpected divine wisdom in unexpected places.
This course will expand students’ religious knowledge through a respectful study of core beliefs and practices of the major world religions, challenge and enhance our spiritual practice by learning from God’s witnesses in different places, and provoke theological wisdom that can rejoice in the particularity of Christ while respectfully celebrating the universality of God.
Students will need to have a copy of Stephen Prothero’s book, God is not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Run the World – and why their Differences Matter.
Lessons Include:
- Our Christian Gospel and God’s Interreligious World
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Buddhism
- Sikhism
- Judaism
- Atheism
- Theological mediation on passion for Christ & compassion for all God’s family
- Christian mission in a world that is compassionately interreligious
2.0 CEUs are available.
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Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 12
Price: $85
CEUs: 2.0
Required books: No
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: No
Certification or Series: Yes (Wesley Academy for Advanced Christian Studies)
Read course description for details.
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Price: $85
Past Students Said…
“I believe I have a better appreciation for and understanding of the religions we studied. That includes where there may be similarities between those religions and where there is significant difference. As a result, I can be much better informed and effective as I participate in future dialogues with followers of these different faiths.”
“I especially liked the sections on Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hinduism; I was able to really understand their origins and differences.”
“The course helped me to develop a stronger understanding of Christianity and good responses to people of other faiths.”
Scott Gallagher
Scott Gallagher begins his work with the Wesley Academy for Advanced Christian Studies in the fall of 2022. Throughout Scott’s ministry he has led and facilitated seminars and workshops for clergy and laity.
Scott brings with him a wealth of knowledge from years of ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church, where he has served and created multi-cultural congregations. Additionally, he has received numerous multidisciplinary certifications over the past 25 years, through which he has applied the connection of spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being to multiple facets of ministry including administration, mission, congregational growth, and leadership excellence. Scott has applied his experience, research, and education in hands-on ways as a certified personal trainer, ministry guide, and even in the construction field. His application of these principles is founded upon the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, whereby all elements and understandings of creation work with Scripture to enable all to achieve fullness of existence.
Scott earned both his D.Min. and M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary.
About the Program Director
Dr. Michael Beardslee began working for the Institute for Discipleship and BeADisciple in early 2016, developing and facilitating courses for what was then called the Wesley Lay Academy. Following a stint as the Institute for Discipleship’s Visiting Scholar at Southwestern College, he continued his work at BeADisciple.com. Michael now serves as the Wesley Academy’s program director.
Michael earned his Ph.D from Fuller Seminary, under the mentorship of renowned Pentecostal theologian Amos Yong. Michael’s interests lie at the intersection of theology and culture, with his dissertation exploring the concept of orthodoxy as it pertains to a globalized world. Prior writings were featured in Breaking the Marriage Idol by Kutter Callaway (IVP, 2018), and in the scholarly journals Religion and Theology and Studies in World Christianity. Before his doctoral work, Michael received an M.A. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Th.M. in systematic theology from Trinity International University.
