What Are You Reading? Part VII

The final week of summer is upon us! Our incoming students will soon be arriving for orientation and our returning students are settling back into their apartments and dorms. As a new academic year prepares to begin, we also say goodbye to another summer and to the "What Are You Reading?" series for 2011. Our final post features Dr. G. Brooke Lester, Director of Emerging Pedagogies and Assistant Professor of Hebrew Scripture, and Dr. Barry Bryant, Associate Professor of United Methodist and Wesleyan Studies.

Dr. Lester:
Method Matters: Essays on the Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in Honor of David L. Petersen (Society of Biblical Literature: Atlanta, 2009).
Method Matters is a collection of some 28 essays on the current state of a range of approaches to the Bible (e.g., form criticism, anthropological approaches, gender analysis, theological approaches, historiographical approaches, Latin American approaches). I was attracted to it for two reasons. First, as I make revisions to my dissertation for publication, I have “one eye open” for ways to expand or sharpen my research interests in ancient literary allusion. Second, as a teacher, I am all too aware that we can teach form criticism (for example) more or less the way we learned it from our teachers, which may (in a worst-case scenario) be more or less how they learned it from their teachers. Such datedness is especially unforgivable in a cross-disciplinary age when interpreters might combine the latest in source criticism with ideological approaches, form criticism with homiletical approaches, redaction criticism with gender analysis.

Dr. Bryant:
Chomsky, Noam and Ilan Pappe.  Gaza in Crisis: Reflections on Israel’s War Against the Palestinians  (Haymarket Books: Chicago, 2010). 
On December 28 of this year I will lead a tour, “Outrageous Hope: A Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation Immersion in Israel and Palestine.” In addition to visiting Christian holy sites, the purpose of the trip is to engage Israelis and Palestinians who are working for a just and reconciled peace. [The trip is open to all. For more information email barry.bryant@garrett.edu.] This book is part of my regular reading on the Israel/Palestine conflict.  Noam Chomsky (born to Jewish parents in Philadelphia) is a noted philosopher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ian Pappe (born in Haifa, Israel to German-Jewish parents) has been described as "Israel’s bravest, most principled, most incisive historian" and teaches at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter (U.K.).  Together they have written an explanation of the situation in Gaza.  It begins by giving a critical analysis of the founding of Israel, the contribution that the Christian theology of dispensationalism made to Israel’s start, and how American foreign policy has been shaped by a Zionist agenda. Chomsky’s contribution is significantly influenced by his deceased friend and colleague, Edward Said, the Palestinian American who is often regarded as the father of “post-colonial” theory.  Pappe includes some of his most controversial work in which he documents that there has been a policy of “ethnic cleansing” regarding the Palestinians from the start.  It is a dissident narrative to the one most Americans are accustomed to hearing, told by two noted Jewish intellectuals.  Gaza has gained a great deal of international attention over the past year.  This would be a good book for those who have heard but do not understand the historical and political background to what is going on in Gaza, but even more so for those whose understanding has been primarily shaped by mainstream American media.

Professor of Spiritual Formation Responds to Rev. McCracken's Blog

Dwight Judy,
Professor of Spiritual Formation

Thank you, Rev. McCracken, for raising the theme of spiritual formation in seminary education in your blog titled, “District Superintendent Sees Failure of Theological Schools.” While previous generations of seminary graduates, such as myself, had little exposure to the rich Christian tradition of prayer and spiritual life, recent seminary graduates will have a better understanding of these issues. Seminaries are well aware of the gap in education that you mention. Since 1996 The Association of Theological Schools has included a core category for evaluation of seminary education: Personal and Spiritual Formation. It’s quite appropriate to ask all of our United Methodist seminaries how they are addressing this issue.

Unfortunately, it takes several years for the present education in spiritual disciplines to come forth into the life of the church through our seminary graduates. But many programs, including those sponsored by The Upper Room and various conferences as well as seminaries, are providing excellent ways for people to take advantage of this important curriculum in prayer and spiritual formation.

Since 2000, in cooperation with the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has offered graduate courses for the specialized ministry of Professional Certification in Spiritual Formation. The rich core curriculum includes courses on prayer, spiritual disciplines, spiritual direction, our Wesleyan heritage in spiritual disciplines, and teaching the Bible for spiritual formation. Most United Methodist seminaries are now offering this curriculum. Those who have not yet embraced the full curriculum are offering core experiences in their Master of Divinity curriculum in covenant groups or some other form of spiritual discipline.

If pastors have missed this curriculum in their seminary education, they are welcomed into the Certification in Spiritual Formation studies. Such studies in specialized ministry are open to laity, Elders and Deacons. It was interesting to see your mention of the excellent programs offered by The Upper Room, such as the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation. As we were developing the Certification in Spiritual Formation, staff members of The Upper Room were included in our conversations. People can apply their experience in the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation toward their Certification in Spiritual Formation. Because of the need for this curriculum to enrich the life of the church, Certification in Spiritual Formation has become the largest enrollment in the many offerings for specialized ministries by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. It is a wonderful way to gain the knowledge and skills to guide people in spiritual disciplines, whether used for continuing education, as part of ministry preparation, or for Advanced Course of Study.

At Garrett-Evangelical we believe so strongly in this focus that we have set the goal to raise an endowment of $2 million for the Rueben Job Chair of Spiritual Formation. Bishop Job is an alumnus of Garrett-Evangelical, as well as one of the persons instrumental in creating The Upper Room programs you mention. We are honored that he has been willing to lend his support to this endeavor.

Yes, the seminaries have some catching up to do. Your blog reminded me very much of a conversation I had with one of my seminary professors in the early 1980’s, when I had stumbled upon the rich Christian heritage of prayer and spiritual formation. Why wasn’t I taught this material in my own seminary education? We’ve come a long way since then, but, as you point out, there is a very long way to go.

Please encourage pastors to enroll in Certification in Spiritual Formation studies. This curriculum is offered in a variety of ways, often accessible through distance education courses, by Garrett-Evangelical, Perkins, Boston, Drew, Wesley, Saint Paul, and United. Iliff and Claremont offer enrichment programs not under the GBHEM umbrella of UM Certification. Many Deacon track candidates are pursuing spiritual formation as their area of specialized ministry. Things are happening so quickly that my list here may be deficient, and I apologize to my seminary colleagues if my information is in error. Inquire of your seminary what they may be offering. Many seminaries, including Garrett-Evangelical, also offer Doctor of Ministry degrees that work in the areas of spiritual formation and spiritual direction. Garrett-Evangelical is accepting applications for our next cohort of students for our Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction, which will begin in January 2013.

In addition to these offerings by the seminaries, there are excellent resource people available to guide experiences of prayer, spiritual disciplines, and retreats throughout the nation. Check with the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders (www.fumsdrl.org) for resource people in your region. FUMSDRL is a recognized affiliate organization of The United Methodist Church, with a contact list over 800 strong, another sign of the emerging importance of spiritual formation ministries in the life of our church.

Thanks again for bringing this significant ministry to light for the church’s well-being.

---

Dr. Dwight Judy is the Professor of Spiritual Formation at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. To learn more about Dr. Dwight Judy and his work in spiritual formation go to www.DwightJudy.com.

What Are You Reading? Part VI

This week in the "What Are You Reading?" series, Dr. Charles Cosgrove, Professor of Early Christian Literature at Garrett-Evangelical, shares with us some of the variety of books he has been reading this summer.

Virginia Wolf, The Voyage Out.
I love English and American literature and have been reading all the classics and semi-classics I can find that deal with late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century life. One additional reason for this focus is that for some years now I have been writing a biography of a woman born in 1899 who briefly became a notorious figure of the Jazz Age (and whose story inspired the play behind the 2011 movie "Chicago"). Anyway, this is pleasure reading and a pleasure writing topic.

M. L. West, Greek Metre.
I am writing on an ancient Christian hymn (Sibylline Oracle 6---second century) that is in dactylic hexameters (like Homer's Iliad) and I want to be better able to analyze the meter of this hymn. O.K., so that's technical reading, probably not what you were looking for but mostly the kind of reading I do.

John J. Collins, The Scepter and the Star (2nd ed. 2009)
This book treats ancient Jewish messianic beliefs and expectations around the time of Jesus. Collins is a terrific scholar, and I am reading his book in order to review subjects I intend to discuss in a course on Jesus and the Kingdom of God this fall.

Murray and Dorothy Leiffer, Enter the Old Portals
An extremely engaging "informal history" of Garrett Seminary/Garrett-Evangelical from the 1920s through the 1980s by two former students who also became teachers at the seminary, serving for many years. The book is very well written and the anecdotes from long ago are entertaining and in many instances inspiring. I bought my copy very inexpensively online.

New Community Members and New Assignments

Dr. Virginia Lee

Garrett-Evangelical is welcoming a group of remarkable new teachers and leaders this fall.  Dr. Virginia Lee joins our faculty as associate professor of Christian education and director of deacon studies, and Dr. Charles Cosgrove begins his work with us as professor of early Christian literature.  This academic year Dr. Jack Lundbom will serve as distinguished visiting scholar in the area of Old Testament.

Dr. Charles Cosgrove

For news about our new partnership with Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, please see the July 25 news release on our website.  Dr. Pamela Holliman and Dr. Brooke Lester continue to assist us in efforts to expand the reach of the school through distance education.  Dr. John Dally and the Rev. Tim Eberhart will be serving as adjunct faculty and will be teaching in the newly-emerging External Education Program at the seminary.  Dr. Jim Noseworthy is providing leadership for these external programming efforts at the seminary.

Rev. Cynthia Wilson

The Rev. Cynthia Wilson brings her experience and energy to the role of interim dean of students for the upcoming year.  The Rev. Karla Kincannon will serve as the interim director of field education and vocational formation and church leadership.

The Rev. Nazim Fakir will be serving as student director for the Center for the Church and the Black Experience, and Ahyun Lee and Yuki Schwartz will be student co-coordinators for the Center for Asian-American Ministries.

Please join me in welcoming these persons to our community, and share the news about the ways our seminary continues to offer first-rate offerings in Evanston and beyond.

Philip Amerson
President
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

What Are You Reading? Part V

Garrett-Evangelical's incoming class has been asked to read How to Think Theologically and Cutting for Stone. Our current students have been invited to also read these two texts but we're sure they are also doing reading for summer classes and, hopefully, taking a well deserved break from academic texts and diving into a good fiction book. So, we're left asking, "What are Garrett-Evangelical's faculty and staff reading during these summer months?"


Part V of the "What Are You Reading?" series features Dr. Jack L. Seymour, Professor of Religious Education and Director of PhD Program at Garrett-Evangelical.

Dori Grinenko Baker, ed.  Greenhouses of Hope: Congregations Growing Young Leaders Who Will Change the World.  Alban Institute, 2010.
What can we learn from congregations that call youth into ministry?  What practices of youth ministry and congregational life transform the vocations of youth?  Dori Grinenko Baker, Garrett-Evangelical and Northwestern University trained theologian and Christian education, has assembled a fine group of scholars who report the work of faithful congregations.  The churches range from a mainline suburban church to an afro-centric urban church to an interfaith congregation.  In each, the authors, several of whom have been affiliated with Garrett-Evangelical, define the characteristics of “calling congregations” – congregations that make a difference in the Christian formation and faithful practice of youth.  Read and enrich your ministry.

James E. Zull.  From Brain to Mind: Using Neuroscience to Guide Change in Education.  Stylus Publishing, 2011.
A popular summary of current research on brain science and its implications for education.  A distinguish neuro-biologist from Case Western Reserve University clarifies how education, broadly conceived, is a form of interpretation where persons seek to organize meanings, define identities, respond to the environment, and develop practices of ongoing learning and social interaction.  The author not only describes biologically the processes of learning, but also clarifies the joy of learning – thus helping us define practices that enhance learning.   Implications for both theology and religious education are clear. 

Religious Education. www.religiouseducation.net, the journal of the Religious Education Association.
This journal is a primary international and interfaith forum for educators and religious leaders who care about education – about the forming of faith communities, the enhancing of religious learning, and the empowering of religious communities to impact public living.  I serve as editor of this journal.  Therefore, I regularly read essays submitted for possible publication.  I send them out for peer review and subsequently contact authors about acceptance or denial as well as how articles can be refined publication.  The journal is an example of how Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities seek to learn from and contribute to each other. 

Christopher H. Evans.  Liberalism without Illusions: Renewing an American Christian Tradition.  Baylor University Press, 2010.
Garrett-Evangelical and Northwestern University church history graduate, Christopher Evans, rehearses the impact of the Protestant liberal tradition on congregations in the United States during the last century.  He defines the costs of ignoring the wisdom of this narrative.  Moreover, he seeks to help us recover the resources of the liberal tradition for the mission of the church and the church’s public leadership.

Helene Slessarev-Jamir.  Prophetic Activism: Progressive Religious Justice Movements in Contemporary American.  New York University Press, 2011
An ethnographic study of congregations involved in action for justice.  Dr. Slessarev-Jamir examines the theology of justice that empowers particular Christian congregations and the ways they reach across interfaith lines in mutual action for justice.  Five cases studies focus the book: community organizing, worker justice, immigration rights, peace with justice, and global justice.  A powerful model of congregational leadership is provided. 

David Brooks. The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement. Random House, 2011.
A fascinating popular study of how social interaction and the building of human community motivate human behavior.  Political commentator, David Brooks, has deftly organized brain science, research on learning, and studies of human resilience to show building and enhancing community are at the heart of human learning and living.  Implications for congregational leadership to help persons thrive are apparent.  

William F. Storrar, Peter J. Casarella, Paul Louis Metzger, Kumi Naidoo, eds. A World for All? Global Civil Society in Political Theory and Trinitarian Theology. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2011
A complex but important study originating from an international conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Will Storrar, one of the leading practical theologians today, drew this amazing group of people together to reflect on how the church and Trinitarian theology can impact “global civil society.”  Storrar and his colleagues draw us to crucial questions of resources from the Christian faith tradition to fund efforts at justice and mutuality across national and cultural barriers.  Using case studies, the book refocuses the mission of the church as a contributing partner in dialogue about the future shape of human community.

What Are You Reading? Part IV

Part IV of the "What Are You Reading?" series highlights the summer reading list of Dr. Brent Waters, Jerre and Mary Joy Stead Professor of Christian Social Ethics at Garrett-Evangelical.

The Holy Bible -  I feel no need to provide bibliographical information, explain why I’m reading it, or why I recommend it. It should speak for itself.

Oliver O’Donovan, The Word in Small Boats - A collection of sermons he preached while he was the Cathedral Canon in Oxford. You gain a different appreciation for a theologian when reading sermons rather than more formal discourse. The gospel actually does have something to do with daily, mundane life.



H. D. Forbes, George Grant: A Guide to His Thought - A nice introduction and overview of one of Canada’s prominent twentieth century political philosophers.

Iris Murdoch, The Sea, The Sea - Murdoch at her best – a complex plot with intricate characters. No one is particularly good or wicked but human, all too human. The fanciful recipes that are recounted are worth the price of the book, but don’t try to prepare or eat any of them. Won the Booker Prize in 1978.

Anthony Trollope, The Small House at Allington - Each summer I have been reading one title in the Barsetshire series. This is the fifth of six. I can’t resist country life and ecclesiastical politics in nineteenth century England.

What Are You Reading? Part III

The "What Are You Reading?" series features various Garrett-Evangelical staff and faculty members who give us a glimpse at some of the books on their summer reading lists.

Barbara Adams, Director of Hospitality and Food Services, is currently reading:
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Powerful story of American airmen who crashed their bomber into the Pacific during WWII; 3 crew members survived and spent 47 days in a raft until they washed ashore in the Marshall Islands and spent the duration of the war in Japanese prison camps.  Powerful story of survival and the strength of the human spirit.  Fantastic book; highly recommend.

Dr. Jim Papandrea, Assistant Professor of Church History, is currently reading:
In addition to research stuff, I'm reading The Last Temptation of Christ, by Nikos Kazantzakis. Also, I plan to read The One and the Many by John D. Zizioulas.

Rev. Becky Eberhart, Asst. VP for Enrollment Management is currently reading:
Digging to America by Anne Tyler
I was introduced to Anne Tyler through one of my Sunday school classes where we read and discussed her book, Saint Maybe.  Since then I’ve read two more of her books, including Digging to America.  I enjoy her writing style where she takes you into the minute details of family life and helps you see what is extraordinary in the ordinary.  She simultaneously lays out the messiness of human life – how you cannot separate the wheat and the weeds – while giving you glimpses of how grace abounds.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
I have just started reading Cutting for Stone and am already captivated.   My aunt had recommended this book to me and then President Amerson chose it as one of the books our new students would read this summer.  Even though I’m only into the first two chapters, I can see a variety of theological themes arising and know we will have enriching conversations about this book during fall orientation.

The Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky
This is a book series I am reading with my 9 year old son, Henry.  He chose the series at his elementary school’s book fair this spring and asked if I would read it with him.  It’s about four owls from different territories who band together, each bringing their own unique gifts, to battle against evil.  It’s a story of adventure, friendship and fantasy.