The Seminary Explores

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.

Dr. Strobert continues the discussion around apocalyptic with Dr. Maria Erling by defining of the term apocalyptic from its biblical roots to its present expression in United States society.   Dr. Erling then moves on to identify events in American history that initiated apocalyptic themes from various denominations.

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. 

Dr. Richard Carlson, Glatfelter Professor of Biblical Studies at Gettysburg Seminary, discusses apocalyptic in the New Testament, first by showing how it grew as a response to the failure of wisdom literature (e.g. Proverbs) to satisfy the religious needs of Israel in the century and a half before Jesus. In the New Testament Carlson uses examples from Paul and Mark to show how apocalyptic was changed by the coming of Christ through an emphasis on the “already, but not yet” and on hope for things to come. As a means of understanding evil apocalyptic encourages perseverance in the face of what Paul calls the powers of sin and death and the new life “in Christ.” 

Dr. Strobert speaks with Dr. Eric Crump about the top ten stories in religion for 2013.

The top stories included:

• The resignation of the Pope Benedict
• The election of Pope France and his emphasis on the poor and the reforms in the Curia
• The election of the first woman presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• And more...

Dr. Christianson talks to Historical Artist Dale Gallon from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania about the challenges of historically accurate painting as well as his ten painting commission for the Seminary Ridge Museum in Gettysburg.

Dr. Strobert talks with Gerhard Ulrich, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany about a wide variety of topics including:

• The relationship between the Lutheran Churches in Germany and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• Theological education in Germany
• Who are we as Lutherans? What is our particular vocation?
• Examining the various cultures within the German Churches
• Unity versus uniformity
• Discussion of the new church structure in Northern Germany
• Issues within the church with the former Eastern Germany population

Host Dr. Gerald Christianson talks with Barbara Franco, the Executive Director of the new Seminary Ridge Museum located atop Seminary Ridge in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. The new museum explores the topics of:

• the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg
• the care of the wounded and human suffering that took place within Schmucker Hall during its use as a field hospital
• faith and freedom and the moral, civic and spiritual debates of the Civil War era

Hosts Dr. Nelson Strobert and Dr. Gerald Christianson discuss the history and the future of The Seminary Explores and the move from local radio to internet podcast.