After three months of lockdown, the restrictions and limitations concerning social reality are beginning to be eased in Poland. Obviously, there are still rules regulating one’s presence when shopping in stores, going to offices, etc. but the restrictions have lessened to some extent. Masks are no longer required when outside but social distancing is still encouraged.
On June 13, Professor Wojciech Szczerba, the Rector of Evangelical School of Theology, was invited to one of the big churches in Wroclaw to participate in a series of lectures within the curriculum of “The Ministry School”. His lecture was entitled “Between the Temple and the Academy – Christianity of the First Centuries”.
The lecture touched upon the issues of Christianity stemming from the Semitic culture – Jesus and the apostles were Jews. The Jewish origin was the way of functioning of the first Christian community. The so-called apostolic teaching also referred to Jewish concepts. And yet, the process of Christianity’s departure from Semitic roots began very early. The first traces of these changes can be seen already in the middle of the 1st century. The result may be the early, “mixed” communities or the decisions of the apostolic circle concerning the situation of Gentiles converting to Christianity. Not only the language of the message, but also the ways of interpreting the holy books and the tools of evangelization became more and more Greek with time. Christianity accepted the invitation of Plato’s Academy and… never completely left it. What is Christianity today? The promotion of the teachings of Jesus or Plato? Is it possible to return to the Semitic roots? Or maybe Christianity, in its nature, has an extraordinary ability to adapt to the cultures in which it exists and this potential should be used? The Greek Christianity of the Middle Ages? The Oriental Renaissance? Rational Enlightenment? The 20th century existentialism? Postmodern turn-of-the-century Christianity? All of these questions and issues were explained in detail during the lecture.
On the same day, there was an online lecture by Professor Piotr Lorek, the Dean of Evangelical School of Theology. The lecture was entitled “The Fact and Meaning of Jesus Christ’s Death Described in the New Testament” and it was dedicated to the church in Wloclawek. However, the audience included participants from several other churches in Poland and included individuals from churches in Lodz, Gdansk, Olsztyn, Torun. The lecture focused on the importance of Jesus’ death for us personally from the perspective of the four Gospels. It answered the question whether it was a sacrifice symbolizing love and devotion and showing us how to live.
Also, Marek Kucharski, Chancellor of EST, talked with Brandon Barnard, a teaching pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. This discussion is part of a series related to the church and new challenges called ‘new normal for the mission of the church’. Here is the interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/x69VZeaB76A
Please pray for:
- The safety of EST students, EST staff and lecturers who are beginning their summer holidays. Let the summer holidays be a time of strengthening and refreshing in all aspects of their lives.
- New students in the academic year 2020/2021 at Evangelical School of Theology. Let the recruitment work go smoothly and be as effective as possible.
- EST partners and supporters. Let their generosity and open hearts be rewarded.