Our Life in Common Series
Theological Reflection on Today's World
Theology plays a powerful role in our shared experience. Good theology breathes life into our communities. Likewise, bad—or perhaps misguided—theology can foster intolerance and injustice. While many people worship in churches where they can critically examine their own thinking about God, these discussions can move beyond church walls to truly impact every person in our community. For that reason, we’ve launched the Our Life in Common Series as a space to have meaningful discussion and exploration about faith, humanity, ethics, and other relevant topics.
2022-2023
Our Life in Common Series
Community learning through a theological lens
These 6-week online courses will be hosted online on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. Dr. Robert Saler, Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture at Christian Theological Seminary, will facilitate a series of guest lecturers including sociologists, economic thinkers, and religious practitioners. These lectures and discussions will help us understand how our faith and our money are intertwined in both our individual lives and in our society. Dive deeper into the relationships between Christianity and economics in a safe space to discuss practical and faithful actions for justice.
Fall
October 5 - November 9
Every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
Christianity, Consumption, and Capitalism
For the first course, Dr. Robert Saler, Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture at Christian Theological Seminary, will facilitate a series of guest lecturers (sociologists, economic thinkers, and religious practitioners) who will help us understand how our faith and our money are intertwined in both our individual lives and in our society.
Winter
January 11 - February 15
Every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
Christianity and Poverty
The second course will look more specifically at how poverty presents challenges both to our society and to our understanding of God’s call for justice in the world. The course will give particular attention to theologians, activists, and organizations that place poverty reduction at the center of their work.
Spring
February 22 - March 29
Every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
Christian Practices of Economic Justice
This course will drill down deeper into these topics while providing a space to discuss practical and faithful actions for justice. This course will draw deeply on networks and insights from CTS’ own “Faith in Action” project, which (among other things) supports individuals and institutions who are working concretely to reduce poverty and foster economic justice in their settings.
About the Series
This course series is open to all and provides a space where community members can engage with vital theological and ethical questions. There are no preconditions for prior education or formal religious commitment—everyone is welcome. Come be a part of community learning through a theological lens.
Online series of 6-week courses
(fall, winter and spring offerings)
Top instructors
and in-depth content
Reflection time between sessions
for class discussions (no formal assignments)
The series examines issues of faith and economics, including:
- How does modern capitalism shape our ways of engaging each other and our world?
- What does this have to do with our conceptions of God and creation?
- Is poverty a spiritual problem as well as an ethical and economic one?
- What are the theological motivations for anti-poverty activism?
- What sort of God-images foster economic justice?
