Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding
of Muhlenberg College

 Pre-Lent Workshop 
2004

Telling the Gospel Truth:
The Challenges of Passions Presentations
with


Dr. Mary Boys
Union Theological Seminary
New York, NY
Dr. Michael Cook
Hebrew Union College
Cincinnati, OH

Wednesday, January 28, 2004
(Snow date: Wednesday, February 4, 2004)
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Moyer Hall, Miller Forum
 Muhlenberg College Campus

Telling the Gospel Truth:
The Challenges of Passion Presentations

Program Description

Lent is about Passion – Jesus’ Passion, and the passion of Christians for their suffering Lord.  It has also been about the suffering of Jewish communities that were targeted for revenge after the Passion story had been told in traditional anti-Jewish form.   The announced Ash Wednesday release of Mel Gibson’s film, “The Passion of Christ,” will give an extra boost during Lent to this story fraught with memory and meaning for both Jews and Christians.  “Telling the Gospel Truth” is about getting our passion clear – with both power and integrity.

Our interactive sessions will feature two world-class presenters. Dr. Cook will look closely at Mark’s Passion story and wrestle with what lies at its heart.  What can we know of “what really happened?”  Why does Mark tell it as he does – and differently from others?  What is “the gospel truth” that we must tell?

Dr. Boys will focus on the challenge of teaching the Passion narratives.  How can we pastorally help our parishioners to understand what is important in this story and in its telling?  What are the best ways to tell it, so people hear first its gospel truth?  How can we evaluate various presentations, such as Gibson’s?

And we will have ample opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and compare notes with colleagues – all to serve the passionate presentation of the gospel truth, and a truthful presentation of the gospels’ Passion.

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Workshop Leaders

Prof. Mary C. Boys, SNJM, Ph.D., is Skinner & McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology at Union Theological Seminary, NYC.  She is the author of Has God Only One Blessing? Judaism as a Source of Christian Self-Understanding and co-director, of the project, Educating for Religious Particularism and Pluralism.  With Sara Lee of Hebrew Union College, Dr. Boys is a master teacher, leading workshops across the country and lecturing both in North America and abroad.  She is an advisor to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs.

Prof. Michael J. Cook, Ph.D., is Professor of Intertestamental and Christian Literatures and holds the Sol and Arlene Bronstein Professorship in Judaeo-Christian Studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati.  He is the author of numerous articles in the field of Christian-Jewish relations and is a renowned speaker and teacher.  Rabbi Cook has been featured in the video, Missionary Impossible, and has taught recently in the Lehigh Valley on several occasions.  Together with Dr. Boys, he was among the group of nine scholars who first read and responded to the script of Mel Gibson’s film in the spring of 2003.

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The registration fee is $45.00; $50.00 with Continuing Education credit of .5 CEU (5 contact hours).  
Continental breakfast and buffet lunch is included in the fee; copies of Dr. Boys’ book will be available for purchase.  
IJCU members are welcome to use one of their program fee coupons in partial payment.

Telling the Gospel Truth:
The Challenge of Passion Presentations
Moyer Hall, Miller Forum
Muhlenberg College Campus
Wednesday, January 28, 2004

PROGRAM
 Morning Session

8:30 a.m.      Registration and continental breakfast            
9:00 a.m.      Introductions: Institute Director, Peter Pettit
9:15 a.m.      "The Gospel Truth: Mark and the Story of Jesus' Passion"           
10:45 a.m.      Break                                                           
11:00 a.m.       "Telling the Truth: Jesus' Passion and Our Passions"                       Dr. Mary Boys          
Noon               LUNCH                    

Afternoon Session

12:45 p.m.     Continuing discussion with Dr. Boys             
1:15 p.m.        Concluding conversation with Dr. Boys and Dr. Cook              
2:00 p.m.       Adjournment                              

Muhlenberg College is located on Chew Street between 23rd and 26th Streets
in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  Moyer Hall is located next to Egner Memorial Chapel
on the campus.  Be sure to allow ample time to located on-street parking.

  Registration Form

      INSTITUTE FOR JEWISH-CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING
       Muhlenberg College
          2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104
              484-664-3470 (phone); 484-664-5627 (fax)

Name __________________________________________________________________

Congregation ____________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________

E-mail _________________________________ Telephone _______________________

o Check enclosed for $45 for Pre-Lent Workshop registration.
o Check enclosed for $50 for registration with Continuing Education certificate
    (five [5] credit hours)

            Continental breakfast and buffet lunch included.    

Make check payable to:  Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding (IJCU)

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