The Seminary Explores

Recorded before a live audience at St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg PA,  Dr. Christianson disusses with Kristin Rice how her office is a ministry as well as an essential public service, balancing justice with a fair trial and compassion. Publically financed defenders were established as late as the 1963 when the Supreme Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees legal counsel to poor defendants in criminal cases. She believes that the next frontier in her field must be the improvement of mental health services, and she continues her opposition to the death penalty.

Dr. Christianson talks to Stephen Niebler, Executive Director, Adams County Council for Aging about important issues around aging.  How to avoid family conflicts over the right to die as in the cases of Casey Kasem or Terri Schiavo. What to do when you suspect abuse of an older person-- financial, physical, or emotional. The most important local issues that impact on the aging:  transportation, housing, trying to understand complicated forms—in health, banking, Social Security, etc.

Seminarian Lamar Bailey describes his background in public policy to Dr. Largen, and offers a compelling argument for the church to be more involved in the world:  “being a member of a congregation also means being a member of the community.”

Dr. Christian speaks with Kate Michelman, past President of Pro-Choice America and author, With Liberty and Justice for All.  She believes that a woman’s reproductive rights are fundamental but that these rights suffer more restrictions today than at any time since the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade. Some progress is evident in wages and career opportunities for women, but far short of the goal of total equality.

Dr. Strobert talks with Dr. Charles Brown, Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics at Payne Theological Seminary about the background, work and continuing legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.