The Seminary Explores

Dr. Maria Erling, Professor of Modern Church History and Global Mission at United Lutheran Seminary, shares her thoughts on the 200^th Anniversary of ULS. She tells about the need for an educated Lutheran ministry in the United States , the English/German language issue in Church, and the confessional issues that established two Lutheran seminaries in the state of Pennsylvania. She also shares examples of personalities that held her interest. She discusses the life and Dr. Bertha Paulssen, a German refugee during WW2 , who was the first woman to be on a Lutheran seminary faculty in the United States. Dr. Erling also discusses the challenges to theological education in general and United Lutheran Seminary in particular.

Dr. Mark Tyler, Historiographer of the AME Church, and the Inaugural Daniel A. Payne Lecturer, highlights the life and work of Daniel A. Payne and the importance of his years at Gettysburg Seminary.

He emphasizes the importance of and the role that education exhibited in Payne’s life as an African American intellectual in the 19^th century. Tyler also discusses Payne work as the first  historiographer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; he (Tyler) is the 15^th person to hold that position. While a true intellectual, Tyler notes the fact that Payne’s life emphasized the use of Head and Heart in ministry. The intellect and the emotional commitment are inseparable; they inform one another.

Dr. Tyler's full lecture can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n6aoWutn20

Dr. Mark Tyler

Thumbnail image source: By C M Bell - https://www.loc.gov/item/2016690322/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=103021368 

Dr. Warren Eshbach is the recipient of the United Lutheran Seminary, Called to Lead – Excellence in Parish Ministry Award from the Alumni/ai Association. He talks about his Lutheran educational history although he is a member of the Church of the Brethren. He recalls his theological studies on the Gettysburg campus and their importance as he continued in ministry over the years. He emphasizes the importance of theology in helping one to think critically. Eshbach life in ministry included: parish pastor, District Executive Minister, and adjunct faculty member. For anyone contemplating ministry, he advises them to learn to listen; try to understand “the other.”

Dr. James Thomas, Retired Associate Professor of Worship Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, talks about his recent experience in teaching at the Good News Theological Seminary in Ghana. He shares his experience with students in the classroom as well as in the field experiences. Although he had been to Ghana previously, this experience exposed him to the deep division between Muslims and Christians. He also comments on his taking more time to listen to various individuals he encountered. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Thomas talks about the various congregations he attended where he preached and taught during his semester of teaching. His comments on his experience and his suggestions to considering teaching on the African continent will be helpful to faculty members considering teaching there.

Dr. Crump, former Professor of Systematic Theology at LTSG, named Karl Barth, Rudolph Bultmann, and Paul Tillich as the leading theologians of the 20th century and briefly described the central themes in the work of each. Common to all three would be close to Tillich’s phrase, “Accept the fact that you are accepted.” Crump described the crucial importance of the two World Wars on each. He compared the “big three” with American Lutheran theologian and Gettysburg professor, Robert Jensen, who is most respected for his work on the Trinity, but concluded that Tillich has the most enduring legacy.

Lent 2021 also marks a full year of COVID-19 in this country. The Seminary Explores speaks with author Rev. Andrew Taylor-Troutman, pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina about his forthcoming book, what it was like to be a “Poll Chaplain” and writing for your audience. Taylor-Troutman holds an M.Div. from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia and an M.A.R. from the University of Virginia. His articles, essays and poems have appeared in Sojourners, Mockingbird, Ruminate, Bearings Online, The Chatham News Record and elsewhere. His books include Take My Hand: A Theological Memoir, Gently Between the Words: Stories and Poems, Earning Innocence and Parables of Parenthood: Interpreting the Gospels with Family.

Dr. Kirsi Stjerna, First Lutheran Los Angeles/Southwest California Synod Professor of Lutheran History and Theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, discusses her newest book, Lutheran Theology: A Grammar of Faith. A book that emerged out of her years of teaching at the seminary level and the questions that students asked in the classroom. While the text is written for seminarians, it is designed for study in the local congregation as well. She expresses the believe that theology is about life and ultimate concerns. The key motif of the text is “Freedom.” Luther in his life demonstrated freedom for himself and others under the gospel. The extensive resources for further reading in each chapter will certainly benefit seminary students and congregational members.

Dr. Quintin Robertson, Instructor & Director of the Urban Theological Institute & Black Church Studies Program at United Lutheran Seminary, reflects on the 40^th Anniversary of the Urban Theological Institute at United Lutheran Seminary. He shares a historical overview of the Institute focusing in on the unique features of the program. Robertson also describes the changes that have taken place in the Institute including increased endowment, online courses, and the Black Church concentration.

Dr. John Hoffmeyer a Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at United Lutheran Seminary defines and describes the history and the focus of systematic theology. He shares his formation in the field from his undergraduate years to his studies in Germany and his doctoral studies at Boston College. Those theologians who have influences his work include: James Cone and Robert Jenson, and Eberhard Jüngel. Future projects for Dr. Hoffmeyer includes work on the nature of theological education (examining theory and practice) and the doctrine of the Trinity.

Emphasizing the importance of addressing community relations with students, faculty, alumni, and churches, Dr. Richard Green the Interim President at United Lutheran Seminary, pointed to the recently approved Mission Statement as a foundation for the future. The Mission calls for a focus on unity, learning, and service, and lays the groundwork for a strategic plan that is already under way. The plan will then guide policy decisions on tuition scholarships, faculty development, curriculum, maintenance, and endowment, among other issues.