Embrace: The Drama of Exclusion

We’ve been asked recently for more about the theology of inclusion. We have already looked at Jesus’ approach in the A Bigger Table teaching series, so this series will build on it using the classic book Exclusion and Embrace by Miroslav Volf.

Volf explores how Christian faith speaks to the deep divisions in our world—ethnic conflict, personal alienation, and social fragmentation. Writing out of the trauma of the Yugoslav wars, Volf addresses how followers of Christ can live faithfully in a world marked by violence, exclusion, and "the other." The central thesis is that embrace, not exclusion, is the shape of God’s love and the model for Christian engagement with others—even enemies. Christians must extend the same grace and welcome to others that God has extended to them through Christ.

Preaching Dates

• 07 Sep - The Drama of Exclusion - Genesis 4:1–16; Ephesians 2:11–22

• 21 Sep - God’s Embrace of the Other - Luke 15:11–32; Romans 5:6–11 

• 05 Oct - The Cross as the Space of Embrace - 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; Philippians 2:5–11

• 19 Oct - The Will to Embrace - Identity Transformed - Galatians 3:26–29; Colossians 3:9–15

• 02 Nov - Forgiveness, Memory, and Justice - Matthew 18:21–35; Micah 6:6–8

• 16 Nov - Living the Embrace - Revelation 7:9–17; John 17:20–23