Re-Thinking the Christ Movements of the First Two Centuries

The Friday night lecture anticipates and introduces the amazing diversity, social innovation, and humour-filled challenge to Roman imperialism that the four Saturday lectures will deepen. This is a stunning challenge to the conventional picture of the so-called “early churches.”

The dynamic beginnings of the early Jesus communities are legendary but sometimes forgotten or contested. There is a widespread misconception in the Church that the “Jesus Movement” during the two or three centuries after Jesus’ crucifixion was recognisably similar to modern mainstream Christianity. This is not the case & before a recognisable Christianity emerged there was wide diversity in the forms these communities took and in their practices, beliefs & the way they lived – partly as a protest against Roman imperialism & partly as communities of mutual support. The challenges these progenitors of Christianity faced are instructive to us as the modern Church searches for ways to remake itself so that it is relevant in addressing the issues facing today’s society. Professor Taussig will present a compelling perspective on this subject which is informed by his extensive research over several decades.

Professor Hal Taussig, one of the leading theologians of the late 20th & early 21st centuries, is to tour Australia & New Zealand in October & November this year under the Common Dreams on the Road banner.

Hal has recently retired as Visiting Professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary, New York where he taught masters & doctoral level studies. He is Professor of Early Christianity at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. He has also retired from 30+ years as a United Methodist pastor & now is specially assigned by his bishop as a consultant to local congregations. Hal is co-chair of the Society of Biblical Literature’s Consultation on Greco-Roman meals, & on the steering committees of SBL’s Seminar on Modern Theories & Ancient Myths of Christian Origins and the Greco-Roman Meals Consultation.

Professor Taussig is a foundation fellow of the Westar Institute & participated in that Institute’s celebrated Jesus Seminar. He is currently co-chair of Westar’s Christianity Seminar. Among his 14 published books are A New New Testament: A Bible for the 21stCentury & Newly Discovered Texts (2013); A New Spiritual Home: Progressive Christianity at the Grass Roots (2006); & Re-imagining Life Together in America: A New Gospel of Community (2002).

REGISTRATION

Registration is essential (as this is a catered event). The easiest way to register is on line at https://haltaussig.eventbrite.com.au or alternatively by mail by completing & mailing the form below to The Progressive Christian Network of Victoria (address below).

You may register for the full series or, if you are unable to attend on Saturday, only for the Friday evening lecture.

Admission Costs (per person):