Instructors: Drew Knowles and Mark Brians

On the night that He is betrayed, knowing the Father had put all things into His hands, Jesus does not do the things we might expect Him to do with all the power and authority given to Him in His hour of glory. There is no staged coup d’état, no storming of Herod’s palace, no grand displays of military power. Instead, He lays a table, washes feet, breaks bread, serves wine, and shares a meal with His disciples. He is, in His final moments, the Lord of Hospitality.

But it is not only then that Jesus’ kingly hospitality is revealed; hospitality marks His entire ministry. He eats and drinks with sinners, multiplies food in the wilderness, plays both host and guest in drawing all the world to Himself as the Lord of the Table. This is who Jesus is because it is who Yahweh is. Yahweh is the Great Host who invites us into His story, feeds us at His table, supplies our needs, and sends us out to proclaim the goodness of His Kingdom.

Increasingly, however, our culture grows more inhospitable. Even as the Food and Hospitality Industry explode, and while we see more political efforts to be “inclusive”, we are less likely to open our homes to others and less likely to gather for the breaking of bread. We believe the Lord of Hospitality has the great and holy remedy for our time.

This course consists of two movements. The first builds a biblical theology of hospitality, and the second examines the practical application of that theology in the life of the local church. We will explore the hospitality of God, the hospitality of His Kingdom, and the role Christians have to play in extending that hospitality into the world.

This course will be held at Third Presbyterian Church, located at 617 22nd St S, Birmingham, AL 35233.

Theopolis Institute admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies or scholarship programs.

*This requirement was added in July 2016. For those who entered the Certificate Program earlier than that date, the oral examination is voluntary.