Scholar Lectures
Scott Cowdell
"Rene Girard and Secular Modernity"
Held Wednesday, April 28, 2010 ~ 3:00pm. Emmaus S. Lounge, SOT. Co-sponsored by School of Theology·Seminary, Studium - Saint Benedict's Monastery, Saint John's Abbey, CSB/SJU Peace Studies, CSB/SJU Philosophy.
Violence is the elephant in the room as we try to make sense of where Western culture is going, what role religion plays in our world, and any difference Christianity might make. In a post-modern era cynical about grand theories, French-American theorist Rene Girard offers a uniquely powerful, controversial, multi-disciplinary perspective, based on his distinctive account of desire and cultural creation through the sublimation of scapegoating. Recently elected to the Academie-Francais, this leading Catholic intellectual is a profound, if disturbing, Christian witness. Join us for this lecture to learn more about Girard, in particular his remarkable account of Western modernity's origins, and what he sees as its limited prospects. View lecture poster.
Jeffery Rowthorn
"They asked for a Hymn"
Held Wednesday, April 7, 2010 ~ 7:30pm. Emmaus Hall Chapel, SOT. Co-sponsored by School of Theology·Seminary.
All are welcome to join in this joyous hymn-fest singing our faith. This celebration with music features the hymn texts of Jeffery Rowthorn, liturgy professor, hymn-writer, and hymnal editor. View lecture poster.
Weldon Nisly
"Seeing Iraq through Iraqi Eyes"
Held Wednesday, March 31, 2010 ~ 11:45am - 12:45pm; Brown-bag Luncheon. Emmaus S. Lounge, SOT. Co-sponsored by School of Theology·Seminary.
Weldon will be presenting on his recent travels to Rutba in Iraq with the Christian Peacemakers Team.Steven Chase
"The Book of Job and the Spirituality of Suffering"
Held Monday, February 22, 2010 ~ 3:00pm. Emmaus S. Lounge, SOT. Co-sponsored by School of Theology·Seminary.
Theological interpretation of scripture is an essential practice in the Christian pilgrimage of seeking to know God. This lecture will address the question of suffering as it is depicted in the Book of Job. Job exposes the layers and depths of human suffering, the inexplicability of evil, and the incompleteness of human existence. Can these ways of knowing God rightfully be called "spirituality"? We all suffer: in our Christian pilgrimage can we - ought we - accommodate a "spirituality of suffering"? View lecture poster.
Susan Noakes
"The Economic language of Pierre Jean Olivi in relation to Dante's Paradiso"
Held Tuesday, February 16, 2010 ~ 3:30pm, Reception. 4:00pm, Lecture ~ AV2, Alcuin Library (lower level). Co-sponsored by the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML).
Pierre Jean Olivi was a leading thirteenth-century Franciscan economic theorist from Provence whose controversial writings led to his exile from France. Following this exile, he taught in Florence during Dante's young adulthood. This lecture will discuss a passage in the Paradiso, long puzzling to scholars, that gives the sense that Dante was impacted by aspects of Olivi's economic thought. View lecture poster.
Fred Holper
"Mystagogy for a Peculiar People: Reclaiming the Church's Communal Identity"
Held Thursday, November 12, 2009 ~ 3:00pm ~ Emmaus S. Lounge. Co-sponsored by Saint John's School of Theology·Seminary.
This lecture explores the significance of "Mystagogy" for reclaiming and renewing the church's communal identity as a peculiar people in a postmodern, post-Christendom context. Many congregations, particularly in mainline protestant denominations, facing severe membership losses, have been seduced by the apparent success of the so-called new paradigm churches into abandoning their communal identity or reframing it to cohere with the messages of popular culture. This lecture argues that what the church needs is a renewed focus on "mystagogy" as a critical pedagogy for the peculiar people known as "church." View lecture poster.
Armand Larive
"After Sunday, a Theology of Work"
Held Sunday, November 15. 10:00am. Dean's Forum - Fontaine Auditorium, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Minneapolis.
People derive a large part of their life's meaning through their occupations. The most frequent opening question upon meeting someone is "What do you do?" This lecture will examine workplace joys (pride of workmanship, tutelage, ambition, innovation) and problems (fatigue, failure, betrayal, competition) from a Christian point of view.
Cynthia McRae
"Forgiveness and Healing"
Held Monday, November 16. 7:30pm. CSB Gorecki 204A
Forgiveness is an act that restores relationships and sets us free to move on without the constraints and messiness of anger, bitterness, and recriminations that may continue to cloud our feelings about ourselves, others, and sometimes, God. Forgiveness is life-giving. Yet, how do we learn-or teach others-to forgive? This lecture will explore the notions of forgiveness, tenderness, love, and putting others first as part of our daily life's experiences. View lecture poster.