Hell on Earth

Lewis O. Brogdon
Assistant Professor of Black Church Studies
Director of the Black Church Studies Program

Fall Convocation

September 8, 2011
Luke 16:19-25

In the story of the rich man and the poor man named Lazarus, we are introduced to Luke’s critique of riches and his belief in hell as the final abode of the unrighteous in the afterlife. However, Dr. Lewis Brogdon brings this story to contemporary application, asking, “What would happen if the focus of this text shifted from the terrifying image of hell in the afterlife to the image of hell in this life?” Brogdon makes the case that an eschatological image of hell on earth gives the church new language to reflect theologically on human suffering, despair, and the modern crisis of nihilism, particularly in African American communities, in America.  Listen to the lecture.  Read the lecture in PDF.

Drawing Life

Dr. Bradley J. Wigger
Second Presbyterian Church Professor of Christian Education

John 11:17-44
March 30, 2007

With the help of students in the Practical Theology class Dr. Wigger explores the story of the raising of Lazarus. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon.

Unbind the Dead

Rev. Dr. Dale P. Andrews
Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology
Boston University School of Theology

John 11:28-44

March 11, 2007

Like Mary and Martha who mourned the death of their brother Lazarus, we believe that death must be removed in order to have Emmanuel – God with us. Instead, the overwhelmed Jesus overwhelms death by moving the stone to stand in the middle of death. Listen to the sermon.