February 14-16, 2011

Traditionally many in the West have unconsciously seen Jesus as the Savior of the World, the Word become flesh, the final revelation of God (and rightly so), but have not thought of him as a “theologian.”  Yes, Paul was a theologian, but Jesus? He told stories to villagers and fishermen.  We can easily find ethical examples from his life, but for serious theology we think we must turn to Paul (?)  This brief series of studies will focus on Jesus as Theologian and attempt to uncover what he had to say regarding the meaning of his own suffering.  The purpose of the time apart will be to renew ourselves, and refresh our preaching a we approach the Lenten season.

Kenneth E. Bailey, Th.D.

After undergraduate and seminary studies, Dr. Bailey completed degrees in Arabic Language and Literature, Systematic Theology and a doctorate in New Testament. Ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA), Dr. Bailey spent 40 years (1955-1995) living and teaching in seminaries and institutes in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem and Cyprus.   For 20 of those years Dr. Bailey was Professor of New Testament and Head of the Biblical Department of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut where he also founded and directed the Institute for Middle Eastern New Testament Studies. From September 1985 to June 1995, Dr. Bailey was on the faculty of "The Ecumenical Institute for Theological Research" in Jerusalem, with the title of Research Professor of Middle Eastern New Testament Studies.

Dr. Bailey's area of specialty is the cultural background and literary forms of the New Testament. In addition to more than 150 articles in English and in Arabic, his writings include:  Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes (Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008), “Open Hearts in Bethlehem (A Christmas Musical)” (Louisville: W/JK, 2005), The Cross and the Prodigal [Revised edition] (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2005), Jacob and the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel’s Story (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2003 ), Finding the Lost: Cultural Keys to Luke 15 (St. Louis: Concordia, 1992), Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, l980), God Is ... Dialogues on the Nature of God [Revised Edition] (Toronto: FFM, 2005)

 

Dr. Bailey has authored the scripts for two professionally produced feature length films and has also professionally recorded more than 100 video lectures on a variety of New Testament themes. He has taught at Columbia and Princeton and was for a time an adjunct professor at Dubuque, McCormick and Pittsburgh theological seminaries as well as at Fuller Seminary. Dr. Bailey has lectured in theological colleges and seminaries in England (Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol) Ireland, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Latvia, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia and Jerusalem. He is active as a Bible teacher for conferences and continuing education events in the Middle East, Europe and North America. His writings have been translated and published into more than 20 languages. In 1999 he received the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary “Distinguished Alumni Award for Excellence in Academics.”

The Baileys now reside in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bailey continues his ministry of lecturing, writing and recording in the field of New Testament.   (For more information visit: www.shenango.org/bailey.htm)

Arrival & registration: Plan to register between 3 and 5 Feb 14.  Departure is after lunch on Feb 16.

 

Cost:

•$247.00 per person 

(This includes the sessions, lodging, and meals.  Private room additional $20)