WHY DO THE NATIONS RAGE?

Gospel Solutions to Prejudice and Separation
2009 International Teaching Seminar
August 14-16, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia

Can the gospel that is proclaimed for “every nation, tribe, language and people” also be the solution to widespread strife in the world? If so, then Christians ought to exemplify God’s multi-cultural intent in fellowship and worship.

This seminar is about recognizing biblical solutions to all forms of prejudice and separation that are biblical, timeless and unspecific to geography. Atlanta is a perfectly suited city for this discussion because it was the cradle of the American Civil Rights movement. Join us in this seminar as we stare down some of today’s greatest challenges with the Bible and the Gospel.

Friday night, 14 August
EVEN NINEVEH: GOD'S VIEW OF HIS OFFSPRING -- Douglas Jacoby

Our Enemies on the International Scene. The Scriptures demonstrate God's heart for all people—even the enemies of His Law and His people. Let us allow the Scriptures to guide us past our prejudices through sacred stories from the Exodus to the Exile where God's people were called to overcome their inbred fallacies about others.

Saturday 15 August
NO DIFFERENCE IN THE FARE -- Ben Barnett

National Racial Prejudice Enters the Church. An exploration of race issues in the west due to western Eurocentricism. In America this has resulted in slavery and segregation (Blacks), anti-semitism (Jews), internment (Japanese), Zoot Suit Scapegoating Affair (Hispanics), fear-mongering (Middle Easterners) and her most homogeneous hour among professing Christians—Sunday 11am. Also covers biblical contributions to the early Civil Rights movement.

THERE IS NO SCYTHIAN IN CHRIST -- Steve Staten
Class Distinctions in the Fellowship. Jesus and his apostles faced status issues in the Gospels and Acts. In time the church reached beyond barbarians to the (presumably more despised) Scythians. How do traits such as snobbery, envy and entitlement appear in the Scriptures? Also considers the possibility that subtle class and status prejudice does more harm than obvious prejudices.

THE WOLF WILL DWELL WITH THE LAMB -- Abdel Aziz Sarah
Politics and the Disciple’s Heart. Must we be Pro-Israel or Pro-Palestine? There are many political pundits and fear-mongers whose ultimate goals are very different than those of the followers of Christ. As ministers of reconciliation we should grasp the historical and contemporary issues but keep the eternal perspective in mind.

SHORT PRESENTATIONS
The Early Church Fathers on Prejudice and Separation—Joey Harris
Race Challenges in Asia and Beyond—Frank Kim
How Labels are Misleading—Richard Alawaye

PANEL DISCUSSION
Guests have been asked to prepare opening and closing comments to one of the following questions—(1) “What solutions to prejudice are being missed among religious people?” (2) “How can we increase diversity in spiritual roles without compromising biblical standards to appear diverse?” (3) “……..?”

Richard Alawaye
Ben Barnett

Gordon Ferguson
Joey Harris
Abdel Aziz Sarah
D. Jacoby or S Staten

Sunday 16 August
"TO EVERY NATION, TRIBE, LANGUAGE & PEOPLE" -- Gordon Ferguson

An oft ignored Part of the Great Commission. Jesus gave his Galilean followers the mandate to go to train the various ethne (ethnic groups, nations). As evident in the book of Acts Jesus’ followers gradually overcame many difficulties with the help of the Spirit. Some challenges were overcome in the baptistery while others took some time.

LOCATION:
320 Austin Avenue, Marietta, Georgia
This is the meeting place of the North River Church of Christ

WHO IS INVITED?
All Christians are invited to this seminar. There is an expectation that participants will come ready to learn, but it is not necessary to be a teacher, church minister, or staff member.

ACCOMMODATION
There are hotels in the area. You may also ask to be housed in homes of North River members (limited availability).

PRICE
$150 is the registration fee (for those who sign up by 1 July). After this time, the price will increase to $180. This is the price for all attending from the US and Canada.

DISCOUNTS
* Spouses -- 1/2 off.
* Full-time students -- 1/2 off.
* Those 65 and above -- 1/2 off.
* Children under 18 -- 2/3 off.
* Those from outside US/Canada -- 2/3 off (no spouse discount).
* Early registration (before 1 May) -- save an additional 10%.

REGISTRATION
Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for further details. Payment can be made by check, bank wire, or credit/debit card (Amex, Visa, MC, Discover).