Peace and Justice Support Network Bible Study

Rev. Dr. Linda Mercadante, B. Robert Straker chair of theology at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio, will present two sessions of Bible study on “Humans Create Scapegoats, God Does Not: Nonviolent Atonement Theory.” Many Christians understand Jesus’ death in such ways as God substituting a sinless Christ for a sinful humanity, the result of what evil does to good, basic human injustice, an example of moral purity and/or our role model for a Christian life of sacrifice. But there are other ways as well. Modern work on the concept of “scapegoating” reveals additional insights which put Christ’s life and death in a broader context. This work, when applied to biblical exegesis, gives us a depth perspective into human violence and God’s redemption. Looking at the arbitrary scapegoating in the Barabas story as well as what it means that “God was in Christ” provides a different “take” on the violence of the cross.

• Wednesday, 6:30 to 8 p.m.; Friday, 6:30 to 8p.m.
• Location: E151