BIO-A01 Introduction to Radical Discipleship
Abbreviated Syllabus for Information Only
Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries
Oak View, California
www.bcm-net.org
www.chedmyers.org
Version 1.3: 7/15/2016
BIO-A01: Introduction to Radical Discipleship
This document will provide you with an outline of BIO-A01, which consists of webinars, videos, articles,
Discussion Questions and other material. The class is divided into four ‘week-modules’ to be worked
through at your own pace. Study groups can be organized. Note: If you wish to be part of a cohort to
journey through the entire BIO course (five classes and two Institutes) over the course of 8 months,
contact Chris Wight.
Overview
This class:
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Explains the meaning of radical and argues that discipleship presents a critical, constructive and
practical alternative to the prevailing paradigms of faith in the First World context.
Presents several Bible studies probing the roots of the discipleship tradition in the New Testament.
Overviews some key theological concepts of a radical approach.
Looks at personalities and practices of contemporary Radical Discipleship communities.
Each of the four modules requires 3-4 hours of viewing/listening/reading time, not including discussion.
“Week 5” Online Forum & Evaluation
A “week five” live online review and discussion forum is available to those who have undertaken the
class, led by Ched Myers and/or Elaine Enns.
Additional Reading (list included in Participant Syllabus)
BIO-A01 Introduction to Radical Discipleship
Week 1: Introduction to Radical Discipleship
1.1 “What Do We Mean by ‘Radical Discipleship’? Anatomy of a Movement.” Recorded
Webinar 8/18/15. Ched Myers overviews the gospel call to follow Jesus: looking at the first
disciples in Mark; examining the word radical; commending discipleship as the biblical
alternative to decisionist, dogmatic and denominationalist definitions of faith; and
overviewing some individuals, communities and movements that have embodied this
vocation in our contemporary First World context. (1hr 30min).
1.2 “A ‘Genealogy’ of Radical Discipleship.” Link to blog, 2/18/15. Ched opened the 2015
Festival of Radical Discipleship in Oak View, CA with this ‘rant’ that sketches the deep
history of “movement faith.” (3 pp)
1.3 “Hope is Where Your Ass Is: A Catechism on Incarnation.” Audio recording of a talk at
Greenbelt, U.K., August, 2007. We experience many calls to discipleship throughout our
lives. Ched shares a hilarious and moving story of how he encountered a compelling
catechism on faith from Phil Berrigan in a dumpster in 1976. (52 min)
1.4 “Beyond the ‘Addict's Excuse’: Sin, Public Addiction and Ecclesial Recovery.” Link to 2001
article. Ched examines addiction and recovery as the best contemporary analogy in our
First World imperial context for the theological categories of sin and redemption, both
personal and political. (23 pp)
Week 1 Study/Discussion Questions (included in Participant Syllabus)
Week 2: Key Biblical Concepts Undergirding Radical Discipleship
2.1 “Jesus’ Wilderness Temptations as ‘Vision Quest’.” Recorded Webinar, 2/12/13. An
introduction to the three major issues of Kingdom identity: economic fidelity, political
sobriety and spiritual centeredness. Ched interprets Luke 4:1-13 through the lens of an
indigenous “vision quest” to see how Jesus retraced the footsteps of his ancestors to find
out where they had gone wrong. How might we do the same? (1hr 29 min)
2.2 “Stories to Live By: Reading the Bible in the New Millennium.” Link to article from
Sojourners magazine, March-April 2000. Ched argues for a “post-modern traditionalism” in
which we embrace the old, wise stories of scripture to guide our journey to freedom amidst
the violence and injustice of empire. (7 pp)
2.3 “Jesus as a Re-enactor of the Biblical Prophetic Tradition.” Link to audio of Ched's talk at a
Call to Action Conference, Sacramento, CA, 4/2/05). How Jesus re-contextualized the legacy
of Elijah, Isaiah et al in his time—and how we can in ours. (1hr 14min).
Week 2 Study/Discussion Questions (included in Participant Syllabus)
© Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries, 2016
www.bcm-net.org
www.chedmyers.org
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BIO-A01 Introduction to Radical Discipleship
Week 3: Toward “Kingian” Faith and Practice
3.1 “Easter Faith and Empire: Recovering the Prophetic Tradition on the Emmaus Road.” Link
to 2006 chapter. Luke’s poignant Emmaus Road story has been “chocolate-coated” in
churchly Easter traditions. Ched recovers the remarkable politics and theology embedded
in this account of the church’s first Bible study, and correlates them with Martin Luther
King's assassination. (12 pp)
3.2 “Following Jesus in the Way of King: Joyce and Nelson Johnson.” Recorded Webinar,
1/16/13. Ched explores what it might mean for U.S. Christians to recalibrate their faith and
practice through the lens of Martin Luther King, Jr. Then he interviews Joyce and Nelson
Johnson of the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, NC, mentors whose life and work
embody the spirit of King today. (1hr 52min)
3.3 “How Dr. King has Shaped Our Lives”: Murphy Davis and Ed Loring. Recorded Webinar,
1/14/14. Ched interviews the founders of the Open Door Community in Atlanta, GA, two
Presbyterian ministers who are on the forefront of the movement to embrace a “Kingian”
understanding of faith and practice. (1hr 38min)
Week 3 Study/Discussion Questions (included in Participant Syllabus)
Week 4: Reflections on and by Contemporary Radical Disciples
4.1 “A Visit with Jeff Dietrich of the Los Angeles Catholic Worker.” Recorded webinar,
8/26/14. Ched interviews a venerable elder about his history with the Catholic Worker
movement, and the work of the Los Angeles Worker and its sister houses (1hr 39min).
4.2 “Getting in the Way: Christian Peacemaker Teams.” Recorded webinar, 2/11/2014. CPT
leaders Tim Nafziger and Sarah Thompson overview this movement’s nonviolent efforts to
“get in the way” of violence and injustice, and look at steps CPT has taken to identify
inequalities within the organization (1hr 43min).
4.3 “Liberation Theology & Radical Christianity.” Dr. Christopher Rowland. Link to YouTube
video, 1/12/2012. Rowland, one of the foremost historians of Radical Discipleship, presents
elements of his book Radical Christian Writings: A Reader Wiley-Blackwell, 2002. (25 min).
Week 4 Study/Discussion Questions (included in Participant Syllabus)
© Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries, 2016
www.bcm-net.org
www.chedmyers.org
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