Join us over two consecutive Saturdays January 3 and 10, 2026 at 8:00 AM - Noon PDT as Father John Behr and the OTC panel address seminal thoughts from his new book, In Accordance with the Scriptures. The discussion will explore the ideas that have influenced what we believe about God and then seek to forge a better path to shaping our perspectives.
Price
with Digital Book: $114 per person +fee
with Physical Book: $119 per person +fee
includes
Admission to both days of the Seminar
Unlimited access to the video recordings of the entire event
A downloadable audio-only file of the entire event
Handouts and other materials
A copy, either physical or digital, of Father John's new book, In Accordance with the Scriptures, which he dedicated to the Open Table panel!
When
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Saturday, January 10, 2026
8a-12p PDT
How often
Two consecutive Saturdays.
About the Class
Those who are familiar with Father John through his years teaching with us know that this online event will surely be instructive and provocative - many of our assumptions will be challenged.
More importantly, our primary aim is that this seminar will be transformative by helping us create a broader and healthier perspective of our view of God and the cosmos.
Some may find his book a bit on the "heavy" side academically, but the beauty of the seminar is that we have the author to explain and discuss his thoughts with a panel of people you have come to know and trust.
However, I would submit that these 4 chapters are monumental and offer fresh insights from Father John's life work of seeking to recover the perspectives of the early Church Fathers. Far from being simply an academic exercise, the way we think about Scripture, History, God, and especially the Lord Jesus will never be the same!
Don't miss out on this amazing event that will surely spark some thought-provoking conversations that help us think more clearly and love more deeply. Mark your calendars for a great beginning to the New Year. See you there!
Timezone: Pacific Time (PDT)
**We have arranged a special discount with the publisher of In Accordance with the Scriptures and all of the book sales for this seminar will go to Father John as royalties.**
**If you purchase a ticket that includes a physical copy of Father John's book, please be sure to include the address of where you want it delivered and we will ship it to you.**
**If you purchase a ticket that includes the digital version, we will email you the publisher's link where you can download the book.**
the panel
Fr John Behr, Julie Canlis, Chris Green, Brad Jersak, John MacMurray, Cherith Nordling, Kenneth Tanner, Paul Young, and Brian Zahnd. Hover over the images below to read a short bio.
Fr John Behr
Fr. John Behr is the Regius Professor of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen, previously having been at St Vladimir’s Seminary, New York, where he also served as Dean. His publications include an edition and translation of Origen’s On First Principles and a study of the Gospel of John.
Cherith Nordling
Cherith is a theologian, writer, and mentor in Christian formation with a Ph. D. from the University of St. Andrews. Most recently she served as Associate Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. She also taught for five years at Calvin College and Seminary while serving as Co-Director of Christian Formation with her husband, Robert. She has taught as adjunct professor at numerous other institutions and continues as a seasonal lecturer for Regent College, Vancouver, BC and for the YWAM Masters Program in Christian Formation.
Brian Zahnd
Brian is the lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he and his wife Peri founded in 1981. He is the author of several books including “Water to Wine”, “Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God”, and “Postcards from Babylon.” His favorite activity is spending time with their three sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren.
Kenneth Tanner
Kenneth is pastor of Church of the Holy Redeemer in Rochester Hills, Michigan, where he lives with his wife and seven children. His writing has appeared in “Books & Culture”, “Huffington Post”, “Sojourners”, “National Review”, “Christianity Today”, “Behemoth”, and “Real Clear Religion.”
Dr. Brad Jersak
Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, Canada. He is editor-in-chief of “Christianity Without the Religion” magazine and teaches at Westminster Theological Centre. He is also the author of over a dozen books, including “Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks” and “A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel.”
Julie Canlis
Julie is married to Matt, stays at home with their four children, and teaches Sunday School for 11-13 year olds. She likes her food slow, and her church slower. Along with Matt, she has been instrumental in the writing of the small group curriculum for Godspeed to help churches translate the Scottish documentary onto their own soil. In addition to the above, Julie teaches at Whitworth University, published her PhD as Calvin’s Ladder: A Spiritual Theology of Ascent and Ascension (Templeton Prize; Christianity Today Award of Merit), and most recently, A Theology of the Ordinary.
Chris E.W. Green
Chris is Professor of Public Theology at Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL), Director of St Anthony Institute for Theology and Philosophy, and Teaching Pastor at Sanctuary Church (Tulsa, OK). He and his wife Julie live in Tulsa with their kids, Zoë, Clive, and Emery. Chris has written extensively, his most recent book being the revised edition of Sanctifying Interpretation: Vocation, Holiness, Scripture.
John MacMurray
John is the founder and director of the Northwest School of Theology and the Open Table Conferences. Formerly an adjunct professor in Bible Literature, he now speaks internationally, and writes. His books include “A Spiritual Evolution” and “Father Fiction” (co-written with Donald Miller). He is also a landscape nature photographer, published in National Geographic, Sierra Club, and Audubon.
Schedule
The schedule is organized by the four (4) chapters in Father John's book.
Saturday, January 3, 2026 - Part I
8:00-9:30 — Chapter 1
Presentation - Father John Behr
Response - Chris Green
Discussion - Open Table Panel
9:30-10:30— Break
10:30-12:00 Noon— Chapter 2
Presentation - Father John Behr
Response - Cherith Nordling
Discussion - Open Table Panel
Saturday, January 10, 2026 - Part II
8:00-9:30 — Chapter 3
Presentation - Father John Behr
Response - Brad Jersak
Discussion - Open Table Panel
9:30-10:30— Break
10:30-12:00 Noon— Chapter 4
Presentation - Father John Behr
Response - Kenneth Tanner
Discussion - Open Table Panel
FAQs
When does registration for the class close?
January 3, 2026 at midnight Pacific Time.
Do I have to be online for the entire webinar?
No, every session will be recorded. However, we suggest you try to tune in to as many live sessions as possible.
When will I receive the link to the webinar?
You will receive your links to the live Zoom webinar and the Vimeo folder where the video recordings will be stored within 24 hours before the start of the event. You will also receive reminders of the event. **Do not try and enter the Zoom meeting from the link on Eventbrite. Please use the link you receive in an email from us within 24 hours of the first class.**
How do I access the video recordings?
Within 48 hours after the end of the first Saturday the sessions will be uploaded to Vimeo where we store the entire recording of the event. This link is permanent - it will not change.
Is the fee per household?
No. The registration fee is per person.
Do you have a schedule?
The schedule is posted above.
Can we ask questions during the sessions?
Yes, this is interactive. Participants will be able to submit questions through Zoom’s Q&A function during each discussion session. The chat button will also be activated for the questions and comments the final 30 minutes.
Online Class
We are using Zoom
Zoom video conference software has quickly become one of the number one ways to connect people, either for personal or business use, during this world-wide crisis. We will be using Zoom to bring the class to you live, and we will be recording every class so you can watch it all again later.
Zoom is free to use. Click the link below to learn more.