Contending with the Beast

Lewis O. Brogdon

Assistant Professor of New Testament and Black Church Studies
Director of the Black Church Studies Program

November 8, 2013
Revelation 13:1-10

Apocalyptic images are not just helpful for the ancients as they sought to make sense of their suffering and poverty. These images are helpful in my attempt to describe what has proceeded out of the waters of the Middle Passage, centuries of colonialism, slavery, and racism. I believe the beast re-emerged and stands before us today. This sermon explores the importance of this image for the church today in the struggle against systemic evils like racism. In the end, this text calls for three things: a realistic faith, a relevant faith, and a resistant faith.  Listen to the sermon.

Good News for a Troubled Church: The Legacy and Hope of the Black Church

The Rev. Lewis Brogdon

Director of Black Church Studies Program

February 26, 2010
Revelation 2:8-11
Black Church Studies Consultation

The message to the church at Smyrna speaks to the traditions of the Black Church in a unique and challenging way. John tells a church that is already troubled and poor that more trouble is on the way. John also instructs the church not to be afraid of what they will face. This message intersects with the legacy and hope of the Black Church in ways that challenge us to face the “tribulation” with hope and realism. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF

Exploring Time

Frances S. Adeney
William A. Benfield, Jr. Professor of Evangelism and Global Mission

October 10, 2008
Genesis 1:31-32
Psalm 136:1-3
Ezekiel 13:26-28
Matthew 4:17
1Thessalonians 4: 16-17
1Thessalonians 5:1-3
1John 2:18
1 John 5:11
Revelation 22:7

In our scripture readings today we encounter multiple views of time. Our understanding of time itself is conditioned by language, economic and political relations, religious faith, and social organization. We are challenged to think about time (and language) from a Christian perspective. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.