Carol Robb, Margaret Dollar Professor of Christian Social Ethics, published a new book on climate change ethics that was released in January by Fortress Press. Wind, Sun, Soil, Spirit: Biblical Ethics and Climate Change integrates economic theory, environmental policy, and New Testament studies to describe why two-thirds of the world challenges the industrialized world to make affirmative steps to decrease greenhouse gases domestically. This book describes four scenarios put forward by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, each projecting a certain population level, impact on biodiversity, and effect on climate systems. Drawing on what we think we know about the ministry and parables of Jesus, and attempting to make analogies with the contemporary context, this book makes a case for a particular scenario for the future—a scenario in which appropriate technology and citizen involvement take precedence over corporate centralization of energy for production for consumption. Readers who want to understand the Kyoto mechanisms, enjoy thinking about how to use Scripture in moral reflection, and be confronted by the IPCC’s question “Which way now?” will appreciate this book. Look for Robb’s article in The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture Vol. 3.2, 2009. This issue’s centerpiece is the last essay written by esteemed ecotheologian James A. Nash in which he makes the case against Christians arguing from Scripture for the protection of biodiversity, or for any other moral argument. Carol’s response to Nash, “Biblical Authority to Advocate for Biodiversity,” is one of eight responses to what Nash considered one of his most important arguments. The responses reflect deep appreciation for Nash’s contributions to eco-theology, whether they agree or disagree with this particular argument. In July Robb will participate in a consultation at Seattle University, “Teaching Toward Eco-Justice: Where Sustainability and Social Justice Meet in Theological Education.” The project director is Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, and the hope is that “students of participating faculty will be more equipped for scholarship and ministry that contribute the resources of Christian traditions” to reversing ecological disaster, in ways that diminish social injustice.
Sam Hamilton-Poore, director of the Program in Christian Spirituality and assistant professor of Christian Spirituality, represented SFTS at the annual conference of Spiritual Directors International in San Francisco in April. In June he will participate in two national consultations on spiritual formation in seminaries: the first involving representatives from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ; and the second, a gathering of representatives from all PC(USA) seminaries sponsored by the PC(USA) Office of Spiritual Formation. In July, he will co-lead with Judy Siker the 2010 Preachers’ Retreat, “Before the Cradle and Beyond the Cross.”
Charlene Jin Lee, assistant professor of Christian Education and director of Student Formation, gave a lecture at Western Theological Seminary on “To Begin From Where I Am: Memory, Narrative and Identity Formation” and participated in a colloquy where she presented her research on feminist autobiographic curriculum theory. She was a guest speaker at a Fuller Theological Seminary symposium on “The Future of Theological Formation.” The title of her lecture was “The Roomy-ness of God and Gender in the Church,” and it offered a topographic analysis of genderized structures that inform theological and ministerial understandings. Jin Lee delivered the keynote for a joint gathering of congregations in San Gabriel Presbytery, in February. In April, she gave a talk on contextual Christian Religious Education for the convocation of retired Presbyterian ministers at Monte Vista Grove Homes and led a workshop on family and faith formation at La Mirada Presbyterian Church, Calif. She also completed a chapter contribution, “The Art of Supervision and Mentoring,” for a forthcoming book on theological field education to be released by The Alban Institute in 2011.
Greg Love, associate professor of systematic theology, taught two five-week adult education series on his new book, Love, Violence, and the Cross: How the Nonviolent God Saves Us through the Cross of Christ (Cascade Books). Adults engaged with Love’s ideas on the cross at Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, and at First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame February through May. Love will be leading a workshop on different understandings of the cross at the Western National Leadership Training Event in Jackson, Wyo., Oct. 6-8, 2010. The conference is cosponsored by the Synod of the Rocky Mountains and several PC(USA) seminaries. Love looks at the cross from several angles, drawing from his recent book.
James Noel, the H. Eugene Farlough, Jr. California Professor of African American Christianity, presented a lecture in February at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco. His lecture was the first in the ongoing series entitled “Migrations of the Sacred: Spiritual Practices Across the Diaspora.” Noel illuminated on connections between Africa and millions of people in Brazil, Cuba, Haiti and elsewhere who are of African descent. He wrote a proposal that was approved by the GTU Council of Deans and the GTU Council of Presidents for a Black Church/Africana Religious Studies Certificate Program and developed a new seminar for the SFTS course offerings titled Human Embodiment, the Cultures of Modernity & Christ’s Body. In April, Noel participated in the 40th anniversary celebrations of African American Studies at UC Berkeley. He was part of the panel representing former faculty, students and staff considered pioneers of the Afro-American Studies program at Berkeley. The ordained minister preached at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church’s Black History Celebration in February, Pacific Lutheran School of Religion for its Black History Celebration in March and Faith Presbyterian Church in Oakland. He also conducted the New Members class at New Liberation Presbyterian Church and participated in the baptism ceremony of 18 people. In May, he preached at the installation service of Rev. Dr. Martha Taylor as pastor of Elmhurst Presbyterian Church in Oakland. On the SFTS campus, Noel delivered a lecture to the SFTS Board of Trustees demonstrating the use of art in the teaching of Church History in February and shared his life work as part of the Academic Symposium sponsored by the Community Life Committee in April. Noel was selected to be a part of a Lilly Foundation funded cohort to develop expertise in “religious pluralism” and the teaching of comparative religions this summer. He consulted with the “Crossing Boarders Program” at the University of Chicago Divinity School in May. He will be the keynote speaker for the “Great Conversations Program” of Every Church A Peace Church located in Atlanta June 2-4.
Christopher Ocker, professor of Church History, contributed a chapter to A History of Biblical Interpretation (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009) on “Scholastic Interpretation of the Bible.” The chapter introduces readers to the scholastic interpretation of the Bible in the Middle Ages and
in Post-Reformation Europe, with particular emphasis on the Middle Ages.
Eugene Eung-Chun Park, the Dana and Dave Dornsife Professor of New Testament, will be a key leader during the 2010 Church Unbound Conference Aug. 11-14 at the Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina. The retreat is for lay leaders, clergy, commissioned lay pastors, seminary students and all who wish to take part in fashioning a new vision for the church. Park will be the Bible study leader during the conference.
Annette Schellenberg, associate professor of Old Testament, was a speaker at the annual T.V. Moore Lectures held during Alumni Reunion Weekend in April. Her lecture was entitled “Idols or Gods? New Perspectives on Images of God in Ancient Israel.” The focus was on the significance of “idols” mentioned in the Old Testament.
Judy Yates Siker, vice president SFTS/Southern California and professor of New Testament and
Christian Origins, was a speaker at the annual T.V. Moore Lectures held during Alumni Reunion Weekend in April. Her lectured was entitled “Birthing God: Feminist Theology in Retrospect and Prospect.”
Annette Weissenrieder, associate professor of New Testament, was a speaker at the annual T.V. Moore Lectures held during Alumni Reunion Weekend in April. Her lecture was entitled “Do you not know that you are God’s temple? [1 Cor. 3:16] New Perspective on Paul’s Image of the Temple in Light of Numismatics, Ancient Art and Ancient Theory of Architecture.”
Annette Weissenrieder