Theology
The Rector's Christian Doctrine Class
Among the many opportunites to learn about church doctrine (worshipping with us regularly and reading Holy Scripture are two of the best ways), we encourage you to attend adult education classes and also to read and/or listen to sermons in the archive.
That said, each year we offer a class specifically for those who want an introduction to the faith:
The Rector's Christian Doctrine Class is offered every January - May and will begin anew in January 2014. The class is especially designed for those who want to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. But it is also for anyone who is interested in learning more about Christ and about the doctine and traditions of the church, as we've received them. Even though the class will not begin again until 2014, we encourage you to worship with us, study and pray with us, and make yourself known to us. Our doors are open 365 days a year (at least one Mass is offered every day) and you can contact us anytime if you are interested in learning more.
Texts
Two books are used in the course.
Cafe Theology
by Michael Lloyd
ISBN: 1-904074-76-6
by Robert Bruce Mullin
ISBN: 978-0-664-22686-2
Dates and Topics
Dates for 2014 will be listed in the autumn of 2013. In the meantime, you may see the structure of the class by looking at the class sessions from 2013:
| Dates in 2013
|
Topic
|
Suggested Readings from Cafe Theology
|
| January 15
|
God the Father: Creation & Fall
|
Chapter 1: Creation
|
| January 22
|
God the Son: Incarnation & Atonement
|
Chapter 4: Incarnation
|
| January 29
|
God the Holy Spirit
|
Chapter 7: Holy Spirit
|
| February 5
|
The Holy Trinity
|
Chapter 8: Holy Trinity
|
| February 19
|
Church History
|
Chapter 2: Fall
|
| February 26
|
Church Organization & Ministry
|
Chapter 3: Providence
|
| March 5
|
Prayer
|
Chapter 5: Atonement
|
| March 12
|
Sacraments, Especially Baptism
|
Chapter 6: Resurrection & Ascension
|
| March 19
|
The Ten Commandments
|
Chapter 10: The Church
|
| April 9
|
Sacramental Confession
|
|
| April 16
|
The Holy Eucharist
|
|
| April 23
|
Confirmation, Matrimony, Unction
|
|
| April 30
|
Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell
|
Chapter 9: The Final Victory of God
|
| May 7
|
Wrap-up
|
|
Confirmation and Reception occured at the 11am Festal Eucharist on Sunday, May 12, 2013.
Webcast of the Spring 2013 Theology Lecture
On Wednesday, May 1, 2013
6:30pm
Victor Lee Austin
Theologian-in-residence of Saint Thomas Church
author of
Chirstian Ethics: A Guide for the Perplexed
What is Christian Ethics?.
Apostles' Creed Sermon Series
the clergy of Saint Thomas
took up the Apostles' Creed,
line-by-line,
at Sunday Evensong.
See the complete series here.