The Seminary Explores

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.

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. Largen talks to Sara Gyson about her involvement with the community garden on the Gettysburg Seminary campus, and the ways in which a garden can foster a church’s mission in the world, and also strengthen Christian discipleship in ways large and small.

The Rev. Dr. Ted Peters, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union describes the important difference it makes in our lives when we give up our attempts at self-justification [which often includes scapegoating] and rely on God’s justification.

Dr. Largen Speaks with The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Peterson the Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Lutheran Seminary about what she calls a “spirit-breathed” ecclesiology, describing a new way of understanding the church for the 21st century.

Dr. Largen continues her discussion with Bhante Sujatha about the founding of the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, Illinois, which caters specifically to Western Americans, and why Americans are drawn to meditation and the Buddha’s teachings.

Dr. Largen has a delightful conversation with Bhante Sujatha about his personal story of becoming a Buddhist monk at age 11 and his subsequent  journey from Sri Lanka to the United States.