Pastorum Live Conference Explores How Christians Fit in Bible's Grand Narrative
Participants of the Pastorum Live conference held June 5-6 in Chicago will have the opportunity to learn from some of the nation's top biblical scholars how they as Christians fit within the Bible's grand narrative.
In the 21 sessions held over two days, attendees can learn more about some of the major themes found in scripture. Topics include the Dead Sea Scrolls, interpreting the Bible out of context, the Sermon on the Mount, using biblical Greek, Jesus' parables in Luke, and Ephesians as a manifesto for the Church.
The idea for the conference flowed from a book by Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen called, The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story.
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Many Christians today do not understand "God's grand narrative," Pete Heiniger, the director and organizer of the conference, told The Christian Post on Tuesday. He said the primary goal of the conference to help Christians understand the big picture themes that course through scripture and how that understanding informs a Christian's place in the world.
Among the presenters is Dr. Mike Goheen, Geneva professor of worldview and religious studies at Trinity Western University. At the conference, he will discuss how to use scripture to equip the Church for its mission.
"I'm always asking the question, 'How will this scripture equip the people of God to live more faithfully in the biblical story and to understand the Western story in which they're living?'" Goheen explained in a video on the Logos blog.
Heiniger said his goal was to invite accomplished evangelical scholars who can provide a depth of knowledge about scripture rather than some of the more typical evangelical speakers found at other conferences. He also chose scholars that would represent a broad range of evangelical thought.
Other presenters include Dr. Pete Enns, Dr. Craig Evans and Dr. John Walton. Enns has written 14 books, including Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament and The Evolution of Adam: What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say About Human Origins. Evans founded the Dead Sea Scrolls Institute, served as a consultant for the National Geographic Society and has written or edited more than 60 books. Walton is the general editor of the 20-volume Baker Commentary series.
While the conference name suggests that pastors are the primary audience for the conference, Heiniger hopes it will appeal to anyone who desires to deepen their understanding of scripture. All the sessions will be digitally recorded for audio and video and made available on the conference website at a future date.
The conference, held at Park Community Church, is presented by Logos Bible Software, a company that makes computer programs to help both theologians and laypersons study scripture. This will be the first Pastorum Live conference and plans are underway to make it a yearly event.
The conference costs $149, but there are discounts available for couples, church staffers and students.
