The Public Life of the People of Christ

The people of Christ can be found in schools, government, entertainment, and of course, on social media. With the world watching and often waiting for answers, we need a robust biblical theology for guiding how we participate in public life. We invite you to explore some of your own questions and discern how the letter to the Philippians continues to speak to these issues in your life today.

Paul writes his letter to the Philippians from prison and isn’t sure whether he will be executed or released. Nonetheless, the Epistle is known for the joyous outlook that Paul communicates to his readers. We will enter into this world where the ‘private walk with Christ’ meets with the ‘calling for public engagement’ with the outside world.

‘The Public Life of the People of Christ’ was a live webcast originally recorded over five days from 15-19 February 2021. Prof. N.T. Wright delivered this series of 10 lectures from his home near St. Andrews—whilst in the process of moving house from Scotland to England.

Several hundred people around the world attended daily, representing more than 15 countries across six continents. Each video contains approximately 45 minutes of teaching by Prof. Wright, followed by daily sessions of live questions and answers. The Q&A time features a different host every day who moderated the session and selected questions from various participants during the live event.

Additional features of this course are Practice Exercises following each session and the provision of the transcripts of all sessions and daily Q&A sessions.

About the Hosts

Dr. David Seemuth has been an Adjunct Professor at Trinity International University for over 30 years and teaches in the area of Biblical Studies, specializing in the New Testament. He also served as an Associate Pastor at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI for 31 years. He is the president and founder of the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies. He and Prof. Wright work closely together to produce online courses for N.T. Wright Online. He will be your co-instructor for this course.

Peggy Wehmeyer covered religion and culture for ABC News for 7 years, with award winning stories appearing on World News Tonight, 20/20 and Good Morning America. Before that, she reported and anchored for the ABC News affiliate in Dallas. For more than 20 years, Peggy criss-crossed the country, interviewing presidents and faith leaders, analyzing how religion intersects with American life.

After her tenure in television reporting, Peggy spent eight years with the non-profit NGO World Vision, serving as host and managing editor of their award winning radio show on justice and poverty.Peggy is currently writing Op-ed columns from her hometown of Dallas, Texas. Her pieces have been published in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and The Dallas Morning News.

Dr. Dee Stokes is a spiritual advisor, speaker, coach, author, and educator who is known as a program builder. Dr. Stokes utilizes her apostolic gift to repurpose organizations and build influential people who change the world and live out the Gospel practically. Dr. Stokes ministers in a variety of settings, but her passion is preaching, teaching, and empowering others to WIN! Dr. Stokes believes every Christ follower should be involved in their community and as such, she is heavily involved in the city of Thomasville, NC serving on numerous boards including the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education.

Dr. Dee serves on the teaching/preaching team at Christ Wesleyan Church, Greensboro, NC. She is President/CEO of a cross-cultural non-profit ministry: Dee Stokes Ministries, Inc. Owns a consulting firm and does leadership development in the areas of cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, and burnout. Dr. Stokes is also a part of a Luther Seminary Faith + Lead innovation team. She participates as a mentor/coach and curriculum developer for a ministry innovator fellowship called The Seeds Project. Dr. Stokes is also on the Fresh Expressions US staff as the Director of Cultural Intelligence & Trainer.

Frans Olivier is husband to Deb and father to Titus, Ethan and Ruth. Having obtained a Masters in Global Leadership and a Post Graduate Certificate in Theology from Fuller Seminary, Frans now serves as European Director for Evangelism for Every Nation Ministries. The core focus for Frans’ ministry is summed up in the acronym AIM. (1) Activate believers to share their faith (2) Identify church-based-evangelists (3) Mobilise churches in mission.

Jennifer Loop is the Lead Content Developer for the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies. Currently, she is working towards her doctorate in the study of practical theology, centering her research on how forgiveness is understood and practiced by survivors of child sexual abuse. Jennifer has served as a leader in Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-step recovery program. She is married to Gary and they live in West Bend with their twenty-year-old cat, Caleb.

Who this course is for:

• For anyone interested in entering into the biblical world to explore how God’s Word continues to speak into our lives and contemporary culture.
• For those who are curious about where their ‘private walk with Christ’ meets with the ‘calling for public engagement’ with the outside world.
• For students, Bible teachers, preachers, clergy, or lay leaders who want to dig deeper into Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
• For anyone who desires to learn more about biblical theology and practical theology.
• For people who want to think deeply about current events and civic issues and what Scripture can teach us for today.