October 26, 2021 | The 2021 Students’ Lecture on Missions series

Lecture series: “Fully Into the Present: Inventory, Metamorphosis, and Emergenc(i)es.”

Lecture three: “Emergencies”

Lecturer: Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, associate professor of worship, Union Theological Seminary

October 26, 2021 | The 2021 Students’ Lecture on Missions series

Lecture series: “Fully Into the Present: Inventory, Metamorphosis, and Emergenc(i)es.”

Lecture two: “Metamorphosis”

Lecturer: Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, associate professor of worship, Union Theological Seminary

October 25, 2021 | The 2021 Students’ Lecture on Missions series

Lecture series: “Fully Into the Present: Inventory, Metamorphosis, and Emergenc(i)es.”

Lecture one: "Inventory"

Lecturer: Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, associate professor of worship, Union Theological Seminary

Miller Chapel

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

… you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours

The Apostle Paul said we have already received every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. But we keep trying to earn a blessing, which can only be given. If there is a measure to spirituality, it is gratitude because only the grateful are paying attention to the two-handed giving of God. And only those who know they are blessed can be a blessing.

Miller Chapel

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

… I have worked for you like a slave

We try to save ourselves with hard work and responsible choices, but that enslaves us to being our own taskmasters. And we are merciless taskmasters. There is no justice in the father’s mercy to the prodigal, which makes the elder brother a little crazy. But devoting your life to getting what you deserve only leads to anxiety. And that is why the righteous also need salvation.

Miller Chapel

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Now his elder son was in the field…

In the church, the elder siblings are those who are hardworking, careful to follow the rules, and who never ran away from God. So the “I once was lost, but now am found” message is a stretch for them. But the point of the parable is not be the one who was right and careful. The point is to get into the outstretched arms of the parent and enter the celebration.

October 14, 2021 | Inaugural Lecture

Lecture: “Jesus and Dogs, or How to Command a Friend”

Lecturer: Dr. John Bowlin, Robert L. Stuart Professor of Philosophy and Christian Ethics, Princeton Theological Seminary

October 13, 2021 | Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library

Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library Dedication Service Keynote Remarks

Speaker: Dr. Lisa Bowens, associate professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary

Miller Chapel

Scripture: Numbers 35: 9-15

… you shall select cities to be cities of refuge.

Before the Hebrews crossed the Jordan River, the Lord told them to select six cities that will be places of refuge for fugitives who are on the run. Christian community is also called to be a place of refuge for those who are on the run. And we are all running all the time. But community invites us to rest in safety.

Miller Chapel

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-6, 13-20

The rabble were on the journey with the Hebrews through the wilderness, but they didn’t believe in the journey, the leadership, or the dream of a Promised Land. That’s because they also didn’t believe in God. So their tolerance for hardship was low and their capacity for complaint was high. But the most dangerous rabble are the voices of disbelief within our own hearts.