Complicated History and a Future for Justice

In a time where injustice and corruption seems to have an upper hand, where justice movements and progressive programs seem ineffective against the powers of violence, can history be a guide for us? Dr. Henry Kuo examines not only the historical roots of some injustices today but raises possibilities that these same roots can lead to strategies for justice work in the present. To do so, he looks at three historical figures who are part of the Reformed and United Church of Christ lineage: Augustine of Hippo, John Calvin, and Reinhold Niebuhr (Eden 1913).

Part 1: Augustine of Hippo: Love and Empire

Part 2: John Calvin: Grace and Punishment

Part 3: Reinhold Niebuhr: Real Strategy for an Ideal Future

Cohort facilitated by Rev. Robb McCoy

 

Robb McCoy is the pastor of Two Rivers United Methodist Church in Rock Island, Illinois. He is the founding organizer of the Affirming Congregations of the Quad Cities, a group of open and affirming congregations in the area that cooperate with advocacy and worship events. He serves the community as commissioner of the Rock Island Housing Authority and a board member of The Project of the Quad Cities, a local leader in LGBTQ health services. He is a co-producer of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast and writes liturgy, Biblical commentary, and personal reflections as The Fat Pastor. He graduated from Eden Theological Seminary in 2006 and was a history major at Illinois Wesleyan University ('99)

Content created by Dr. Henry Kuo

Henry Kuo is Eden Seminary’s Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Interim Academic Dean. He has published in journals and lectured around the world at conferences such as the American Academy of Religion’s annual meeting and the Ecclesiological Investigations International Research Network. He is also the dean of the 2025 Global Institute of Theology of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over the past two years, he was moderator of the WCRC’s ecumenical and interreligious working group.

Ministry Cohorts

Ministry Cohorts allow you to sample many theological themes, offering peer learning with your ministry context in mind. Scholars have chosen a specific lens on a particular topic and share their expertise through digital content you watch on your own time. Four monthly online meetings are interspersed, where you and your Cohort members gather for facilitated discussion with an experienced church leader.

Cohorts support lifelong learning and are for anyone- authorized clergy, chaplains, Christian educators, lay leaders and anyone interested in the topic. UCC members will recognize the Marks for Ministry woven throughout the cohorts, though anyone from any denomination, or no denomination, is welcome to attend.

Completion of this Ministry Cohort provides 9 contact hours of continuing education, subject to approval by the participant's credentialing body.