Being Presbyterian in a Dysvangelical America
A Guide to Reclaiming the Good News of God’s Grace
Event Details
- Dates: Wednesdays, September 2 – October 14 (7 weeks)
- Time: 1:00 pm
- Location: In person in the second-floor conference room of the office building next to the sanctuary at Providence Presbyterian Church, or join via Zoom
- Offered by: Providence Presbyterian Church and Sardis Presbyterian Church
Taught By
- Rev. Dr. Jody Moore, Providence Presbyterian Church
- Rev. Dr. Lal Rodawla, Providence Presbyterian Church
- Rev. Dr. Joe B. Martin, Sardis Presbyterian Church
- Rev. Dr. Allysen Schaaf, Sardis Presbyterian Church
About the Class
This seven-week class is based on Being Presbyterian in a Dysvangelical America: A Guide to Reclaiming the Good News of God’s Grace by Ted Foote and Alex Thornburg. The book seeks to define positively what we believe as Presbyterians, to share with a wider culture that is desperate to hear some good news. It identifies three core Presbyterian beliefs:
- God’s grace and the claims of God’s grace are the primary characteristic of God’s interactions with the world.
- When we experience this unmerited grace, we live in gratitude and awe.
- Community is central for our shared human well-being.
Foote and Thornburg coined the word “dysvangelical” as a play on “evangelical” — which means sharing good news — with the prefix “dys” describing how the gospel has, at times, been turned into something distorted, dysfunctional, dystopian, and even dangerous.
Throughout the book, participants will explore how faith leads us to interact with the world, what it means to seek the kingdom (or kin-dom) of God, how we’re called to humility and openness, how Presbyterians have changed their minds over time on questions like evolution, women’s ordination, and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ siblings, and what it means to be involved in public life — including a discussion of Christian nationalism.
Class Schedule
| Date | Chapter(s) & Topic | Teacher |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 2 | Intro & Ch. 1 — “Grace Is Our Word” / “The Bible Is Authoritative, Not Literal” | Rev. Dr. Joe B. Martin |
| Sept 9 | Ch. 2 — “Faith and Salvation Are Gifts, Not Transactions” | Rev. Dr. Lal Rodawla |
| Sept 16 | Ch. 3 & 4 — “Discipleship Is a Lifelong Conversion, Not a Rule Book” / “Shaped for Community, Not for Individuality” | Rev. Dr. Jody Moore |
| Sept 23 | Ch. 5 — “The Future Is Hopeful, Not Something to Fear” | Rev. Dr. Lal Rodawla |
| Sept 30 | Ch. 6 — “God’s Truth Is Evolving, Not Stagnant” | Rev. Dr. Allysen Schaaf |
| Oct 7 | Ch. 7 — “Presbyterians Are Reformed, and Always Reforming” | Rev. Dr. Allysen Schaaf |
| Oct 14 | Ch. 8 & Conclusion — “Democracy (Not Authoritarianism) Is the Presbyterian Way” / “Grace Is Our Resistance” | Rev. Dr. Jody Moore |
Join Us
Whether you attend in person, join by Zoom, or catch up later with the recordings, all are welcome — no advance reading required.