The Seminary Explores

Better Living through Chemistry

As part of our Science for Seminaries series, Dr. Michael Wedlock explains what chemistry is, why it was once called the “central science,” and most importantly, how it helps us better understand and appreciate the world.

The Kinship of War and Poetry

Seminary Ridge Review’s Poetry + Theology editor Katy Giebenhain joins the Anglo-Welsh poet Tony Curtis for a conversation about war poetry. The emeritus professor of poetry at University of South Wales was on a visit to the Gettysburg Battlefield and Seminary Ridge Museum in-between other events in the U.S. Curtis is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Literature and the Welsh Academy of Writers and the author of more than 30 books.

For more about Tony Curtis visit: www.tonycurtispoet.com or www.serenbooks.com

The Ten Top Stories in Religion 2015

Dr. Vincent Evener, Visiting Instructor in Reformation and Lutheran Studies at the Gettysburg Seminary discusses his choice of the ten top stories/events in religion for 2015. These include: The visit of Pope Francis, the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage, issues of violence in particular the A.M.E. church killings in Charleston, South Carolina and terrorism, and immigration. He highlighted his concern for cooperation, openness, constructive endeavors to counter the rhetoric of suspicion and hate.

Physics: What it is and why it matters (The Big Bang Theory, String Theory, and God)

Continuing our focus on “Science in the Seminary” this year, in this episode, Dr. Stephenson offers a basic description of physics and the kinds of things physics teaches us about the world.   Then moving into some specific theories about creation, the universe and how it all matters to our understanding of God.

Geology, Climate Change & Life Today

Dr. Principato describes with clarity and precision the importance of geology for understanding our world, and the current state of the climate.  She is informative, interesting, and compelling!

A Youth Extravaganza

Jay Eckman, a second year student at Gettysburg Seminary, talks about his involvement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 2015 Youth Gathering in Detroit.  He explores the importance of the Youth Gathering for the life of the church as well as the importance of the gathering for his own preparation for pastoral ministry.

Syria is Serious Business

Dennis F. Carter, Career Foreign Service Officer, Department of State addresses several important questions: How is the U.S. and the United Nations handling the refugee crisis? Is there reason to fear the influx of Syrian refugees?  What religious ideology drives Isis to detest the “secular state”?  Why does Russia support the Assad regime?

The State of Education

Two retired professors of education and school Superintendents, Dr. Wenifort Washington and Dr. Jean Harper discuss the challenges and opportunities in public education. They talked about the need for partnership between the schools and community agencies and institutions including the church. In addition they highlighted the role of the Federal Government in the educational process.

A Time of Transition: Retirement and the Clergy

Pastor Paul Mundey, Senior Pastor at the Frederick Church of the Brethren, discusses the issues of retirement for the clergy. What does retirement mean for the pastor? What are the issues for the congregation? Mundey shares his process of transition into retirement as an example and highlights some of the research and scholars on retirement and transitions in the parish.

The Cost of War: Yugoslavia

James Roach, retired Site Manager of the Eisenhower National Historical Site and Chief of Interpretive and Visitor Services, Gettysburg National Military Park,  discusses the complex reasons for the formation of Yugoslavia after World War I and its break-up into seven different countries during a devastating war between 1992 and 1995.  Among the complex factors are long memories of previous conflicts together with ethnic and religious differences: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Muslim.  Two results were the displacement of four million people and an abiding feeling of distrust.