In Chains with the Gospel: Theologians in the U.S. Prison System

Reformed Theological Seminary

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In Chains with the Gospel: Theologians in the U.S. Prison System

Edmiston Center RTS Atlanta

March 6, 2023 • Dr. Thad James, Jr.

In this talk titled “In Chains with the Gospel: Theologians in the US Prison System” — part of the Edmiston Center’s Grimké Lecture Series at RTS Atlanta — Dr. Thad James, Jr. of Birmingham Theological Seminar examines the practicalities and joys of taking seminary education to these hidden places, where God is raising up a new generation of leaders and theologians.

Dr. Thad James, Jr. (PhD, Trinity Theological Seminary) is the Director of the BTS Prison Initiative at Bibb County Correctional Facility, and president of the board of JUMSTART AL. He has served as Vice President at Birmingham Theological Seminary since 2003.

Hope Ain't a Hustle

October 30, 2023 • Dr. Irwyn Ince

As Christians, we often respond to the brokenness of life as if we do not actually have hope—as if the promises of God are not really certain. But in this lecture at http://rts.edu/campuses/atlanta, part of the http://edmistoncenter.org/‘s Grimké Lecture Series, Dr. Irwyn Ince assures us that not only do we have hope, but that hope cannot disappoint us because it is validated by God himself. “Hope Ain’t a Hustle” is a clear and accessible exploration of the epistle to the Hebrews, urging us to place our confidence in the finished work of our great high priest, Jesus Christ, and showing how that confidence changes the way we live in the here and now.

Purposeful Suffering

October 16, 2023 • Rev. Zecharias Weldeyesus

Rev. Zecharias Weldeyesus gives a lecture entitled “Purposeful Suffering” as part of the http://edmistoncenter.org/‘s Grimké Lecture Series at http://rts.edu/campuses/atlanta.

World of Hurt, World of Hope

March 20, 2023 • Knox Thames

In this talk “World of Hurt, Word of Hope,” part of the Edmiston Center’s Grimké Lecture Series at RTS Atlanta, speaker Knox Thames — examines why religious freedom is important in a just society, and why persecuted religious communities are overlooked in so many of our modern American justice conversations. Knox Thames is an American human rights lawyer, advocate, and author who has dedicated his career to promoting religious freedom abroad and the rights of religious minorities. Over his 20 years of service in the U.S. government, he held several key positions advocating for freedom of religion or belief, including at the State Department and two different U.S. government foreign policy commissions. In April 2023, he will join Pepperdine University as a Senior Fellow and will direct the new program on Global Faith and Inclusive Societies. In addition, he is a senior visiting expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace with the Middle East and Religion and Inclusive Societies teams.