2011-2012 Faculty Lectures

Over the course of the 2011-2012 academic year, eleven members of Garrett-Evangelical’s faculty will present lectures for the seminary community and public. Held on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m., these lectures offer a time to celebrate the accomplishments and careers of our renowned scholars. They include sabbatical lectures showcasing recent research, promotional lectures marking professional and academic accomplishment, and retirement lectures commemorating outstanding careers and service to the Church and academy.

The lectures are free and open to the public. If you are interested in bringing a group, we are happy to assist in any way that we can. We also invite you to join us for Community Meal at 5:00 p.m. and Chapel at 6:00 p.m. For further details, see the "Join Us!" tab below.

If you have questions, concerns, or for more information, please contact Krista McNeil, administrator for academic affairs at 847.866.3903 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fall Lectures

	WATCH NOW Dr. David Hogue September 14, 2011 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Brain Matters: Toward a Practical Theology of Human Connectedness This lecture sketches recent developments in the neurosciences and explores their implications for a practical theology of human relationality. Of particular interest will be human capacities for empathy and love, provocative hints about what goes wrong in relationships, and hopeful signs for their restoration.
	WATCH NOW Dr. Brent Waters September 21, 2011 \| Room 205 Promotion Lecture Dead Reckoning: Eschatology and Ethics
	WATCH NOW Dr. Stephen Ray September 28, 2011 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture *Theology and the Unimaginable* The lecture will be an exploration of how the Church can in a theologically responsible way conceive of forgiveness in the face of genocide; particularly when it unfolds in the midst of Christian communities and is facilitated by the actions of the faithful.
	WATCH NOW Dr. Ruth Duck October 5, 2011 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Vital Worship for the Twenty-First Century Based on the final chapter of Dr. Duck’s forthcoming textbook, Worship for the Whole People of God, this lecture focuses on the new and promising developments in North American worship.
	WATCH NOW Dr. James Poling October 26, 2011 \| Room 205 Lecture *The Ambiguity of God and Humans* In his retirement lecture, Poling explores the concept of ambiguity as a helpful concept for human religious life. In Jesus’s life, the cross and nonviolence are signs that show us the connections between human ambiguity and God’s ambiguity. This lecture is drawn from his recent book: Rethinking Faith: A Constructive Practical Theology (Fortress Press, 2011).
	WATCH NOW Dr. Ken Vaux (Monday) November 7, 2011 \| Chapel Retirement Lecture *The Ministry of Vincent Van Gogh* The Lecture will explore the frustrations and fulfillments faced in Vincent's quest to become an Preacher/Evangelist then a Painter/Pastor with particular focus on his unfolding Ethical Theology.
	WATCH NOW Dr. Mark Fowler November 16, 2011 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Leaders, Prophets and the Church Yet to Be Leadership is a consistent cry from denominational leaders and church boards. It is clear from the request that the urgency is “a church in trouble” that needs to be “saved.” This lecture will explore the vocation of a leader in the church who is responsive to the salvation God has already worked in Jesus Christ and the “meantime” focus of leadership for the living of these days. The presentation will also touch on the limitations of the constitutional aspirations of mainline denominations with special focus on The United Methodist Book of Discipline.

Lectures, dates, and times are subject to change.

Spring Lectures

	WATCH NOW Dr. Anne Joh February 8, 2012 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Still Present Pasts of War and Immigration: Imagining the Horizons of Korean American Theology What are the conditions of possibility for Koreans in America? What does it mean to construct Korean American identity? What is the relation between Korean Americans with American history and Korean history? How might Korean Americans be haunted by the still present pasts of U.S. presence in Korea? What are some of the necessary contours that must condition theological reflection by Korean American Christians?
	WATCH NOW Dr. Beth Sheppard February 29, 2012 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Then and Now: Histography and New Testament Interpretation What is meant by “historical criticism” and are historically minded New Testament scholars using the same methods and approaches as their colleagues in the field of classics or other branches of professional history? After a brief survey of recent methods and challenges in historiography, several techniques for investigating history will be recommended for either broader or new implementation in studies of Christianity in Antiquity.
	WATCH NOW Dr. Ron Anderson March 7, 2012 \| Chapel Promotion Lecture Apotaxis and Ethics: The Baptismal Renunications and Christian Discipleship Dr. Anderson will explore the implications of the recovery of the apotaxis and syntaxis in the baptismal liturgies of many mainline protestant churches in the USA. In particular, the current United Methodist baptismal liturgy to explore how the baptismal renunciation and affirmation provide a framework for the development of a Christian ethic and a pattern of Christian discipleship
	WATCH NOW Dr. Cheryl Anderson March 21, 2012 \| Chapel Promotion Lecture Standing at the Edge of the Mississippi: Reflections on a Different Paradigm for Theological Education Dr. Anderson’s lecture will propose helping students to develop their own socio-historical narratives as a connecting thread that weaves together their seminary coursework.

Lectures, dates, and times are subject to change.

Join Us!

We hope you will join us in recognizing the scholastic and professional achievements of our faculty by attending these lectures. Wednesday afternoons at Garrett-Evangelical offer a wonderful glimpse into the culture and community of the Seminary. The lectures are from 4:00-5:00 p.m., followed by Community Meal in Loder Hall catered by Food for Thought. The evening concludes with Gospel worship service in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful.

We invite you and your friends, church group, or organization to join us! For groups who register two weeks or more prior to any lecture we will gladly waive costs associated with parking and meals.* Contact Shane Nichols, manager of communications and events at 847.866.3866 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Associated Costs
The lectures are free and open to all who wish to attend.

*Parking is available in Garrett-Evangelical's gated lot for $7.00 per day per vehicle and limited two-hour street parking is available on Garrett Place street. Community meal, catered by Food for Thought is held in the newly renovated Loder Hall from 5:00-6:15 p.m. The menu will change from week-to-week and will feature a variety of food ethnicities. Community meal costs $10.00 per person but is free to currently registered students.

Maps and Directions

Lectures, dates, and times are subject to change.

	WATCH NOW Dr. David Hogue September 14, 2011 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Brain Matters: Toward a Practical Theology of Human Connectedness This lecture sketches recent developments in the neurosciences and explores their implications for a practical theology of human relationality. Of particular interest will be human capacities for empathy and love, provocative hints about what goes wrong in relationships, and hopeful signs for their restoration.
	WATCH NOW Dr. Brent Waters September 21, 2011 \| Room 205 Promotion Lecture Dead Reckoning: Eschatology and Ethics
	WATCH NOW Dr. Stephen Ray September 28, 2011 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture *Theology and the Unimaginable* The lecture will be an exploration of how the Church can in a theologically responsible way conceive of forgiveness in the face of genocide; particularly when it unfolds in the midst of Christian communities and is facilitated by the actions of the faithful.
	WATCH NOW Dr. Ruth Duck October 5, 2011 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Vital Worship for the Twenty-First Century Based on the final chapter of Dr. Duck’s forthcoming textbook, Worship for the Whole People of God, this lecture focuses on the new and promising developments in North American worship.
	WATCH NOW Dr. James Poling October 26, 2011 \| Room 205 Lecture *The Ambiguity of God and Humans* In his retirement lecture, Poling explores the concept of ambiguity as a helpful concept for human religious life. In Jesus’s life, the cross and nonviolence are signs that show us the connections between human ambiguity and God’s ambiguity. This lecture is drawn from his recent book: Rethinking Faith: A Constructive Practical Theology (Fortress Press, 2011).
	WATCH NOW Dr. Ken Vaux (Monday) November 7, 2011 \| Chapel Retirement Lecture *The Ministry of Vincent Van Gogh* The Lecture will explore the frustrations and fulfillments faced in Vincent's quest to become an Preacher/Evangelist then a Painter/Pastor with particular focus on his unfolding Ethical Theology.
	WATCH NOW Dr. Mark Fowler November 16, 2011 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Leaders, Prophets and the Church Yet to Be Leadership is a consistent cry from denominational leaders and church boards. It is clear from the request that the urgency is “a church in trouble” that needs to be “saved.” This lecture will explore the vocation of a leader in the church who is responsive to the salvation God has already worked in Jesus Christ and the “meantime” focus of leadership for the living of these days. The presentation will also touch on the limitations of the constitutional aspirations of mainline denominations with special focus on The United Methodist Book of Discipline.

	WATCH NOW Dr. Anne Joh February 8, 2012 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Still Present Pasts of War and Immigration: Imagining the Horizons of Korean American Theology What are the conditions of possibility for Koreans in America? What does it mean to construct Korean American identity? What is the relation between Korean Americans with American history and Korean history? How might Korean Americans be haunted by the still present pasts of U.S. presence in Korea? What are some of the necessary contours that must condition theological reflection by Korean American Christians?
	WATCH NOW Dr. Beth Sheppard February 29, 2012 \| Room 205 Sabbatical Lecture Then and Now: Histography and New Testament Interpretation What is meant by “historical criticism” and are historically minded New Testament scholars using the same methods and approaches as their colleagues in the field of classics or other branches of professional history? After a brief survey of recent methods and challenges in historiography, several techniques for investigating history will be recommended for either broader or new implementation in studies of Christianity in Antiquity.
	WATCH NOW Dr. Ron Anderson March 7, 2012 \| Chapel Promotion Lecture Apotaxis and Ethics: The Baptismal Renunications and Christian Discipleship Dr. Anderson will explore the implications of the recovery of the apotaxis and syntaxis in the baptismal liturgies of many mainline protestant churches in the USA. In particular, the current United Methodist baptismal liturgy to explore how the baptismal renunciation and affirmation provide a framework for the development of a Christian ethic and a pattern of Christian discipleship
	WATCH NOW Dr. Cheryl Anderson March 21, 2012 \| Chapel Promotion Lecture Standing at the Edge of the Mississippi: Reflections on a Different Paradigm for Theological Education Dr. Anderson’s lecture will propose helping students to develop their own socio-historical narratives as a connecting thread that weaves together their seminary coursework.

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Contact Us