Have you ever considered why so many Christians, churches and denominations act in un-Christian ways? Why, in fact, their beliefs, worldview, and actions seem more to favor the spiritual forces of darkness than the children of light?

Have you ever considered why so many Christians, churches and denominations act in un-Christian ways? Why, in fact, their beliefs, worldview, and actions seem more to favor the spiritual forces of darkness than the children of light?

Author Wayne Lavender, a United Methodist pastor currently serving as the executive director of the Foundation 4 Orphans and political science professor at the University of Connecticut and Quinnipiac University, has developed a new and bold theory. His theory holds that the Roman Emperor Constantine I (c 272 – 337) did not “shift” Christianity, as Mennonite scholar Howard Yoder popularized, but created a new religion. This new religion, identified by Lavender as “Imperial Christianity,” differs so radically from the vision and religion of Jesus that it must be considered a new religion. It is that simple.

Imperial Christianity differs from the religion Jesus established in four specific areas: their differences in how they understand 1) war and peace, 2) wealth and resources, 3) persecution and suffering, and 4) the merger of church and state.

Join us for this enlightening and controversial discussion led by this maverick pastor, professor, executive director, and author.