COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Vantage WINTER 1994-95 Faculty, administrator named at Columbia Con mbia Theological Seminary has made three appointments to its faculty and administration. Kathleen M. O'Connor has been named professor of Old Testament and will begin ten lung at Columbia in February. Stanley P. Saunders has been ap- pointed to a five-year term as assistant professor of New Testament, and Gary L. Bagley has been named director of development and seminary relations. Dr. O'Connor has taught biblical studies at Maryknoll School of Theol- ogy since 1982. She has also taught at Princeton Theological Seminary and Providence College. Her writings include two books, The Wisdom literature and The Confes- sions of Jeremiah, and a forthcoming commentary on Lamentations for the Nnr Interpreter's Bible. She has also written a number of articles in the area of biblical interpretation and Hebrew scriptures. She holds the Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary, the MA. from Providence College, and the B.A. from College of New Roch- elle. Dr. O'Connor is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Columbia University Seminar on the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament Colloquium, the North American Coordinating Committee of Theology in Global Context Association, and founder/coordinator of the Hudson River Valley Chapter of Women in Theology. Executive Vice President and Dean of Faculty James Hudnut- Beumler said about Dr. O'Connor's appointment, "When Dr. O'Connor speaks about biblical texts, she captures her hearers' attention. She is an extraordinarily capable teacher who makes the Bible's texts vital for today. We are excited about adding such a gifted scholar to our faculty." Dr. Saunders joined the Columbia faculty in 1991 as visiting professor of New Testament. He has been a popular teacher, both at Columbia and in Presbyterian churches across the region. He holds the Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary and has also studied at Eberhard-Karls Universitat, Tubingen, and Reprecht-Karls Universitat, Heidelberg, Germany. Dr. Saunders is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association. Professor Saunders has also taught at New Brunswick, Wartburg, and Princeton theological seminaries. He served as pastor of West Main Street Christian Church, Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Charles Cousar '58, professor Kathleen O'Connor Stanley Saunders of New Testament at Columbia, said, "We are delighted to have Stan Saunders with us on a more perma- nent basis. He has already distin- guished himself as an excellent teacher and a productive colleague. We look forward to his continuing contributions to the community and to the wider church." Dr. Joanna Adams 79, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and a member of Columbia's Board, said, "Stan Saunders is a fine teacher whose commitment to the local church is a gift he has willingly shared with our congregation. I am thrilled that he will continue to be a part of the Columbia faculty and the Continued on page 2 Gary Bagley Colloquium '95 gives leaders new forum Dr. Cynthia Campbell is keynote speaker and Dr. Frank Harrington '60 is guest preacher for Colloquium '95. The theme for the four-day went is "Doing Pastoral Theology m a Pluralistic World. " The first woman to lead a Presbyterian seminary will be keynote speaker at a new Columbia event for church leaders January 9-12. The new event, Colloquium '95, with a theme of "Doing Pastoral Theology in a Plural- istic World," combines Columbia Forum and January Seminars for Ministers and includes lectures, continuing education seminars, worship, and alumni/ae reunions. Cynthia M. Campbell, newly elected president of McCormick Theological Seminary, will deliver a series of lectures and lead a continu- ing education seminar. She currently serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Salina, Kansas, and has held tenure as a professor of theology and ministry at Austin Theological Seminary- She also directed Austin's Doctor of Ministry program. Her first lecture, "What Shall We Render to the Lord? Being Religious in a Secular Society," will be held January 9 at 10:30 a.m., followed by, "To Whom Can We Go? Being Chris- tian in a Religiously Plural World," at 2 p.m. She will speak January 10 at 9 a.m. with the title, "What Is Your Only Comfort? Christian Reflections Continued on page 5 Count your blessings 30 toward our goal of $31 .45 million. financial support. Douglas W. Oldenburg, President I remi MB! R n 1 - a young boy growing up in the church singing that old gospel hymn; "Count vour blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done " Our basic posture as Christians is as recipients of Cod's gifts ot grace, ,ind our fundamental response is one <>i profound gratitude During this Thanksgiving and Christmas season, allow me to count a few <>l our blessings at Columbia, and name them one by one. 1 am thankful for. . . . . new faculty members Kathleen O'Connor (Old Testament) and Carlos ( ardoza-Orlandi (world Christianity), and new staff members Gary Bagley (director < individuals and/or couples who are including Columbia in their estate plans, and the 17 life- income plans totalling over $1.2 million all since the spring of 1993. . . the h.2 percent increase in our Annual Fund during the past fiscal year, reversing a three-year decline, and for all those who helped meet the challenge fund last spring the Columbia Friendship Circle, which exceeded its goal of $32,000. and for its prayers and support of our students. . . .the anticipated renovation and expansion of our library. . . .the new "Jerusalem Pilgrim- age" continuing education program which we are beginning in January and hope to continue each year. . . .the wonderful China Mission- ary Reunion on our campus on October 14-16 and the effective and gracious way our faculty, staff, and students planned and hosted it, and for the several churches who provided . . the production of eight 30- minute videos for the "Signs of the Times" series by our Theology, Media, and the Church program, which was seen on cable television in Atlanta and will soon be available for local congre- gations . . the joy of working with the best Board of Trustees of any school, the greatest faculty in the world, the finest group of administrators and staff who work to make this a great seminary. . . .for you and all those who keep us in your prayers, offer words of encouragement, and support us with vour financial resources. . . .and the greatest blessing of all, God's unconditional love revealed in Jesus Christ! Why don't you try it? "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." It happens every time! Thanks be to God! Q Officers for KASA are (l-r) Samuel Park, se< retary; Bom Cho, immediate past presi- dent. Insook Lee, treasurer; and Chin Kim president, Korean- American Student Association organized Korean-Ami RI< \\ mi i-i \is at Colum- bia have formed an organization to represent themselves: the Korean- American Student Association (KASA). Ratified by faculty vote last fall, the association plans to improve communication and cultural under- standing on campus, according to Hak Chin Kim, 1994-95 KASA presi- dent. Korean-Americans and Korean international students now constitute the largest single ethnic minority on campus. KASA has two goals First, Korean students hope to work with the seminary to better prepare Ko- rean-American students tor their unique ministry context. A typical Korean-American church is divided between tust-generation immigrants .ind second-generation members already familiar with American language and culture I \ ery Sunday in a Korean- American church there are two separate worship services going on at the same time/' said Kim. "In the main sanctuary is a worship service in Korean for the first-generation mem- bers, while in another part of the church, the younger members wor- ship in English." Most of Columbia's Korean-American students will focus their ministry on the second-genera- tion group. Similar generational divisions exist in Korean-American homes. "Because of the language and culture barriers, there often is little dialogue between parents and children," Kim said. Such divisions complicate the pastoral tasks of strengthening families and building congregational unity. KASA's second goal is to increase multi-cultural awareness among Columbia students. Korean-American seminarians are not the only ones facing a multi-cultural ministry setting. Studies predict that by the year 2050, Anglo-Saxons in the United States will be a minority ethnic group. "We at Columbia must ensure that all students understand the American context as a multi-cultural context for ministry," said Robert Ramey, professor of ministry and faculty advisor to KASA. "There's a growing sensitivity among the faculty to multi-cultural issues, and the presence of KASA will enhance it. Korean- American congregations are among the most dynamic within the Presbyterian Church, and we have much to learn from them." To develop cross-cultural contacts with fellow students, KASA plans to host campus events celebrating Korean culture and history. "Korea has a 5,000-year history," noted Kim. "We want to share our culture, our theology, and our perspectives on ministry with this campus." Greg Lund '95 New faculty, administrator continued from page / life of the greater church. His insights and scholarship have greatly ben- efited our work and worship as a community of faith." Dr. Bagley is heading the Office of Development and Seminary Relations, having joined the administrative staff after Vice President Frank Willey's move to Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Bagley comes to Columbia from Georgia Baptist Medical Center, where he had several administrative responsibilities, including director of marketing and managed care contract- ing for psychiatric/mental health services and chaplain. He is a graduate of Furman University and holds the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southern Baptist Theo- logical Seminary He has served as pastor of several leading Baptist churches throughout the Southeast and is in the process of transferring his ordination to the PC(USA). Columbia President Douglas W. Oldenburg said, "Gary has all the traits that are found in successful development officers. We are confi- dent he will continue the good work that has been done in recent years by our development office." D VANTAGE Professors Lucy Rose, Will Coleman '85, ami Chuck Campbell Faculty members earn Ph.D.s While a student at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Califor- nia, assistant professor of theology and hermeneutics Will Coleman met weekly with three other African American theologians to share experi- ences and ideas. Dr. Coleman credits the conversa- tion with helping him focus his own doctoral project one of the first comprehensive studies of slave narra- tives as a source for religious thought " I came to know what it means for African American men to work to- gether toward a common goal," Dr. Coleman writes in the acknowledg- ments to his doctoral dissertation, "A Study of African American Slave Narratives as a Source for a Contempo- rary, Constructive Black Theology/' which he finished in 1993. Dr. Coleman is revising his dissertation for publication by Penn State Press. In constructing the slaves' thoughts about God and church, Dr. Coleman read volumes of interviews compiled as part of a Federal Works Administra- tion project from 1936-38. The 20,000- page collection recounts conversion experiences, worship, and secret prayer gatherings. While historians, sociologists, and African American authors have used the narratives, Dr. Coleman said theologians have only recently turned to them as a resource. He contributed a chapter to a 1991 book, Cut Loose ) our Stammering Tongue: Black Theology in the Slave Narratives, that was the first effort to incorporate the materials in theological study. Like Dr. Coleman, two other Columbia faculty members have worked recently to complete Ph.D. projects as they continued to teach Lucy Rose, assistant professor of preaching and worship, and Charles Campbell, assistant professor of homiletics, have written dissertations on theories of preaching. Dr. Rose, who expects to earn the Ph.D. from Emory University in Mav, constructs a preaching model that describes the minister and congrega- tion as partners in faith. As a Ph.D. student at Duke University, Dr. Campbell studied Yale theologian Hans Frei to produce a preaching theory that seeks to understand each congregation as a "community of interpretation." Dr. Rose responds to three theories of preaching, all of which presuppose a gap that separates the minister from the congregation. She worked with Fred B. Craddock, Emory's professor emeritus of preach- ing and New Testament, as the dissertation adviser. "My proposal places the preacher and congregation together on the same side of the gap with text or meaning or the world on the other side/' Dr. Rose said. "The preachei is not the expert, not has the preacher had an experience that thecongrej tion needs to replicate i he preai hei and congregation share a common faith and ministi \ Beginning her Ph D, studies in 1989, she applied several methods ol literary criticism in ordei to learn how narratives generate meanings I Ins research, in turn, led her tOCOnstTUCi a preaching model m which the minister deliberately leaves Interpretation "open-ended so th.it the entire community engages with tin- mystei ies behind a text "When I read homiletu.il theor) no one was dest ribing w ha! I Jo v\ hen I preach," she said. "Hut when l read about what people were doing in the arts, it sounded familiar. I kept askm Isanybod) saying what l think I do?'" Dr. Campbell, in writing his dissertation, "Preaching lesus I |. m Frei's Theology and the C ontOUTS "t ,i Postliberal I lomiletic/' worked with theologian and ethicisl Startle) 1 lauerwas, w horn he had admired as .i master's student at ^ ale and w Kile .i pastor at First Presbyterian <. him h In Stuttgart, Arkansas |)r I lauerwas. in turn, called Dr Campbell's disserta tion "one of the best I've dire< ted "It is full ol rich suggestions ecclesiologically," Dr I lauerwas said "A focus of his dissertation is on how theology is ,i narrative prai ti< i? and how to embody that in the church and in teaching is .i demanding business." In his work, Di ( ampbell said he agrees with Frei that biblical interpre- tation and theology must be under- stood from the perspa tiveol partu u- lar faith communities I lis conclusions have influenced his own preaching by forcing him to "rely less on general human experience to set up issues and emphasizing the text more as .i starting point." Further, Dr. Campbell said semi nary courses on preaching should nol be geared to "the teaching of prea- h ing but the formation of prea< hers. Now preaching is taught as a method. But that is not really how it happens, it is a trait." Both Dr. Rose and Di < ampbell have worked to incorporate theil arch into the < lassroom. Dr. ( ampbell said he will use an up om- ing sabbatical to think about new teaching strategies; Dr. Rom tea< h. . a class, "Narrative Preaching," that she has refined during her stu< I . The dissertations and related research not only help elevate the seminary's reputation, faculty mem- bers said, but affet t the whole of seminary life. "When a faculty member writes, that is a sign that the faculty is learn- ing," said Shirley Guthrie, Columbia professor of systematic theology. "There is an immediate benefit U >l students when the teachers themselves are learning." Q John Turnbull '95 Library seeks congregational histories ini [ohn Bi lov\ < ampbell I ibran wants youi congregational history! In an effort to strengthen Its collet tion of historical material on the local PreSDJ terian ( hun h, the librai j seeks gifts ol published commemorative i ongre gational histories l oca! church histories pro\ Ide unique infoi matior foi indents, faculty, and \ [siting si holars and help familiarize < olumbia's ministers-in- training with the parishes they will oneday serve Ml congregational histories given to the librarj will be cataloged and processed foi the i in ulating book coll tion I he librarj is i ommitted to making the story ol Presbyterians in the Southeast and the nation available to all its patrons. I he librarj also welcomes dupli- i ate i "pies oi Minutes from f< u mei P< I Sand i P( i SA presbyteries in Hi- Southeast. Donated minutes mav help the library till In gaps In Its current colle< tion. rhese donations ensure lor the new IiIm.iis a Strong base lor its special colla tions ol Southeastern Presbj terian resean h materials. i tonoxs are reminded oi the .ii' hives ol the Presbyterian t hiuri h (USA) Department ol i listorj al Montreal and Philadelphia Minutes should nut be given to the [ohn Bulow I ampbell I Ibrary instead ol the Department ol i lister) . rather, the library seeks dupln ates Ol Minutes already in the Montreal or Philadel- phia ( ollCH lions. it you wish to donate a histor) ol yOUl I Ihii. h "i Minutes, please i "Hi. 1. 1 ( layton I lulel at the library. D 'Come See Columbia Day' set for March 30 I'm i,imi. Women i ri im a< ross the southern United state-, are invited for ' olumbia Friendship Circle's ''Come See< olumbia Day," March 30, 1994, on the < olumbia ampus I hiring ( ome See ( olumbia I a\ the i- re< ipientsol the 1994-95 olumbia Friendship < irele Si holarshps wiU Bpeak; Allen I luff of ' r annah Presbytery, Charles Vorderberg ol ( herokee Presbytery, Ri( k Douylliez of St. Augustine Presbytery, Insook Lee of Northea i I Georgia Presbytery, Doug Ferguson of I i ntral Florida Presbytery, and Margie Boyd of Salem Presbytery. I . >r more information about the Columbia Friendship Circle or "Come See Columbia Day," contact Barbara Poe, CFC Liaison, at 404/378-8821. WINTER 1994-95 Continuing Education Calendar For further information or to register for courses, call or write: Rebecca S. Parker, Director of Continuing Education, or Richard S. Dietrich, Director of the Lay Institute of Faith and Life Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA 30031/404-378-8821. December 2-3 Training Presbyters Leaders For presbyter) leaders for Commit- tees on Ministry and Preparation lor Ministry, and the Permanent Judicial Commission. Presbyteries are encourage to send the chairperson or moderati n and individuals nev\ I) elex ted in these areas I eaders William Holmes, Dick Baldwin, Richard ( ushman. Coile Estes, Charles Marks, Paige McRight, Eugene Witherspoon. Cost: $55, im ludes two breakfasts and lunch on Friday. December 2-3 WEEKEND LAY SCHOOL Ol BlBl I VNdThEOLOGI FORi B rRAL Ala- aia See article on this page January 9-12 COLUMBIA COLLOQUIUM See article on page!. January 27-28 COMMISSIONED 1 \- PREACHER Traininc. Pk< < ,k am FOR FLINT Rn/ER I 'i i - io 1 1 r , See article on this page. February 6, 13, 20, 27 Evening Lay ScHOOi oi Bibli \nd ["HEOLOGa See article on this page. March 10-11 CaringforOni Another Leader: Dr fasper Keith. Cost: $35. March 10-11 Rj i o N WD HWJ \l March 13, 20, 27 THE STEWARDSHIP Ol Moni v Leader: James Hudnut-Beumler. Cost: $35. April 17-25 Week in Jamah \ April 23-29 CONTEMPLATIVE ReTREAI FOR WOMEN April 23-26 MINISTRY Ol mi LaTTY CONFERENCl u MONTREA1 Leaders: Isabel Wood Rogers, Ed White, Jack Stewart. Cost: $95. April 24-29 Contempi vnvi Kiikiai for Men April 28-29 HAGGADAH: Tin PaSSOVI R NaRRATTV] I eader Rabbi Scott Saulson. Cost: $35. April 28-30 FELLOWSHIP GATHERING MEETING THE MASTER IN nil Moi MAINS AT MONIKI M Lay Preacher Training course set for Flint River Presbytery Students in Flint River Presbytery's Commissioned Lav Preacher Training Course will meet at Columbia January 27-28 for part of their training. Asso- ciate Director of the Library Clayton Hulet will introduce students to the seminary library. Charles Campbell, associate professor of homiletics. will lead a day-long seminar in preaching and worship. The Commissioned Lay Preacher Training Program in Flint River was designed by Rick Dietrich, director of Columbia's Lay Institute, in conjunc- tion with the presbytery. The 18- month program features seminars led by Columbia faculty and members of the presb) tery It also makes use of distance learning methods and re- quires extensive reading bv and practical experience for students. Among Columbia faculty partici- pating in the program's leadership are Charles Campbell, Richard Dietrich Lucy Rose, C.eorge Stroup, and Stan Saunders In addition, Walter Brueggemann, Charles I ousar, and Shirley Guthrie have taught class, way of videotape. Students who began the program in January 1993 will complete then work and be commissioned in June 1994. For more information, contact the Lay Institute. Evening Lay School planned for February Evening Lay School will i 'ik r courses in New Testament, prayer and spirituality, and ethics. The courses will meet 7:30-9:30 on Mondav evenings in February (Febru- ary 6, 13, 20, 27) on the Columbia Seminary campus. The Evening Lay School is sponsored by the Lay Institute of Faith and Life. Teachers include Dr. David P. Moessner, associate professor of New Testament; Dr. Robert Ramey, professor of ministry; and Dr. Charles Campbell, assistant professor of homiletu s Dr. Moessner will teach on the book of Acts. Dr. Ramey will investi- gate some oi the many byways along the Christian spiritual journey Dr. Campbell's course is entitled "Dimen- sions of Christian Friendship." Dr. Richard Dietrich will teach this year's Morning Lay School course. Morning Lay School will be held Thursday mornings in February (February 3, 10, 17, 24). Classes meet from 10:00- 11:30 a.m. in the Harrington Center on campus. "Apocalypse, Now?" will look at key passages from the book of Revela- tion, asking about their relevance in history and for today. Cost for a course is $35. For more information or to register, contact the Lay Institute. Lay Institute designs spring courses The Lay Institute of Faith and Life at Columbia offers a number of winter and spring courses, in addition to the Winter Lay Schools. In 1995 there will be courses in Christian nurture, religion and culture, and spirituality. Dr. Jasper Keith, professor of pastoral care and counseling, will teach a weekend course on how Christians care for one another. The course meets Friday evening, March 10, and Saturday, March 1 1. Dr. James Hudnut-Beumler, associate professor of religion and culture, will teach "The Stewardship i >l Money" during the evenings of March 13, 20, and 27. All aspects of the Christian's responsibility for material possessions will be fair game. Rabbi Scott Saulson, Ph.D., will teach a course on the Passover as an expression of Jewish spirituality and teaching. The course will meet over the Sabbath oi April 28-29 (Friday evening -.md Saturday). For more information or to register, call the Lay Institute. D Weekend Lay School offered in Alabama Lay people from central Alabama will meet December 2 and 3 at Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church in Birmingham for a Weekend Lay School of Bible and Theology offered through Columbia's Lay Institute of Faith and Life. The school will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and end Satur- day afternoon. Teaching in the Weekend School will be Dr. Shirley Guthrie, professor of systematic theology at Columbia; Dr. Paul Hooker, minister of Rock Spring Presbyterian Church in At- lanta; and Dr. Rick Dietrich, director of the Lay Institute. Dr. Guthrie will address "Chris- tian Faith in the Holy Spirit," and Dr. Hooker will teach "Isaiah and the Expectation of Christ." "Apocalypse Now - or Later?" is the title of Dr. Dietrich's course. The weekend will also provide information about the Lay Institute's certificate program in Spiritual Formation to be offered in central Alabama beginning in February, 1995. The program, open to 25 select students, will be taught by Columbia Seminary faculty both on site and via distance learning methods. It will involve two years of practical work in spirituality as well as study in the areas of Bible, theology, Christian nurture and practical Christianity. More information about the weekend is available from the Lay Institute or from Chapel in the Pines, 2269 Chapel Road, Hoover, AL 35226; 205/822-4210. For more information about the Spiritual Formation Pro- gram, contact the Lay Institute. Smyth Lectures held March 7-9 The Smyth Lectures, established at Columbia in 1911, will be held March 7-9, 1995. E. Brooks Holifield, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Ameri- can Church History at Emory Univer- sity, will deliver three one-hour lectures at 1 1 a.m., offering a survey of congregations and their leaders from the seventeenth through twentieth centuries.The lectures themselves will also address an unconventional theme: American religious history viewed from the perspective of congregations. Dr Holifield, author of five books, pined the faculty of the Candler School of Theology at Emory in 1970. Since then he has taught courses in Puritanism, John Wesley, Calvinism, Jonathan Edwards, U.S. intellectual history, and women in church history. 1 le is an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church. VANTAGE UT* ** Bishop K.H. Ting looks at pictures from Chum with reunion participant Edgar Richardson. Missionaries recall China service More than 160 Presbyterian mission- aries to China and the children of missionaries gathered at Columbia October 14-16 for a historic reunion. Participants from their forties to their nineties came from all parts of the U.S. to remember their lives and service in China. The effect of the missionaries' work seemed uncertain when Chris- tianity was banned as part of the cultural ferment of the 1940s and 1950s, but during the reunion week- end participants shed tears when they learned that Christian faith thrives and that their service is remembered. "For many, the whole China experience as a missionary or as children of missionaries was still unfinished business," said G. Thomp- son Brown, professor emeritus at Columbia, chairperson for the reunion's program committee, and himself the child of missionaries. Some of them were forced out oi China. That left scars, even after all these years." Bishop K. H Ting, president of the China Christum Council, con- ceived the event through contacts with Columbia Seminary and deliv- ered a major address in which he gave an update on the church in China and apologized tor the treatment of the missionaries "I want to apologize to former China missionaries and their families tor all the suffering wrongly imposed on them forty years ago," he said. "I would be glad if you take my pres- ence here as a token of healing and reconciliation in Christ." In worship, over meals, and in seminary classrooms, participants shared stones and passed yellowed photographs from a time when their service intersected with political and cultural upheaval. Yenren Ting oi the Amity Founda- tion, which trains English teachers and arranges for Bible printing, said the Bible now is the second most popular book in China after the works of Mao Tse Tung. Some 2.3 million will be distributed in 1994. There are now 10 million Protes- tant Christians in China out of a population of 1.2 billion, according to the China Christian Council. They worship in 8,000 churches and 20,000 house churches, depending largely on lay leaders to make up for a severe shortage in ordained clergy. Charles West, professor emeritus of Christian ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary and a mission- ary to China in the late '40s, said about the weekend, "We fell into the arms of people we had not seen for years and traded memories with people we had not met but who shared the same history. Bishop Ting was the occasion for this, but also the messenger. Thanks to his presence and report, we can participate in and support the mission of the church in China with new insight." John Turnbull '95 Colloquium continued from page / on Dying and i i\ i l he continuing education seminal [n Season and Oul will be held lanuaix 10 from 2-5 p.m. and fanuarj 11 from 9 .i in I J noon Colloquium's guest preachei is w. Frank Harrington, pastoi oi Peai htree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta I le will preach [anuarj 9 in and 1 1 si 7:30 p.m. Dr. Harrington co-chaired the Billy ( Iraham C rusade for Atlanta m October and is, haii ol the Board ol trustees tor Presbj terian * ollegeand Presbyterj ol ( Ireatei Atlanta's New Church I K\ elopment ( ommission. Alumni/ae activities will be held January 9-10. Wade I [uie who wa Peter Marshall Professor ol I lomil. h. . at Columbia from 1957 91, Will be the alumni/ae luncheon speakei on January l ' I le will tea< h a workshop, "Preparing tO Preach for I ent and Easter/' fanuary 10 from 2-5 p.m. and January 11 from 4 a.m. -5 p.m. As part of the alumni/ae acti\ i ties, the Alumni/ae ( ouncil holds its annual meeting Januar) 9 V luncheon Dr. Robert Bohl. center, moderator of the General Assembly, PC(USA). spoke October 4 at the seminary's Columbia Founders Dinner and later addressed students, faculty, and Board members on the subject "Theology Matters " With him are Dr. Frank Harrington '60, president of the Columbia Founders, and President Oldenburg union i lasses will be fanuary 10 at 12 noon including the classes ol 1945, 1950, 1955, I960 1965 19 1975 1980 1985 1990 and 1994 Dr. < ampbell w til address . dinnei foi women students and alumnae fanuar) it' at 6 p m, I hree .uldihon.il continuing education workshops will be offered fanuarj 11-12 [wan Russell [ones bssck late professor ol theology media and the i hun h, will tea< h Sai red [mages Religion and Populai ( ul run on fanuarj 1 1 from ! i p m Earl] Smith i haii ol the HIV/ ibcoinmittee ol ( hUTCh and So< ierj foi the Presbyter} ol [ampa Baj n ill lead > class titled, "i he P< 'i SA) \u ( hurch Has UDS/'on fanuarj 12 from 9 a m p m \i " "ii fanuarj 12, 1 uke I Johnson. Robert VV Woodmft Piofes soi ol New restamenl and ( hristiar 1 Wginsal the< andlerS hool oi i heologj w ill lead a workshop on the lettei ol fames from 9 a m.-5 p m c ost foi the workshops ranges from to $95. i "i more Information oi to register foi anj "i I olloquium i vents, call W4/378-8821. D Winter reading recommendations by Columbia's faculty A Widcucss in GoaZs Mercy by Clark Pinnoi I Ministry in the New Testament by I )a\ id i Bartletl All the Pretty Hoi \es and The I tossing bj < ormai M< ( arthy Principles and Practices o) I hristian I ducation An I vangelicai Perspectiveby Robert W. Pazmino A Whole New Life by Reynolds Pi ii e Homosexuality in the( hurch Both Sides of the Debate ed by leffrey S l >ii Six American Poets \n Anthology ed bj [oel( onarroe Growing in Authority, Relinquishing I ontrol b) < elia Ulison I lahn She Who Is The Mystery of God in a Feminist Theological Discourse b) I lizabeth Johnson Facingthe \busiveGod A Theology of Protest b) David Blumenthal Christian Dm trine (revised) by Shirley ( ( luthrie Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawn fhabvala A Violent Evangelism The Political and Religious ( onquest of the Amen a bj Luis N. Rivera There Are No Children Heir In Ale* KotlowitZ The Western Canon: TheBool and School of th Igesbj Harold Bloom / teked foi lutnihh i/ Storiesoj Blessings, Betrayals and Birthings by Renita I Weems New Horizons in Hemteneutics by Anthony I i hisi It. o i Poststructuralism and the New Testament Derridaand Foucault at the I ooi oj the L mss b\ Stephen D Moon How We i He Reflet tion on I ife I inai I haptei by Sherwin B Nuland Continuing the Reformation 1 \ay on Modern Religious Thought by Brian I lerrish The Wounded Heart oj I )od The \ nan < oncepi o) Han and the I hristian I to trineoj Sin by Andrew Sung Park The Souloj the American Univei nty I rom Protestant I stablishmeni to I stablished Nonbelief by George Marsden Eleanor Roosevelt Volume One, 1884 I933by BlancheW Cook TheSign ofOw Time The Secret Meanings of Everyday Life b) [ackSolomon Who Will Roll Away the Stone Discipleship Querie foi First World Christians by Ched Myers Sharing the Delirium ' I .eneralion AID^ I'Ln/ and I'fitoiinuthcsud. by Therese Jones New Directions in Mission and U ationed by James A. Scherer and Stephen A. Bevans Catholicism (revised) by Richard McBrien En La Italia (In the Sh I Hispanu Women's Liberation Theology by Ada Maria Isasi-Dia/ The Past Won't Stay Behind ) OU Poem by Samuel I l.i/o Continued on page 6 WINTER 1994-95 For the Record If you have recent news you would like to contribute to this section, please send it to the editor. Charles Cousar '58, professor of New Testament, along with Beverly R Gaventa, former professor o\ New Testament at C olumbia, | Clinton McCann, and James Newsome '55, professor oi Old Testament, published Texts for Preai king \ I a tionm u Commentary Based on the NRSV )em < in September. Dr. ( busar pre.u lied at the Newnan, GA, church and led an i (fficers' retre.it ,mu\ pre.u lied at Westminster i hurch, Knowille, TN William Bryant (DMin HI), member of the Board of Trustees, has been named executive director of the Outreach Foundation. He had been pastor of First i him h, \'ash\ ille. I'M, since 1981. Howard Cameron '54 has been assigned by Worldwide Ministries Division to a volunteer position in /aire to work with Rwandan refugees there Carol Boggs Clark '90 is pastor of the Wimberlev, TX, church Mark Clark '91 is practicing law m Wimberlev, TX C. Benton Kline, president emeritus and interim director of the library, led a workshop on The Book Oj Common Worship for a Northeast Georgia Presbyter} education event and a session retreat for the Roswell, GA, church. He preached at Agnes Scott College for Investiture Sunday in September Sarah Speed McTyre '88, assistant to the dean of faculty, led a women's retreat for Fourth clum h, Greenville, SC, a church retreat for the James Island church, Folly Beach, SC, and preached at First church, Vlm.i, AL. George Telford '58, director of advanced studies and aSSO( iate professor of theology and church, was part of a group of se\ en who met at Columbia to plan for the next Gospel and Our Culture Network consulta- tion. The group was charged with the responsibility of designing a "conver- sation among several cultural commu- nities for which the issue of the encounter between 'the gospel and our culture' is a living engage- ment." .... Lucy Rose, assistant proles sor of preaching and worship, led a workshop on preaching at the Wee Kirk Conference. She has preached at the South Aiken, SC, church John Gilmore, vice president for business and finance, was part of an Associa- tion of Theological Schools accrediting team at Canadian Theological Semi- nary, Regina, Saskatchewan Clark Simmons, director of church relations, was also named director of the capital campaign at the Board meeting in October Rita Cochrane '94 is in the Master of Theology program at Columbia Will Ormond '43, professor emeritus, preached at the Immanuel church, Montgomery, AL, in September. Scott Lawson '93 is asso< iate pastor of the [vyland, PA, church Mary Stewart Hall '90 is ( haplain at Methodist Medical c enter, I Jallas, TX Shirley Guthrie, profes- sor ot systematic theology, led a retreat for ministers ( t the Presbytery of South Louisiana and an officer training event tor churches in central > lei irgia I l<' pre.u hed and lectured at I irst , Inin lies. \!\ rtle Beach, SC, and Concord, NIC Robert Ramey, professor of ministry, has preached at First churches. ( ,r ilfin, GA, and Danville, VA. He led spiritual growth retreats tor I ake\ lew church, St. Petersburg, FL, and for Cherokee Presbytery Rebecca Parker, director of continuing education; was keynote speaker for Presbyterian Women at Northminster church, Macon, GA, and led workshops tor Presbyterian Women of ( herokee Presbytery and .it "C elebrating Our Presbyterian I lei it.ige" Day in Mobile, AL. She was guest teacher at a Sunday school Jass .it Redeemer I utheran Church, Atlanta John Patton, professoi "l pastoral theology, gave two lectUl on "Discovering Forgiveness: Psycho- logical and Spiritual Dimensions" at Valdosta State University. He pub- lished a chapter on "Forgiveness, Lost (. ontracts, and Pastoral Theology" in ///- Treasureoj Earthen I Vessels, edited by Brian Childsand David Waanders. Dr. Patton also wrote the "Pastoral Implications" section for the Novem- ber lectionary texts m / et tionary Hom/tefzcs, Vol. 5, No. 12. Ernestine Cole, associate dean of students, preached at Rice Memorial, and Trinity church, Decatur, GA. She attended the African American Pastors and Laity Conference at Interdenominational Theological Center Lee Wyatt (MATS 79) is pastor ot the St Andrew church, BIRTHS To Bob '90 and Beth Reese, a daugh- ter, Anna Elizabeth, July lb. 1994. To Clover '91 and Tim '91 Beal, a son, Seth Kandler, Aug. 31, 1994. To Paul '93 and Sarah Lang, a son, Daniel Burden, Sept. 4, 1994 To Scott '9? and Laura Worth, a son, Kyle Newell, Oct. 11, 1994. To Rebecca, director of continuing education, and Buddy Parker, a son, Joel William, October 12, 1994. DEATHS Benjamin Collins '53, May 19. 1994. Robert Smith '57, July 31, 1994. Burnell Chaney (DMin. '84), Sept. 1, 1994. Longview, TX James Newsome '55, professor of Old Testament, has preached at the James Island church in Charleston, SC, and at First church, Columbus, GA, where he helped to install John Bell '88 as pastor Will Coleman '85, assistant professor of theology and hermeneutics, preached at the South Highland church, Bir- mingham, AL, and presented a paper, "African American Religious Thought in a Post-Modern Context," at the international conference on Christian- ity and Modernization in Beijing in C >< tober Michael O'Neil '93 is associate pastor of First church, Lake Jackson, TX John Ragsdale '94 is interim pastor of the Orange Park, FL, church David Moessner, associate professor of New Testament, led a series at First church, Atlanta, on "Paul, at the End of His Career" for a Sunday morning adult class Wade Huie '46, professor emeritus, has preached at the Sequoyah Hills church, Knoxville, TN; Shadyside church, Pittsburgh, PA; James Island church, Charleston, SC; First church, Aiken, SC; and Oakland Avenue church, Rock Hill, SC. He has led a preaching mission at the Washington, GA, church and a seminar on preach- ing for the ministers of Providence Presbytery Ronald Cram, associate professor of Christian education, led an adult leadership seminar at the Peachtree church, Atlanta, and an adult Sunday church school class on "Feminism and Caring" at First church, Atlanta. As a recipient of a faculty development grant, he took mediation courses at the Settlement Institute, Atlanta. He has preached at the Hapeville, GA, church Tom Watkins '94 is in the clinical pastoral education program at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta Charles Evans '78 is teaching French and Bible at the Heritage International School in Kampala, Uganda. He is also continuing his work with Food for the Hungry International and the PC(USA). Gloria Jennings '90 (MATS '88), director of alumni /ae relations and associate director of the annual fund, has preached at St. Luke's church, Atlanta, and Covenant church, Augusta, GA. She taught at a retreat for Presbyterian Women in Toccoa, GA Sung-yul Kang, visiting scholar from Korea, has translated The Land by Walter Brueggemann into Korean Sara C. Juengst '83 has published "The Children's Sermon Instrument of Grace" in Worship Leader John Herndon '85, pastor of Fellowship church in Huntsville, AL, has over- seen the demolition and reconstruc- tion of the church building. Will Jones '96 was appointed the first voting student member of Columbia's Board of Trustees at the meeting in October Brian Childs, professor of pastoral theology and counseling, led a church officers' retreat for Morningside church, Atlanta and a workshop for Provi- dence Presbytery and the South Carolina Conference (United Method- ist Conference) for pastors on "Family- Systems and the Congregation." He participated in the annual meeting of the Society for Health and Human Values in Pittsburg and finalized a study guide for the General Assembly Task Force on Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia. Dr. Childs coordinates and teaches monthly "Ethics Grand Rounds" at Georgia Baptist Medical Center, Atlanta Walter Brueggemann, professor of Old Testament, has preached and lectured at the Presbyterian "Fig Tree Assembly" in Syracuse, NY; for the I piscopal Diocese of Utah; and at the Schooler Institute on Preaching for the Methodist School of Theology. He spoke at Druid Hills church, Atlanta, and lectured at Christ Church Cathe- dral, Indianapolis, and at Ursinus College. Dr. Brueggemann preached on All Saints' Day at St. Philips Cathedral, Atlanta, in a memorial service for the homeless. His recent publications include A Social Reading of the Old Testament, "Exodus" in New Interpreter's Bible, and an article in Biblical Theology Bulletin. Book recommendations continued from page 5 Religion and Race: Southern Presbyteri- ans, 1946-1983 by Joel L. Alvis, Jr. Reconstructing Christian Theology ed. by Rebecca S. Chopp and Mark Lewis Taylor The Oxford Book of American Short Stoi ies ed. by Joyce Carol Oates / at ing Evil by John Kekes Making Sense oj It All: Pascal and the Meaning of Life by Thomas V. Morris In the Face of Mystery: A Constructive Theology by Gordon Kaufman Giving Bnth Reclaiming Biblical Metaphor for Pastoral Practice by Margaret L. Hammer Skin: Talking about Sex, Class, and Literature by Dorothy Allison D Vantage Volume 86, No. 3, Winter 1994-95 Published quarterly by Columbia Theological Seminary Circulation: 25,000 The Office of Development/ Seminary Relations Editor: Juliette Harper Director of Publications and Publicity Postmaster: Send address changes to Vantage Columbia Theological Seminary P.O. Box 520 Decatur, GA 30031-0520 VANTAGE During the meeting of Providence Presbytery on October 9, President Oldenburg presented a plaque in memory of J. McDowell Richards to the Liberty Hilt, South Carolina, Presbyterian Church. Dr Richards, an alumnus of Columbia, was president of the --cm oiary from 1932-1971. He and Mrs. Richards are buried in the church cemetery. Accepting the plaque on behalf of the session were Margarette Richards (left) and Virginia Richards Sauls, first cousins of Dr. Richards Dr Richards' quote on the plaque is from an exchange of views with Ralph McGill, editor of the Atlanta Consti- tution, in 19b7, and reads: "Out of the difficulties of the present, we believe that there will come a stronger, a more consistent and a more effective church. It will be a church vastly i oncerned with and involved in contemporary issues and needs as was its Master, but which, like him. will continue to declare that God reigns and that life /> not merely a matter of the here and now. " From the Bookstore No. of copies New titles by Columbia faculty members: Looking for God in the Suburbs: The Religion of the American Dream and Its Critics, 1945-1 96 i by James Hudnut-Beumler Awake, Arise, and Act: A Womani->t Call for Black Liberation by Marcia Y. Riggs Retail Columbia price price $16.00 $16.00 $12.95 $11.01 The first volume in the new Columbia Series in Reformed Theology: Union with Christ: John Calvin and the Mysticism $lh.()() $13.56 of St. Bernard by Dennis E. Tamburello Total amount for books Georgia residents: add five percent sales tax Shipping and handling (orders under $20.00, add $4.00; from $20.00 to $49.99, add $5.50; over $50.00, add $7.00. All books shipped via United Parcel Service.) Total Method of payment (please check one): check payable to CTS Bookstore (included with order) VISA MasterCard Discover Please print information below: Visa /MasterCard /Discover # Exp. date_ Name (as it appears on card) Street address for UPS shipment: Address City State _Zip. Please send this completed order form to: CTS Bookstore, P.O. Box 520, Decatur, GA 30031 . . Development/ Seminary Relations By Gary L. Bagley, Director of Development and Seminary Relations '\ i con ro know w here j ou're going before you can know w ho von want to go with you says Sam Keen. 1 recalled these words aftei meeting with President Oldenburg in late Jul) and hearing his global vision foi c olumbia I hal same phrase came back to mind -it the end ol August (just a few days before mj offu ial first day) during the faculty retreat at which 1 listened to schedules being hammered out and proposals bj professors a\~\<.\ administrators for modifications to mee] new needs and changing times. While learning more about Columbia, l contacted Dr Daniel Aleshire a formei administrator at my theological alma mater who is now with the Assoc iation ol Theological Schools. Of the 220 accredited theo- logical institutions in the i fnited States and Canada, he told me that he places C olumbia in the top I I hiring those weeks of exploring the possibility of coming to Columbia, I became in- creasing!) delighted with everything 1 learned. One doesn't always have the opportunity to join such an energetii and gifted team as Columbia's. In Lewis Carroll's iu>\ el, Alu e in Wonderland, Alice finds horse 1 1 ,ii m intersection ol roads. Perched in a nearby tree is the Cheshire Cat. Alice looks at the different paths and then asks the Cat which road she should take. "That depends on where you want to go," responded the ( .it "( )h, it doesn't reall) matter/' quipped Alice. "Well then, it doesn't really matter which road you take, does il said he. In mv conversations with administration and faculty, trustees, students, denominational and church leaders, I've always had the feeling that Columbia is focused on its goals. And that makes me energetic about helping undergird this great endeavor for the future I pledge to give my best energy and wisdom to the task before me. Planned giving In the spring of 1993, the Board ol Trustees took a< lion to become more involved In Columbia's planned giving program. Working part-time, Richard Dodds '54, coordinator of planned giving, agreed to initiate tin endeai or. Since establishing the program/ 9h indi- viduals and /or couples have added Columbia to their estate plans; 17 life liuome plans have been established (charitable trusts or gift annuities) totaling $1 .2 million In September, / )avid Bridges assot iate dim tor of planned giving and the capital campaign David Bridges joined the de\ flop menl stafl .is .i full-time asso< late In planned gfa Ing and will be training u ith i m. k i lodds i >a^ id w 111 also assist C lark Simmons with ihe t ,ipital I ampaign in New Harmony Presbj tei j I >.i\ Id is a graduate ol the University i il k entui ky and I ouJ w ille Presbyterian I heological Seminary. I [e joins the stafl al ( olumbia aftei bsj \ ing as Intei \m assoi late i ta iti u ol I >v enanl I 'resbytei Ian ( hun h in Mai ietta, l leorgia i )avid has also \ ed .is assoi late minister al Peai htree Presbyterian ( hum h, Atlanta I le i omes w ith a "familj i x i Itage" "i planned giving profea sionalism. Well i >me, David! Alumni/ae A i las i agenl pn i is being established to build i losei ties between ( olumbia and its graduates i ighl members ol the Alumni/. ie Association are serving as a I ore Advisor) I ommittee to formulate and implemeni the program. i a i May, the Reverends l larry Barrow, lames Bowden, Berl .nun. hael, foan ( Ira) , I aurey Murphy, ( atherine raylor, William Wade, and I tebbie Zarretl met with ( lloria [ennings, director of alumni/ae relations, to Initiate this program < lass agents will serve a two-yen period, informing the seminary ol the persona] - oro ems ol alumni/ae and keeping alums up to date with the ieminary's programs and neei I < reated to be under the supervi- sion of the Alumni/ae Association I ouncil/thei lass agent program will enhanci communii ation and mutual support as Columbia and itsgradu- hrist and the church. Conference on Ministry for prospective students February 24-26, 1995 For more information or to register, call the Office of Admissions at Columbia, 404/378-8821 WINTER 1994-95 In 'Signs/ Columbia studies church-culture connection On Super Bowl Sunday last January, as the Dallas Cowboys an J the Buffalo Bills squared off in the C.eorgia Dome, a media crew from ( olumbia Seminary contributed to the hubbub outside. Filming the first segment tor what would become an eight-part series, "Signs of the Times/' [wan Russell-Jones, Columbia professor of theology, media, and the church, interviewed Emory Universitv anthropologist Brad Shore about football and American culture. Eventually Russell-jones would take his student and staff crew to shopping malls and automobile showrooms, wrecking yards and gyms to shoot the program's docu- mentary segments, which form the basis for discussions of Christians relationship to cultural icons Pro- duced for $25,000, the series aired September 27 through November 15 on AIB-TV, an Atlanta cable station, and will be distributed nationally for youth and adult Christian education. Ideas for "Signs of the Times" began forming in the fall of l c >93 in a ( lass of the same title taught by Russell-Jones and Will Coleman '85, assistant professor of theology and hermeneutics. With research assis- tance from students, faculty, and staff, Russell-Jones and others, including media assistant Alden Poetker, devised themes and storyboards for filming. In order to host group discus- sions that are part of the program, a television studio was constructed in Columbia's Richards Center with broadcast-quality lighting, sound, and cabling to a director's room upstairs. Construction of the studio brought more community involve- ment. Two faculty spouses, Brenda Smith and Lynette Cram, were responsible for design and execution Steve Mann '94 took charge of all technical aspects "We couldn't have done it without Steve," Russell-Jones says. "It was providence he was here at the time." In addition to providing technical expertise throughout the production, Mann, now on the staff of Peachtree Presbyterian Church, pro- vided studio direction for all the shows and did most of the final editing. Richard S. Dietrich, director of Columbia's Lav Institute of Faith and Life, called the show a "community project" from beginning to end. "Many of the faculty appear on screen, but there were students behind the cameras. And students and staff behind them, writing and researching." Among other things, senior Tim Slemmons wrote the music for the show. Each program strives to document cultural trends through interviews with Columbia faculty, professors of theol- ogy and communication from around the country, and with such dh erse voi< es as gun collectors and car salesmen The icons, or themes, eventually chosen tor production were television, the automobile, the gun, professional sports, the shopping mall, the bod) and the computer. "We do engage with culture and culture engages us," said Dietrich. "It is important to be in dialogue with these signs in ways that are aware ^nd critical." The show on the body proved the most challenging topic, said Russell- Jones, since it seemed to be set apart from other programs that dealt more explicitly with technology "It's so obvious in a way we've all got one but it's also this incredible icon of the culture, especially in advertising/' said Russell-Jones. "But it's not so obviously an icon in the way a car is or the television." For more information on the series or to place an order, contact the Lay Institute at the seminary. John Turnbull '95 Vantage P.O. Box 520 Decatur, Georgia 30031 CONTENTS New faculty, administrator 1 Colloquium '95 1 ( mint your blessings 2 Korean-American Student Association 2 Faculty earn doctorates 3 Library seeks histories 3 'Come See Columbia Day' 3 Continuing education events 4 Smyth Lectures I China missionary reunion 5 Winter reading recommendations 5 For the Record 6 From the Bookstore 7 Development/Seminary Relations 7 The making of 'Signs' 8 Second Class Postage Paid at Decatur, GA Publication No. 124160 COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY