Institute for Justice Formation

TP 2305 - Class 13
2020-12-03 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Exodus Preaching
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: K. Gilbert

Black Presbyterians and Racial Justice: Reshaping the Reformed Tradition in the U.S.
2020-11-21 10:00 - 12:00
Click here to register.
The Reformed Tradition has been complicit in slavery, segregation, and White dominance throughout U.S. history. At the same time, Black Presbyterians have drawn on deep wells of resilience and prophetic vision to contest such racism and to reframe the tradition from within. Two gifted scholars will present the narratives of African American Presbyterians, including Francis Grimke and Gayraud Wilmore, that refashion today’s church and its theology to serve racial diversity, equity, and justice. Speakers will explore such history in relation to this moment of racial reckoning in the U.S.

Rev. Dr. Perzavia Praylow is Pastor of Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC and teaches African American History at Bowie State University (MD). Previously, she was an assistant professor of American History at Augusta University. Dr. Praylow earned a PhD in American History, an MA in Education Policy and a MA in History all from the University of Illinois (Urbana, IL), an MDiv at Columbia Theological Seminary, a Masters of Sacred Theology at Lutheran Theology Southern Seminary (SC), and a BA in History at Drew University. Dr. Praylow’s research focuses on 20th Century race relations, American religious history, African American social equality and the history of education. She is editing her first book project, Educating the Talented Tenth: Fisk University Students, the Politics of Race Leadership and the Struggle for African American Equality and is completing a manuscript on the mission work of Black women ruling elders in Black Presbyterian churches in the Carolinas. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Historical Society, is a member of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Mission Development Resource Committee, the DC Mayor’s Interfaith Council and has served on the strategy Team of Next Church and the Alumni Council of Columbia Theological Seminary. She is an ordained Presbyterian minister.
Rev. Dr. Douglas H. Brown Clark is Visiting Assistant Professor at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in American, African American, and Africana religious history as a part of the seminary’s Black Church Studies program. He also teaches church history at Lexington Theological Seminary. Clark received a BA from Davidson College and an MDiv from Vanderbilt Divinity School, where he earned second honors and served as Student Body President. He then earned a PhD at Vanderbilt University, where he studied American and African American religious history with a focus on race, civil rights, and reparations. His current book project, A Solid Black Hyphen: Race, Religion, Identity, and the Black Power Activism of Gayraud S. Wilmore, examines the history of religion in the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, with a focus on late 1960s Black clergy advocates for reparations, especially Presbyterian minister, theologian, and activist Gayraud Wilmore. Clark’s research has benefited from support as a Research Fellow with the Presbyterian Historical Society, and as a Fellow in Vanderbilt’s Program in Theology and Practice. He chairs the southeast regional AAR’s History of Christianity section, and previously chaired Vanderbilt’s Graduate Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister.

TP 2305 - Class 12
2020-11-19 08:00 - 10:00
Western Theories of Justice
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: Shirin

TP 2305 - Class 11
2020-11-12 08:00 - 10:00
Justice in The Testament
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: Angela Parker

Short Course on Biblical Justice and Christian Formation
2020-11-07 10:00 - 11:30
https://reformedinstitute.org/event/short-course-on-biblical-justice-and-christian-formation/
Short Course on Biblical Justice and Christian Formation
A short course this fall with presentations and discussion of Presbyterian scholar Michael Barram’s “Missional Economics: Biblical Justice and Christian Formation.” LIVE ZOOM event on Saturdays, Nov. 7, 14, and 21 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. We will engage with church leaders from the Justice Formation Fellowship a group of White and Black churches connected with the John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Join us for this ecumenical conversation of key Biblical texts on justice and economics, and their implications for our communities. Registration details to follow.

TP 2305 - Class 10
2020-11-05 08:00 - 10:00
Justice in the Sermon on the Mount
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: D. Dapaah

TP 2305 - Class 9
2020-10-22 08:00 - 10:00
Justice in the Old Testament Wisdom Literature
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: M. Reed

TP2305 - Class 8
2020-10-15 08:00 - 10:00
Reading

TP2305 - Class 7
2020-10-07 08:00 - 10:00
Justice According to the Prophets
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: M. Catlett

TP2305 - Class 6
2020-10-01 08:00 - 10:00
The Story of Israel: A community of Equals
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: W. Smith

TP2305 - Class 5
2020-09-24 08:00 - 10:00
Exodus: Justice as Faithfulness
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: J. James

Presbyterians and Race: A Reflective Experience in Power and Social Justice
2020-09-19 09:45 - 12:00
https://reformedinstitute.org/event/presbyterians-race-and-justice-walk-sept-19/
An event for this time of racial reckoning.
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 a.m.-noon (gather at 9:45). The Reformed Institute will hold a reflective walk in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia to sites that mark key moments in the story of Presbyterians, White supremacy, and Black resistance from colonial days to the present. The walk will focus on reflection, inspiration and a challenge to action for racial justice at each of the sites below. Limited to 25 participants; RSVP below. (Masks required, a van is available for those with physical limitations.)
Presbyterian cemetery (starting point) where White slaveholders and workers for abolition are buried side by side. We will also pass the Frederick Douglas Cemetery, where many Black families are buried.
The Freedom House: now a Museum built on one of the largest holding pens for enslaved peoples, often “owned” by White Presbyterians like Carlyle and Alexander, but with their own stories of resistance and dignity.
Site of Appomattox Statue to dead Confederate soldiers, including white Presbyterians, who fought for the “the Lost Cause,” and recently removed by the city after Virginia law changed.
Beulah Baptist Church: founded by Rev. Clem Robinson, a graduate of Presbyterian Ashmun Institute (PA) for African-Americans, and site of first theological school founded for former slaves during Reconstruction.
Alexandria Academy: first semi-public school for Whites in Alexandria, organized and lead by Presbyterians, and supported by George Washington’s scholarships for poorer students. Robert E. Lee was schooled here. Also site of early Black school in 19th century.
The Progressive Club: established by Black federal workers, denied access to established clubs, in order to strengthen social networks and offer hospitality to professional Black families.
Old Presbyterian Meeting House: Colonial church founded by city fathers, with prominent slave “owners,” some slavery resisters, and some Black congregants in the early days.
Contraband and Freedman’s Cemetery: burial site of Black Freedmen who struggled with White supremacy and those who successfully escaped slavery during Reconstruction. Their stories continue to inspire and guide present struggles for racial justice. (Vans will take us here, and back to cars at the Presbyterian Cemetery.)
This walk is dedicated to engaging Reformed history and theology with all its voices, and to serve as a resource for challenging White dominance, lifting up Black resistance and furthering racial justice. Leaders: Dr. Kent Myers, Judy Herseth, Dr. Perzavia Praylow, Pamela Russel, Dr. Larry Golemon
Presbyterians Race and Justice Walk flyer Sept 19

TP2305 - Class 4
2020-09-17 08:00 - 10:00
Justice, The Fall and Responsibility
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: D. Houck

TP2305 - Class 3
2020-09-10 08:00 - 10:00
The Story of Creation; Justice as Cosmic Order
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: R. Wallace

TP 2305 - Class 2
2020-09-03 08:00 - 10:00
What God Says About Justice and Righteousness
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: D. Carro

Jesus Actions vs Jesus Slogans -- VUL Open House Open House for VUL Leonard N. Smith School of Religion
2020-08-29
It’s time to get focused on the areas you need help with
Viriginia University Lynchberg presents: Jesus Actions vs Jesus Slogans
Unlike physical conferences where you can end up sitting through content you just don’t need, Jesus Actions vs Jesus Slogans — VUL Open House is delivered entirely online. Dip in and watch the specific talks you need to transform your business, or catch them all. It’s up to you!
https://vul-one-house.heysummit.com/?ah=BozDEGDQ

TP2305 - Class 1
2020-08-27 08:00 - 10:00
Introduction
In Search of Biblical Justice
Lecturer: S. Feemster
