The Seminary Explores

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. Christianson interviews Greg Bowles the On-Site Director of Project Gettysburg-Leon in Leon, Nicaragua.  They talk about how Nicaragua, the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere next to Haiti, is attempting to address issues of poverty, hunger, and land management.  The government is leading the way by making more animals available for farmers. Programs like Project Gettysburg-Leon are working to train local agricultural extension teams, as well as develop health, education, and art centers.

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.

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. Largen continues her discussion with Rev. Shafer as he talks about the interfaith reality in which we live, and the way media technologies—including the news media—can foster both positive and negative attitudes about different religious traditions, including Christianity.

Dr. Largen speaks with Rev. Eric Shafer about the interface between religion and the media, particularly as it relates to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, both past and present.  He describes the historic openness of the Lutheran church to current media technologies, and expresses optimism for the future.

The Poetry + Theology editor for Seminary Ridge Review speaks with Irish poet Micheal O’Siadhail about his friendship with theologians, his poetry, and whether or not faith is a thing to be kept private. O’Siadhail gave a public reading on the Gettysburg Seminary campus as part of his U.S. book tour for Collected Poems (Bloodaxe Books, 2013).

Dr. Christianson speaks with Dr. Baird Tipson, former president of Wittenberg University, Ohio and Washington College, Maryland on the important role that the Liberal Arts College plays in contemporary society despite the emphasis on technical capacities in fields as varied as medicine, law, or computers Technical skills are best learned in the context of the liberal arts which emphasize the whole person, including fundamental questions of who we are as humans, and how best to serve humanity in a changing world. The church continues to have a role in the Liberal Arts College, even though this role is evolving. Perhaps most important, church-related colleges have the opportunity as nowhere else to raise the ultimate question of who we are in relation to God.