The Seminary Explores

Dr. Christianson speaks with Dr. Bradley Hoch, Pediatrician and author of The Lincoln Trail in Pennsylvania about President Lincoln’s religious evolution. Lincoln developed throughout his life, beginning as (what his neighbors called) an “infidel” and moving on to a doctrine of “necessity” before coming to terms with Providence.  In 1862, probably because of the horrifying numbers of casualties and the death of his son Willie, the president began to affirm a personal deity. In the Second Inaugural he envisions a God who has purposes for humankind, although they may not be ours.

Dr. William O. Avery, Arthur O. Larson Professor Emeritus of Stewardship and Parish Ministry, Gettysburg Seminary speaks about the dramatic difference in the world of young people today, driven especially by technology, drives the question: how should the church respond?  Dr. Avery suggests some interesting ideas that might help meet the needs of Millennials who are looking for dialogue, new kinds of spirituality, and above all meaning.

The Poetry + Theology editor for Seminary Ridge Review speaks with internationally-exhibited fiber artist Laurie Wohl. Wohl’s traveling exhibit “Birds of Longing: Exile and Memory” came to Gettysburg Seminary in the fall of 2014. The 14-piece show integrates excerpts from Muslim, Jewish and Christian texts from the Convivencia and from contemporary Middle Eastern poets. Alluding to the oldest traditions of narrative textiles, the pieces in the exhibit include original iconography and mixed media as well as an audio soundscape.

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. Largen spends this episode talking to The Rev. Dr. David Rhodes about the integral role creation plays in Lutheran Theology, and the resources available for individual Christians, public ministers and congregations who want to learn more about how to bring care for creation into their faith lives. 

What do monks do all day and what is their value in modern society? Is a Protestant, specifically Lutheran monastery a contradiction in terms? Listen to the story of St. Augustine’s House, a Lutheran monastery in Oxford, Michigan and how Father Jude, formerly the Rev. Donald Motaka, found his way there with your host Dr.Christianson.

Listen to the insightful and interesting reflections on the current crisis in the Holy Land from the Rev. Dr. Angela Zimmann, who recently returned from serving at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem.

Host Dr. Largen, Pastor Paul Hoffman and art therapist and licensed mental health counselor Donna Linn, talk about the adult faith formation program that was pioneered at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle, Washington.  They now travel the country educating Synods, Congregations and Seminary constituencies about that successful program.