VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1 FALL 2003 TheSPie

Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Graduate Department of Religion, and Oberlin Graduate School of Theology

At the Bedside TheSPie Volume 24 • Number 1 • Fall 2003 Features

The Spire is published biannually by Vanderbilt University Divinity School in cooperation with the Office of Alumni Communications & Pub- 14 lications. Letters and comments from readers A Theology of Mediation are welcomed by the editor, and alumni/ae of the Divinity School, the Graduate School’s Peter C. Hodgson, the Charles Grandison Finney Professor Department of Religion, and the Oberlin Grad- of Theology, emeritus, comments upon the five decades since uate School of Theology are encouraged to first reading Paul Tillich’s The Protestant Era. submit news of their personal and professional accomplishments. Readers may correspond by U.S. mail to: 19 The Spire Office 115, John Frederick Oberlin When the Photograph Becomes the Picture Divinity Quadrangle Through prose and photography, Divinity School student 411 21st Avenue, South Jason Frazier presents his reflections from his field education Nashville, Tennessee 37240-1121 experiences in Mexico. by telephone: 615/343-3964 by e-mail: [email protected] 22 by facsimile: 615/343-9957 At the Bedside ______Genesis 7 Scholars from the University community 2002 by Sylvia Hyman, MA’63 James Hudnut-Beumler, exchange their perspectives on “the good death.” American sculptor Dean & The Anne Potter Wilson Distinguished (born 1917) stoneware and porcelain Professor of American Religious History 12” height, 18” width, 10” depth commissioned by Albert Werthan for Alice Hunt, MTS’96, PhD’03 the faculty office of Jack M. Sasson, 29 the Mary Jane Werthan Professor Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Bible and Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Bible Vanderbilt University Divinity School Images of Hell: Reading Paradise photographed by John Cummings Lloyd R. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Student Life Lost Through the Theology of Jonathan Edwards Victor Judge, BS’77, MS’79, Editor & Registrar American religious historian James P. Byrd of the Divinity School argues why the vivid Mark Caldwell, MTS2, Editorial Assistant “In the six hundedhyea of Noah’s life, images of damnation depicted by Milton and second monh, Jenni Bongard, Designer Edwards continue to fascinate readers. in the Christopher K. Sanders, MDiv’95, sveneenh day Director of Development and Alumni/ae Relations 37 on the of the month, Dr. Kent Kyger, MD’58, and Patricia Miller Kyger, BS’59, Christian Thought Worlds East and West on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, Chairpersons of Schola Prophetarum Alumnus Athanasios Bailey examines the cognitive gulf between Eastern and Western Christians. Anthony J. Spence, E’75, Executive Director of and the windows of the heavens were opened. Alumni Communications & Publications foty days and foty nights.” ______The rain fell on the earth Vanderbilt University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. —Genesis 7:11 New Oxford Annotated Bible © 2003 Vanderbilt University

Fall 2003 1 Our Featured Artisans

Painting Without Borders Scriptural Clay

he epiphanal moment occurred in of alphabetized retail, Roosevelt returned to of theological studies degree, Roosevelt f all the materials with which sculptor Borders Books. Employed as a “night the idyllic setting of his undergraduate secured a field education placement in the Sylvia Hyman, MA’63, has worked, shelver” in the Atlanta store, Benjamin years, Sewanee, to live a rather meager exis- Office of Cultural Enrichment at Vanderbilt Oclay remains her favorite medium. T “I have painted and worked with metal, but Roosevelt was assigned to the art section tence by working on a flower farm. But life University Medical Center where he develops where he arranged volumes alphabetically on the mountain also afforded him opportu- projects in art for long-term care patients. once I discovered clay in 1958, I believed I from Ansel Adams to Francisco de Zurbarán. nities to explore painting, an interest that had “Art has the power to render raw religious had found the solution to all that I had been When the night manager was not looking, haunted him since earning a baccalaureate in data because the expression of an individual’s seeking; however, I soon discovered that clay Roosevelt would take the books on Pablo religion at the University of the South in creative urge reveals insight into one’s was not the answer to my quest but the Picasso or Jean Michel Basquait from the 1998. During the four years he has been humanity and spirit,” states Roosevelt, beginning because I never run out of ideas shelves and study the paintings of the twen- painting, he has experimented with land- whose painting At the Bedside depicts the for the medium,” states Hyman, whose tieth-century artists while standing in the aisles. scapes, portraits, and conceptual composi- moment in a circumthanatological scene ceramic sculptures are currently exhibited in As he was shelving books one morning at tions. The 28-year-old native of Kingsport, when a person’s finite nature can no longer her first solo show in Manhattan at the pres- 3:00, Roosevelt decided that if he were to Tennessee, now practices his avocation in a be sustained by curative therapy and the tigious OK Harris Gallery in SoHo. respond to a calling to paint, he had to stand renovated attic in his east Nashville home mystery of grace intercedes — that interval Her creations in the trompe l’oeil genre before an easel instead of a bookshelf. Unan- that he shares with his wife, Elizabeth, a described by James Pace, a professor of nurs- demonstrate how clay can imitate wood, nounced, he walked out of the store and teacher at the Waldorf School. During the ing at the University and an Episcopal priest, fabric, and paper, and a remarkable example drove from the parking lot; his final glimpse summer, he was invited to exhibit his paintings as “a sacramental beauty.” of Hyman’s ability “to fool the eye” may be of Borders was reflected through his at the Zeitgeist gallery in Hillsboro Village, When Roosevelt is not in his studio, a seen in the faculty office of Jack Sasson, the rearview mirror. his first showing in a private gallery. patient’s hospital room, or the Oberlin Quad- Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Stud- After he made his egress from the world To fulfill the requirements for the master rangle, the artist may be found shelving ies and Hebrew Bible. The sculpture Genesis oversized art books on the 7, commissioned for Sasson’s office by Van- eighth floor of the Jean and derbilt University benefactor Albert Werthan Evolutionary Artist Alexander Heard Library, a and depicted on the inside cover of this place he finds more compatible issue, features silk-screened scrolls with for Sylvia with his temperament than the underglazed texts recounting the Flood. “I aisles of a mall store. Upon silk-screen the design while the clay remains Porcelain is the purest clay, kaolin decomposed earning his degree from the wet,” she explains, “then I bend and shape the where it lay, gathering no alloy along the way, Divinity School, Roosevelt clay to create the effect of a scroll or a book.” fine as old wine, pliant, elegant — like her. hopes to pursue a vocation in Upon seeing Genesis 7, Susan Ford Wilt- pastoral care that incorporates shire, professor of classics and chair of the No dilettante, she knew she was an artist from the visual and medical arts with department of classical studies at the University, the age of eight, claimed her calling full-time healing ministry. —VJ observed, “The oldest stories represented in when time allowed, mentor to many then and now. Genesis 7 are those that were saved in cuneiform on clay. Part of the genius of She traveled, taught, could not conceive a day Sylvia Hyman’s sculpture is that it preserves when the magic of her fingers would resist all these versions of the story in the enduring rolling the tiny beads she was famous for. form of clay.” The creative life of the 85-year- old artist is the subject for one of Wiltshire’s After arthritis, she smiled, invented new ways poems in her latest book, Windmills and of rolling clay, forming scrolls compelling as DANIEL DUBOIS Bridges: Poems Near and Far. Qumran, Benjamin Trefz Roosevelt, MTS2 A graduate of Buffalo State College in stacked in piles, gathered in baskets real as New York and George Peabody College for gardens. Teachers, where she served on the faculty of the art department, Hyman’s sculptures also Over eighty now, her racing hands cannot keep have been exhibited in Greece, Germany, pace Canada, Japan, and the Czech Republic. She with her laughing imagination, her evolving art, Sylvia Hyman, MA’63 is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement curious as chromosomes, surprising as genes. On the Cover Award in Craft Arts from the National Museum Photograph by Virgil Fox At the Bedside of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. —Susan Ford Wiltshire (first published in the Nashville Scene, 2003 May 22, 2003, page 62, reprinted with by Benjamin Trefz Roosevelt from Windmills and Bridges: Poems Near and Far, permission of the photographer) American painter page 44, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, 2002, (born 1975) acrylic and water-based oils reprinted with permission of the publisher on paper 22 1/2“ x 30” The original painting hangs in the faculty office of Trudy Stringer, associate director of field education and lecturer in church and ministries at the Divinity School.

2 THE SPIRE Fall 2003 3 Readers’ Forum

From the Editor The administration, faculty, and staff of In Flannery O’Connor’s short story “The Displaced Person,” the protagonist, Mrs. McIntyre, arranges with a Roman Catholic priest to employ a family of Polish refugees, or displaced persons, Vanderbilt University Divinity School on her Georgia dairy farm. When the elderly cleric, Father Flynn, begins to provide Mrs. McIntyre unsolicited instruction in the catechism, she rebuffs his efforts at conversion and dedicate this issue of exclaims, “I’m not theological. I’m practical.” For the 204 students who are pursuing graduate education this fall at Vanderbilt University The Spire Divinity School, the adjectives theological and practical are not antithetical but complementary of each other. Whether the students are attending a lecture in the Oberlin Divinity Quadrangle, to the memory of alumna serving a congregation, or working in a nonprofit service agency, they are investigating the questions which emerge when their faith traditions confront the perspectives and problems of contemporary life. At the Divinity School — an institution that is “committed to intentional Michelle Rebecca Jackson diversity,” a phrase attributable to Associate Dean Alice Hunt — the students are encour- (July 19, 1964 — June 18, 2003) aged to explore strategies for questioning and A Call to Restorative Justice and summer terms, students from the Divinity reconciling the theological tenets of their I appreciate receiving The Spire and look School, David Lipscomb University, and mem- traditions with the practical challenges of forward to each issue. I am prompted to bers of the Nashville community participated participating in a pluralistic society. write this letter regarding Christopher in a course titled “Theology, Politics, and In this issue of The Spire, we present a Kelly Sanders’ article “Prophetic Diversity: Criminal Justice in America” which was series of reflections upon the practical and AVision for Heirs Through Hope” in the taught at Riverbend Maximum Security theological question, “What is a good death?” last issue, and I quote three sentences: “A Prison. Inmates from Riverbend were permitted The inspiration for this theme stems from a university based divinity school is the to enroll in the course and to explore with the symposium sponsored by the Vanderbilt Uni- ideal setting for exploring the connection students the theological implications of the versity Medical Center’s department of pas- between religion and social issues. A American justice system. A course titled “The- toral care during the spring semester when university’s academic mission requires ology From Inside Prison Walls” will be the question was addressed by ethicists, opening a dialogue for the mutual under- offered again in the 2004 spring term when philosophers, and pastoral caregivers. Dean standing among persons with different participants will examine the writings and James Hudnut-Beumler suggested we examine views. Sometimes a university’s mission lives of individuals who have been imprisoned the subject further by inviting representatives also requires a leadership role of moral for their faith or who have discovered faith from within the School and the University to witness that involves taking a clear posi- during their incarceration. respond to the question. tion and making efforts to persuade others I also am pleased to inform our readers to see the new vision.” Remembering Professor Mills that in February The Spire received the award I applauded earlier an issue of Vanderbilt Thanks for The Spire’s of excellence for alumni/ae magazines at the Magazine which opened the dialogue tribute to Liston Mills District III Conference of the Council for the regarding capital punishment with two with whom I had Advancement and Support of Education good articles presenting opposing views. worked on a study (CASE). We share this distinction with Duke Now I suggest it is time for an article or focusing on stress University Divinity School and Furman Univer- series of articles on “Restorative Justice” management. Now sity, and we remain grateful to Jenni Bongard, with the Divinity School taking a “leader- that I am living in our designer from the University’s Office of ship role of moral witness and making the region, I look Creative Services, whose insightful understand- efforts to persuade others to see the new forward to sharing in ing and artistic interpretation of the mission vision.” the continuing edu- and commitments of Vanderbilt University cation opportunities of the Divinity School Divinity School are demonstrated in each or my quest continues, but I am no longer on a journey Mozelle A. Core, BA’46, MA’67 and Graduate Department of Religion and issue she creates for our community. —VJ Nashville, Tennessee becoming acquainted with the current where I will fall blindly into ditches. My path is lighted by God. faculty under the leadership of Dean Editor’s Response: Hudnut-Beumler. —from the biographical essay of Michelle Rebecca Jackson The theme of restorative justice will be exam- dated October 31, 1998, upon applying for admission to Robert H. White Jr., BD’64, DD’70 ined in an article by Lindsay Catherine Meyers, Vanderbilt University Divinity School MDiv2, which will be published in the next Jackson, Tennessee issue of The Spire. During the 2003 spring Diane M. Jones, scribe, of Sewanee, Tennessee, created the initial “F” in the Neuland style by using a flat brush and 1mm technical marker. Her design was inspired by a handwoven African basket. The photograph of Michelle Rebecca Jackson and Victor Anderson, associate professor of Christian ethics, African American studies, and religious studies, was taken by Donn Jones during Commencement 2003.

4 THE SPIRE Fall 2003 5 Navigating Beyond the Headlines

Practical Theology & Perennial Questions Continuing BY CHRISTOPHER K. SANDERS, MDIV’95 While there are no easy guides to the best Dale Andrews. Practical Theology for Black Director of Development and Alumni/ae Relations School with a superb collection of resources Education and that make it possible for us to prepare our new thinking in practical theology, current Churches: Bridging Black Theology and African Community Events Fragments of practical theology have dominated newspaper headlines this students to exercise their ministries in chal- and emeriti/ae faculty as well as alumni/ae American Folk Religion lenging situations and reflect upon those have written some imaginative and helpful Robin Jensen. Understanding Early Christian Art past summer. Questions of who can be married and who can lead the Church experiences. Gifts from the E. Rhodes and works in the field. A partial list follows: 2004 Relevant Religion Lecture Series Many of these selections will be available Leona B. Carpenter Foundation have Vanderbilt at Scarritt-Bennett Center David Buttrick. Speaking Jesus: Homiletic in local bookstores, and all of them are avail- have troubled Christians of all varieties for the last few months. The com- endowed scholarships, two faculty chairs, 1008 19th Avenue, South Theology and the Sermon on the Mount able through online booksellers. The students and the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gen- DAVID CRENSHAW bined effect of a court decision in Ontario, Canada, that grants same-sex Leonard Hummel. Clothed in Nothingness: and faculty of Vanderbilt Divinity School der, and Sexuality. Our students have the Monday evenings Consolation for Suffering hope you will continue to take part in opportunity to prepare for ministry by par- January 19, 26; February 2, 9 couples the right to marry and the U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas that struck down state the conversation about the kinds of practical ticipating in seminars sponsored by the Car- John McClure. Other-wise Preaching: A Post- theology that will renew ministry and bring “Prophetic Responses to Racism” penter Program while taking classes on litur- modern Ethic for Homiletics sodomy laws has suddenly pushed forward the question of same-sex marriage upon a polarized North reconciliation. with Forrest E. Harris Sr., MDiv’83, gy offered by the Luce Chancellor’s Profes- Bonnie Miller-McLemore. Let the Children DMin’91, assistant professor and director of the 1 American political culture. In what seems to be a coincidence, the confirmation of the first openly gay sor of the History of Christian Worship and 1 Come: Reimagining Childhood from a Christian See www.lambdalegal.org/binary-data/LAMBDA_PDF/ Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies the Arts. These same students may have just Perspective pdf/236.pdf. bishop in the Episcopal Church has reopened questions of ecclesiology that connect to issues of calling, taken part in a program made possible by the 2 Edward Farley. Practicing Gospel: Unconven- See www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/ Monday evenings same donor, the Henry Luce Foundation, tional Thoughts on the Church’s Ministry doc_doc_index.htm. March 1, 15, 22, 29 leadership, inclusion, and the authority of Scripture. 3 which provided the funding for our efforts to To see a complete set of pastoral letters issued by bishops globalize theological education through stu- L. Susan Bond. Contemporary African American of the Episcopal Church in light of Canon Robinson’s “Theology & Civic Empowerment” he responses to these developments in sanctioning relationships? And what dent travel to Nicaragua, South Africa, Thai- Preaching: Diversity in Theory and Style confirmation, go to home.comcast.net/~jason.green/pastoral.html. with Victor Anderson, have become the stuff of headlines as kinds of relationships qualify or disqualify land, and Namibia. Building on the tradi- associate professor of Christian ethics, African Twell. In the marriage debate, one one for leadership in a religious community? tional disciplines of theology, ethics, Church American studies, and religious studies Protestant senator shocked many other Beyond these basic questions are the types of history, and Bible, Vanderbilt Divinity stu- Protestants with a practical theology sound arguments that are made. Some participants dents examine the practices of pastoral care, Tuition for each Relevant Religion Lecture Series is bite when he referred to marriage as a sacra- in these debates appeal to Scripture, specific preaching, worship, and religious education $50, and continuing education units (CEU) are avail- ment. In other cases, the response has been passages as well as a more general biblical in light of emerging issues of gender, sexual- able. To obtain information regarding registration, you more systematic; the Congregation for the theology. Others make arguments from a ity, and globalization. may call 615/340-7543, write to [email protected], or Doctrine of the Faith’s Considerations Regard- morality construed from natural law. Still Ministry will always be hard work and log on to www.vanderbilt.edu/divinity. ing Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to others draw upon more explicitly theological seldom as glamorous as international travel. Unions Between Homosexual Persons provides language pertaining to the nature of the Negotiating with parish committees, provid- Community Breakfasts an example of a sustained critique of existing sacraments, which include marriage and ing pastoral care to an aging and ailing pop- and prospective developments.2 ordination in some traditions, as well as the- ulation, persuading adults that religious Thursday, January 29 The confirmation of the Reverend Canon ological understandings of the action of God. education is not just for children, and “Good is in the Details: V. Gene Robinson to the episcopate has elicit- Finally, others debate a morality of divine launching stewardship initiatives will often Ethical Formation 101” ed a similar variety of reactions. Although prohibitions versus an inclusive ethic based be thankless, challenging tasks. The mechan- with Melissa Snarr, only one of many issues debated at this on the life and ministry of Jesus. Ordination ics of these functions grow stale, not merely assistant professor of ethics and society year’s triennial convention of the Episcopal and marriage may disappear from the head- because of the inertia ministers face as they Church, the bishop-elect’s sexuality was the lines, but they are persistent concerns for the attempt to implement such projects, but also Thursday, February 26 only item that received any coverage. One Church. Debating whether to call either act a because ministers have had so little opportu- bishop opposing Canon Robinson’s confir- sacrament, determining who may marry nity for theological reflection upon these “Preaching by What Authority” mation based his views on a contrasting of whom, and discerning what is required of practices. Without the element of reflection, Dean James Hudnut-Beumler and the faculty of Vanderbilt University Divinity School with John McClure, morality and civil rights. Proponents, how- bishops and other ministers are all perennial there is no practical theology. Without practi- welcome the following new members to our donor society, Schola Prophetarum: the Charles G. Finney Professor of Homiletics ever, often spoke of the action of the Holy questions for the Church. The variety of the- cal theology, ministers can lose sight of the Spirit and God “doing something new.”3 ological, cultural, and moral vocabularies to scope and purpose of their practices. Fur- Thompson Patterson Sr. and Michael Eldred Thursday, March 25 Commentators have generally described the which interested parties appeal as they make thermore, the contexts in which ministers M. Douglas Meeks and Blair Meeks “Cuba after Forty Years: debate as civil, but it remains to be seen how their arguments will likely be a permanent serve the people of God are changing. Even Randy Smith and Beth Pattillo Reflections on Going Home” civil the differing sides will remain as new feature of our religious landscape, too. A if American ministers never leave the United strategies take shape. thorough grounding in practical theology is States, the world is coming to them through To learn more about joining Schola Prophetarum, please contact Christopher Sanders in with Fernando Segovia, The issue of sexuality is the obvious con- as important as ever for the preparation of demographic changes in every region of the the Development Office at 615/322-4205 or at [email protected]. professor of New Testament and early Christianity necting factor in these controversies, but the ministers and those who teach them if reli- country. So the practical theology that will The Divinity School community breakfasts begin at other bridge is the fact that they are both gious leaders are to navigate these contro- best serve the next generation of ministers 7:30 in the University Club and conclude at 8:30; the matters of practical theology. Whose relation- versies with vision and integrity. will encourage them to scan a broader world cost is $10. Reservations are required and may be ships are blessed by God? How do religion Fortunately, generous benefactors have of religious dialogue and international finan- made by calling 615/343-3994. and government share or divide responsibility provided Vanderbilt University Divinity cial and labor markets.

6 THE SPIRE Fall 2003 7 Around th From the Dean quadrAngle

To Err on the Side of the Doves VDS Students Rally in Support of Ordinance

n the Sunday following Easter, the but deep wisdom. Do not let your status as a When members of the Vanderbilt University Divinity School community attended a rally in Gospel lesson in our church was the Divinity School student result in your February at the Metro Courthouse to support the addition of sexual orientation to the Metro story of doubting Thomas. As is becoming a “slick answer” person. Code covering nondiscrimination in housing and employment, they and other supporters of O the ordinance were heckled by Fred Phelps and five members of the Westboro Baptist Church often the case, the children’s sermon was a Jesus himself told hearers to seek to be as preview to the theme of the sermon — in this “wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.” in Topeka, Kansas. case, identity. I asked my eight-year-old son This, too, is good counsel for today, for the The 73-year-old pastor said he came to Nashville “to preach to the perverts who were if he would like to go forward for time with world in which we live needs a healthy dose blaspheming the word of God” and to protest “putting the imprimatur of government upon the children. He passed on the chance and of skepticism from its religious leaders. I blasphemy and raising filth to a level of respect,” a measure he believes will bring “the same remained in the pew. The minister talked have never experienced a church, university, OUT & ABOUT NASHVILLE results as Sodom got” and for which supporters of the ordinance “will pay for in dearest coin about drivers’ licenses, passports, finger- or agency that did not have a need to have its in eternity in hell.” Phelps, whose previous protest in Nashville occurred at the funeral of Senator prints, and other ways we identify people. pretensions occasionally punctured with the Al Gore Sr., was recently the subject of national headlines for his intention to install a $15,000, She then asked the children how they critical insight of reason. One of the principles six-foot granite monument in Casper, Wyoming, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of would recognize Jesus, without an ID. One I hope you take with you into the places Matthew Shepard’s murder and his “entrance into hell.” came up with a great idea. She said, “Because where you will eventually work and serve is Divinity School Founder’s Medalist Christopher Mark Ferrell, MDiv’94, was among the MIKE ROBINSON, COURTESY OF of his long hair.” The minister had to point the conviction that faith is deepened, not council members who endorsed the ordinance. When the vote to add sexual orientation to the out that the other disciples probably had cheapened, by critical examination. While members of Nashville’s Metro Council code on nondiscrimination resulted in a tie, Vice Mayor Howard Gentry, who has remarked But let not the serpent have the last word; deliberated on adding sexual orientation to the that there is no evidence of discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered

PEYTON HOGE long hair, too. So we watched as one boy got one of those “idea looks” on his face and rather, remember the doves as you go forth Metro Code on nondiscrimination, Fred Phelps, employees of Nashville, cast his vote against the ordinance. Dean James Hudnut-Beumler began pointing to his palm. Called upon, he from this place. Doves are symbols of peace, pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, delivered the expected answer, “From the innocence, and signs of the spirit of God. condemned supporters of the ordinance during nail holes in his hands.” The minister When there seems to be a choice between a rally at the courthouse. beamed. Her work was done. snakes and birds, I say, “Err on the side of the My son, Adam, however, leaned over to birds.” me and asked, “How did they know it wasn’t Theologians and theological schools like one of the two thieves?” to talk about a critical embrace of the faith. Pulling Together At this interval of the service, I was glad The doves are a reminder that the embrace of The sanctuary at Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church on a summer morning is filled with singing Adam was still in the pew. Later it occurred faith is the important issue. “Embrace” is the children. Before starting a long day of activities at Nashville’s Freedom School, the children to me that a graduate theological education substantive term, which “critical” modifies have gathered for Harambee, a Kiswahili word that translates, “Let’s pull together.” is the process of learning to ask irreverent but must never overwhelm. Embracing faith Founded in 1964, Freedom School is a five-week summer education program coordinated but faithful questions. is the fundamental purpose of this education nationally by the Children’s Defense Fund and sponsored locally by Saint Ann’s. While the The truly wise person, goes the ancient we seek with you. nonprofit program focuses on enhancing reading and writing skills, the children participate proverb, is the one who knows what one In our diverse religious traditions, there is in a variety of enrichment courses including music, dance, art, athletics, and weekly field does not know. It seems ironic that one at least one agreement worth remembering. trips. The parishioners in the east Nashville faith community also host parent-empowerment should emerge from two or three years of Our deepest shared wisdom tells us that the dinners each week for the students and their families. course work with even more questions about spirit of God goest whither it will. Therefore, Five Vanderbilt University Divinity School students worked at the Freedom School this God and humanity, good and evil, creation my final charge to you is to “follow the past summer: Dawn Riley, MDiv3; Randall Duval, MTS2; Leigh Pittenger, MDiv3; Christophe and chaos, than one had before enrolling at doves.” You are becoming theologically edu- Ringer, MDiv2; and Dana Irwin, MDiv2. the Divinity School. It seems ironic, but it is cated not to be a cynic, but to be a lover of all Riley, the director of the program at St. Ann’s, inevitably the case, that the more one knows, that is true, good, and noble. So follow the developed the idea to start a Freedom School in the more one wants to know and that deep doves where they lead you. Trust that Nashville while working as a site coordinator and deepened faith are accompanied by a between your intellect and your passion, you at Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal deep thirst for knowledge. My first charge to will have what you need to minister and ful- Church. After Saint Ann’s accepted her pro- you as students at VDS is to help other people fill the purpose of your Vanderbilt education. posal, Riley helped raise over $30,000 through find what I hope you will discover during Remember the doves; think like a serpent, grant writing and local contributions. your studies—not quick and facile answers— and go in peace. Riley states the curriculum for the program is not religious in its orientation; however, Freedom School’s commitment to the worth of each child complements the mission of

MARK CALDWELL Saint Ann’s: “to seek and serve Christ in all

persons.” MARK CALDWELL Divinity School student Dana Irwin, MDiv2, and Freedom School student Kea Francis read “I like Freedom School because of the songs and from Alice Walker’s Finding the Greenstone. teachers,” says Kyrionna Golliday as she poses for the camera.

8 THE SPIRE Fall 2003 9 A Family of No Outsiders In Violation of God’s Law Dale A. Johnson, the Drucilla Moore Buffington “Cornelius Vanderbilt gave his gift to found United Methodist Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, Professor of Church History this University to heal the wounds of the Civil an adjunct instructor of Methodist polity at and editor of Vanderbilt War, so being asked to come here is very apt,” Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Divinity School: Education, explained Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop served as spokesperson for the National Contest, and Change, has Desmond Tutu when he spoke at Vanderbilt Council of Churches in an antiwar television been elected to serve as on April 16, 2003. Remembering the significant commercial produced by Win Without War, a president of the American outcries of American college students against coalition of organizations opposed to the Society of Church History. the racial apartheid that divided South Africa invasion of Iraq. He is the first person from from 1948 until 1991, Tutu remarked, “When- The chief ecumenical officer of the United the University to serve in ever I came to this country at the time univer- Methodist Church, Talbert was chosen for this office for ASCH. John- sities were giving final examinations, the the commercial that son will be succeeded by cockles of my heart suddenly warmed when I appeared on CNN and president-elect Dennis C. found students not engrossed in whether or Fox cable networks in Dickerson, professor of not they would do well. They were assembling New York and Washing- DANIEL DUBOIS history in the College of to protest their universities.” ton, D.C. to emphasize Arts and Science. Founded in 1888, the American Society of Church History promotes The chairperson of South Africa’s Truth and the opposition to war the study of the history of ecclesiastical experience and the historical interaction Reconciliation Commission, Tutu emphatically from America’s main- between religious expression and culture. reminded the Nashville audience, “You in stream churches. In an DANIEL DUBOIS this country helped us to become free. You article by Alan Cooper- helped us to become a country that is seeking to be nonracial and nonsexist. You did not bomb Above: Human rights advocate Desmond Tutu, COURTESY OF UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE man published on Friday, us into liberation,” he remarked, alluding to the United States’ invasion of Iraq. “We became Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South January 31, 2003, in The United Methodist free nonviolently. It was a specific change, a regime change, done peacefully. They sat down; Africa, was a guest speaker at the University Washington Post, Talbert Melissa Peterson, MTS’03, a member of the Bishop Melvin G. they negotiated; they debated. Our country was spared the bloodbath so many had predict- during the 2003 spring semester. “A major stated that he decided to Antoinette Brown Lecture Committee, presents a Talbert argued ed, and we demonstrated that there are other ways of dealing with difference, with disagree- victory over a system of injustice would not make the commercial after framed print created by artist Rashida Marjani against the ment, with conflict — the way of forgiveness, the way of compromise, the way of reconcilia- have happened without the support of the Methodist leaders failed Browne, MTS’99, to Mary C. Churchill, the 29th invasion of tion. You can never get true security from the barrel of a gun.” international community,” said Tutu, when in their attempts to obtain theologian to deliver the annual lecture at the Iraq during a Tutu concluded his address, which was sponsored by the Vanderbilt Speakers Committee, expressing his appreciation for the world’s a private audience with Divinity School. “Between a Rock and a Hard National Council of which the Divinity School is a supporter, by stating, “God says there are no outsiders in my assistance in helping repeal the apartheid laws. President George W. Bush, Place: Native American Women and the Question of Churches family, and if we realized we were family, we would never see the casualties of war. We must a member of the United of a non-Christian Theology” was the subject of television embrace all — God says all.” Methodist denomination. Churchill’s address. An assistant professor of commercial. In the commercial, women’s studies and religious studies at the Uni- actor Janeane Garofalo asked, “If we invade versity of Colorado at Boulder, she researches the complex historical and contemporary interaction

Iraq, there is a United Nations’ estimate that DANIEL DUBOIS First Honors up to half a million people will be killed or between religion and gender in Native American cultures. Established in 1974 with a gift from Sylvia Sanders Kelly, BA’54, the Antoinette Left: Heather Renee Cash, MTS’03, of Princeton, Kentucky, received the Founder’s wounded. Do we have the right to do that to a country that’s done nothing to us?” Brown Lecture commemorates the life of the first woman in the United States to be ordained to Medal for first honors in the Divinity School during commencement exercises the Christian ministry. The 30th lecture will be delivered on Thursday, March 25, 2004, by the on May 9. Vanderbilt University Chancellor Gordon Gee conferred the honor “No nation under God has that right,” explained Talbert in the advertisement. “It Reverend Doctor emilie m. townes, the Carolyn Williams Beaird Professor of Christian Ethics at on Cash who earned the master of theological studies degree. Union Theological Seminary in New York. The 84th Founder’s Medalist in the history of the Divinity School, Cash violates international law; it violates God’s enrolled at the University after she was graduated from Centre College where law and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Iraq she received a baccalaureate in religion. At VDS, her interest in the role of hasn’t wronged us. War will only create religion in the global community motivated her to travel during the 2002 fall more terrorists and a more dangerous world semester to Chiang Mai, Thailand, as a Henry Luce Foundation intern from for our children.” Donald F. Beisswenger, professor of church and community, emeritus, the Divinity School’s field education department. has been presented a national award from the Presbyterian Health, Assigned to the New Life Center in Chiang Mai, Cash worked with young Education, and Welfare Association for his work of service to social girls from the Hill Tribes, the ethnic minorities living in the mountainous justice. The organization honored Beisswenger for his work in regions of northern Thailand. By teaching them basic life and work skills, she industrial ministry, civil rights, homelessness, affordable rental helped to provide the girls an alternative to a life of prostitution in Thailand’s housing, and third world debt. He also has received the Distin- sex industry. guished Citizens Citation from Macalester College in Saint Paul, Cash aspires to apply her theological education on an international level by Minnesota, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of being gradu- pursuing a doctor of jurisprudence degree and eventually working in a nonprofit ated from the college. organization dedicated to promoting women’s rights. In this commencement photograph, Cash receives the Founder’s Medal from Divinity School Dean James Hudnut-Beumler as Martha R. Ingram, chairman of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, observes the presentation. DANIEL DUBOIS

10 THE SPIRE Fall 2003 11 VU Welcomes Guest Clerics Shock and Awe of Another Persuasion

Divinity School Dean James Hudnut-Beumler But, and here’s the crucial but: peace peo- ple know deep down there is a real danger in was among the members of the Vanderbilt Uni- this war of attaining victory and losing the peace. We are, right now, undermining cred- versity community who spoke during a peace ibility with the Arab world and our allies. A clear victory in preemptive war is a clear and rally at on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, on Rand present danger to our values, to our state- Terrace. The following excerpt is from his speech craft, and to our troops. …The 21st century is shaping up to be a titled “Shock and Awe.” struggle between people and groups who want to be free to believe and live as they wish and those who want to force people to Shock and Awe did not work out the way it live “the right way.” This is the challenge of was planned. The Iraqis did not quit and radical Islam to the secular West. The big pic- welcome us with open arms. But it worked ture is freedom versus force—not really faith on me. I am shocked that my country is against faith. Muslims can be good Ameri- using preemptive war as a tool of maintain- cans, and God knows Christians can be very ing its global hegemony. I am shocked that it puritanical toward others. is being wrapped up in a pack- age of “Iraqi freedom.” I am DAVID CRENSHAW “Every ambitious would-be empire clarions not only shocked, I am also Forrest Elliott Harris Sr., MDiv’83, awed. I am awed by the sight it abroad that she is conquering the world DMin’91, director of the Kelly Miller of Democrats lined up to say, Smith Institute on Black Church Studies “Me too.” “Let’s support our to bring it peace, security, and freedom, and and president of American Baptist College, troops.” “Let’s make sure we was honored at the annual award dinner win big time.” is sacrificing her sons [and daughters] of the Nashville Opportunities Industrial- Here is the reason for my ization Center for his commitment to com- awe. It is as though no one in only for the most noble and humanitarian

DANIEL DUBOIS munity organization and human rights. A the government is taking the past president of the Oak Ridge Branch of long view on preemptive war purposes. That is a lie; and it is an ancient Above: When His Eminence Professor Demetrios the NAACP, Harris was instrumental in in a global context. Fundamen- lie, yet generations still rise and believe it.” Trakatellis, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox helping to establish the Black Church tally, if you really care about Archdiocese of America, visited Nashville during Historian Society of Nashville and Tying the long-term future and safety —Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) the summer for a regional conference for clergy Nashville Together, a grassroots interracial of this country, the movement and laity, he was the guest at a reception hosted denominational advocacy group. He has toward true freedom in by Nicholas S. Zeppos, provost and vice chan- served on the boards of the Nashville Cen- oppressed nations ruled by dictators and …Freedom is not free; propagating free- cellor of academic affairs and professor of law, ter for Black Family Life, the Tennessee dictatorial regimes, and the women and men dom by a calculated policy of easy resort to and James Hudnut-Beumler, dean of the Divinity Citizen’s Commission on TennCare, the who serve to defend the nation, you need to force is self-defeating. But, you say, “There is School. Among the professors from the University United Way of Middle Tennessee, the speak up for peace. a war on; what should I do?” Keep up the community who welcomed His Eminence Nashville Sports Authority, and the Ford Last week, I saw in the Vanderbilt Hustler pressure. Delegitimate the strategy of pre- Archbishop Demetrios and His Eminence Foundation Funded Project for Graduates. a cartoon which showed aging peace protesters emptive force so that we get leaders who will Metropolitan Nichols of Detroit to the Divinity The mission of OIC is “to provide education, holding their predictable signs. One protester pursue freedom with freedom’s methods School were Dale A. Johnson, Mark Justad, training, counseling, and job placement asks another, “Psst, what’s the latest news in and not by parroting our long-term foes. If Diane Sasson, Daniel Patte, Dean Hudnut- services for citizens of the community who the war?” The clear implication is that peace you care about the troops, if you care about Beumler, Provost Zeppos, Lenn Goodman, are disadvantaged economically, educa- people should not care or pay attention to your future security, if you care about the Associate Dean Alice Wells Hunt, Jack Sasson, tionally and socially; these services are what happens to coalition forces or to Iraqis. world—if you care about justice, true free- and Robert Drews. provided to those who are unemployed or Most of us want the Iraqis free from Baathist dom, and peace—you will keep the pressure underemployed and lack the requisite skills oppression. Most of us want minimal casual- up before this pox-Americana destroys our to secure and retain jobs commensurate ties and for our troops, at least, to behave way of life and all we hold most dear for all with their capabilities.” decently toward prisoners of war and civilians. of humanity and not for just ourselves. DANIEL DUBOIS

His Eminence Professor Demetrios Trakatellis, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, inscribes the Greek New Testament of Divinity School guest Shirley Kelley of Nashville.

12 THE SPIRE Fall 2003 13 A Theologian of Mediation

unconditional in thinking and acting. It is the Union where Tillich and Niebuhr had just atrous confusions of divinity and humanity, my own later preoccupation with Hegel Personal Recollections from Half a Century prophetic judgment against religious pride, retired. I studied with Robert Calhoun, H. and in its belief that estranged humanity can reflects a similar mental confusion. Hegel BY PETER C. HODGSON, ecclesiastical arrogance, and secular self-suf- Richard Niebuhr, Julian Hartt, George Lind- be saved only by the reconciling act of divine does have a Puck-like capacity to cause The Charles Grandison Finney Professor of Theology, emeritus ficiency and their destructive consequences” beck, Hans Frei, Claude Welch, James self-giving (pp. xxvii–xxviii). It is just this people to lose their senses. (p. 163). Gustafson—and this was just in the field of creative liberal-orthodox tension that is But this is getting ahead of the story. When Peter C. Hodgson accepted an appointment to the faculty of Even if the Protestant era should come to theology and ethics. I took several courses in weakened or destroyed, so it seems to me, by Before I continue further I would like to an end, the Protestant principle will live on, Bible and was influenced by the three Pauls the deconstructive, postliberal, and radically mention that Eva and I met at a Student Vanderbilt University, The Tennessean announced his arrival in an for “it is the ultimate criterion of all religious of the New Testament faculty: Schubert, orthodox theologies in our own time. I Christian Movement conference in Maine in and all spiritual experiences; it lies at their Minear, and Meyer. Calhoun was one of the remain, like Tillich, a theologian of mediation. June of 1958. She was in the discussion group article titled “VU To Get Theology Aide: Hodgson Assumes Post base, whether they are aware of it or not.” It old Yale liberals and a truly brilliant scholar I was reinforced in this orientation by my I was leading and could quote Bultmann and emerges out of the manifestations of the of historical theology: he quoted Greek and doctoral dissertation, which was a study of other German theologians due to her studies September 1, 1965.” During the 38 years of his tenure, Hodgson has unconditional in the depth and breadth of Latin texts from memory. Niebuhr also was the nineteenth-century historical theologian with Leander Keck, a former Vanderbilt experience. For Tillich, the critical-prophetic formed by the liberal tradition and had written Ferdinand Christian Baur to whom I was Divinity School faculty member who began distinguished himself as an educator whose teaching and research in and the sacramental-mystical dimensions are his dissertation on Ernst Troeltsch, but he introduced by Paul Schubert. This was my his career on the faculty of Eva’s college. historical and constructive theology has indeed “aided” the intellectual closely connected. “Religion, like God, is was critically appreciative of the neoorthodoxy first sustained effort to reflect theologically Moreover, she could quote the theologians in omnipresent; its presence, like that of God, represented by his brother and a certain on the meaning of history. Through Baur I German. This was quite impressive, but

STEVE GREEN formation of each student who enrolled in his courses. A theologian can be forgotten, neglected, or denied. But it Swiss theologian. The “Young Turks”—Lind- also had virtually my first exposure to Hegel. equally impressive was the presence of Eber- is always effective, giving inexhaustible beck, Frei, and Welch—were reading Karl I say “virtually” because my first exposure hard Bethge as the keynote speaker, who told who demonstrated continual leadership in graduate education, Hodgson served three terms as chair of depth to life and inexhaustible meaning to Barth and espousing his ideas, which came through a very eccentric visiting pro- us about his editorial work on the papers of every cultural creation.” In the power of the became the next powerful force in my theo- fessor at college. In a course on nineteenth- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which were just then the Graduate Department of Religion and was a member of the Faculty Senate, the Graduate Faculty New Being that is manifest in Jesus as the logical education. I produced over a hundred century philosophy, he was still lecturing on being published. Christ, critical and formative power are united: single-spaced pages of notes on the Church Hegel in December; only then did he profess Council, the University Research Council, the Graduate Dean Search Committee, and the University God gives godself in a form that negates Dogmatics. Although I wrote on Calvin and to learn that this was a one-semester, not a A Second Theological Education Committee on Promotion and Tenure. Upon the occasion of his retirement in May 2003, the Vanderbilt itself, the form of the cross (pp. xxii–xxiii). Tillich for my credo in systematic theology, two-semester course. Some would say that After two years of teaching in San Antonio, Heady words for a teenager, but they set the Barth’s influence remains with me Texas, I came to Vanderbilt Divinity School University Board of Trust awarded the title “professor, emeritus” to Hodgson, and Divinity School course of my life. to this day. in the fall of 1965. One anecdote about Texas: I went on to read that for Tillich the most Before leaving Tillich, I would We drove out into the Texas hill country and Dean James Hudnut-Beumler established the Peter C. Hodgson Fellowship for a student enrolled in the important practice was the application of like to mention one other aspect Eva asked, “Where are the hills?” So we these ideas to the interpretation of history, of his thoughts that still impresses moved to Middle Tennessee where there are Graduate Department of Religion. and that history had been the central problem me. He states (in the introduction certifiable hills. Here at VDS I experienced a of his theology and philosophy since the end to The Protestant Era) that his the- new set of exposures and challenges. began reading theology exactly half a ries as a boy of the attack on Pearl Harbor, of World War I. This idea, too, resonated ology is an attempt to overcome Through the influence of Ray Hart and century ago. The first book of theology the battles of Europe and the Pacific, the with me because I chose history as a major in the conflict between liberal and Robert Funk, I began reading Heidegger and Ithat I purchased was Paul Tillich’s The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the college and became preoccupied with ques- neoorthodox theology. “It intends became interested in the post-Heideggerian Protestant Era, published in 1948 by the Berlin Airlift, the spread of Communism, tions about the meaning of history. It is no to show that the alternative “new hermeneutic” represented by Heinrich University of Chicago Press. I still have this and the Korean War. I experienced all of coincidence that my second theological book expressed in those names is not Ott, Ernst Fuchs, and Gerhard Ebeling. Ebeling volume with my name and the date 1953 these events from a safe distance, but Eva, was Reinhold Niebuhr’s Faith and History, valid; that most of the contrasting especially impressed me because of his inscribed on the inside cover, and I remember my wife, experienced them at firsthand as a which also is inscribed with the date 1953. statements are expressions of an engagement with questions of faith and his- reading the book during the summer follow- war refugee. One of the bittersweet ironies of Although I majored in history, I took several obsolete stage of theological tory. I decided to take my leave in 1968–69 at ing my first year in college. life is that without the war we would not courses in religion, and the classes taught by thought.” Theology based on the the University of Tübingen, only to discover This was quite an extraordinary book for a have met. Paul Ramsey had the most powerful impact. Protestant principle is liberal in its that Ebeling was departing for Zürich. In 19-year-old to pick up and to read on his In The Protestant Era Tillich sets forth his Ramsey was a preacher at heart, and I still commitment to historical criticism, Tübingen I attended lectures by Ernst Käse- own. The Protestant Era resonated powerfully idea of “the Protestant principle” (pp. xi–xvi). remember him perspiring profusely as he in its recognition that Christianity mann, Jürgen Moltmann, and Hans Küng with me and still does 50 years later. The sec- This principle, he says, had a special historical spoke with passion about Augustine and cannot be considered in isolation and participated in the very active Auslän- ond book of Tillich’s to be published in Eng- embodiment in Protestantism, even though Kierkegaard. In the spring of my junior year from the religious, cultural, derkolloquium, which heard the inside story lish after he came to the United States in it transcends Protestantism and is present in I had a chance to meet Tillich and Niebuhr at psychological, and sociological of Küng’s struggles with the Vatican, of 1933, it contains essays written between 1922 all the great religions of humankind. It a “seminary day” sponsored by Union Theo- development of humanity, in its Moltmann’s involvement in the Christian- and 1945. I have reread the introduction he expresses one side of the divine -human rela- logical Seminary. It was a moving experience, rejection of any dualism between Marxist dialogue, and of Käsemann’s wrote for the collection, and I am amazed at tionship—the other side being what Tillich but equally moving was a visit to the East nature and grace, and in its affir- participation in liberation movements. These the extent to which many of the questions I came to call “Catholic substance” or “the Harlem Protestant Parish, and I had the naïveté mation of the humanism of the were turbulent times, and the University was have been concerned with for 50 years are sacramental principle.” The Protestant prin- to ask whether one could really consider Chris- Renaissance and the Enlighten- shut down for a good part of the spring by foreshadowed by it. Tillich describes how ciple, writes Tillich, “contains the divine and tian ministry as a vocation without a willing- ment. But it is orthodox in its student strikes. much his views were shaken by the events of human protest against any absolute claim ness to make the personal sacrifices required regard for Scripture as the revela- Situations were changing, too, at home. In World War II, and I think the book spoke made for a relative reality, even if this claim by such a ministry among the urban poor. tion of God, in its recognition that the spring of 1968 practically the whole powerfully to me because my generation, too, is made by a Protestant church.... It is the In any event, I chose to attend Yale Divinity the history of religion and culture Divinity School went to Memphis to march was shaken by those events and their after- guardian against the attempts of the finite School, not Union Theological Seminary. is a history of permanent demonic after the assassination of Martin Luther King math, the Cold War. I still have vivid memo- and conditioned to usurp the place of the Yale was in its heyday and about to eclipse distortions of revelation and idol- Jr. His death was followed by the assassination

14 THE SPIRE Fall 2003 15 Lawson had been in a dialectical method that demands a cri- themes of God, creation, and redemption viously silenced or marginalized voices has increasing numbers opted out of institution- expelled for lead- tique of all existing forms of thought and (preserving the deep truth of the tradition by been heard: Latin American, African American, al Christianity entirely, discouraged by the ing the Nashville praxis, including its own. It is a version of letting old forms pass away), but also Hispanic, Asian, African, feminist, womanist, intransigence and blindness of the church on sit-ins. This course Tillich’s Protestant principle. For about a addresses the most penetrating problems of mujerista, gay/lesbian/bisexual. Theological many issues; thus, the mix of people making changed my life decade I was involved in editing and trans- its own time, seeking solutions that are both discourse has been greatly enriched but also up congregations has shifted. The church is in many ways lating a critical edition of Hegel’s Lectures on practical and visionary. These problems, as I made much more complicated. We have losing its vital center. This is partly a result of because it ex- the Philosophy of Religion. Now, twenty years see them, focus on the issues of social justice, come to appreciate the value of difference, a failure in leadership: we have not recruited posed me to the later, I am writing a monograph on Hegel and ecological awareness, and peaceful dialogue. but often at the price of no longer being able and trained in sufficient numbers the intellec- history and lit- Christian Theology that offers a theological I am intrigued by the possibilities of a lib- to grasp the whole or to articulate common- tually talented and ethically committed pas- erature of black interpretation of the lectures. I had thought eration theology that finds the connections alities. We have come to recognize that our tors who could hold and expand the center. religion and that by now someone else would have taken between social justice and eco-justice, of an theological constructions are deeply shaped Liberal theological education shares respon- made me aware up this task, but it seems to have been left to ecological theology that is able to work out a by our angle of vision, social interests, and sibility for this failure, but the solution, in my of the depth and me; furthermore, I am testing what I call new philosophy and theology of nature, and cultural-linguistic identities to such an extent judgment, is not to reverse direction. intransigence of Hegel’s non-totalizing holism against the of a comparative theology opened up by that we wonder whether our thoughts can Vanderbilt University Divinity School has racism. A couple critiques of Levinas and others. been at the forefront of liberal theological of years later I From the late ’80s into the first year of the “The churches have been moving in the direction of confessional education for over half a century, and I have tried to work out new millennium, I wrote works in construc- been privileged to be a member of the faculty my own theology tive theology: God in History, Revisioning the identity and homogeneity; the study of religion and theology has been for the past 38 years.1 The Quadrangle has of liberation in a Church, Winds of the Spirit, God’s Wisdom, and been a good place for me. I have had won- book called New Birth Christian Faith: A Brief Introduction. These moving toward diversity and pluralism. The exponential growth in derful opportunities here and many good of Freedom even as I works have had, I am afraid, only a modest memories along with occasional frustrations. became aware of my impact, and it is clear that I have not succeeded predominantly conservative and fundamentalist forms of Christianity The special mix we enjoy between theological complicity in the very in igniting a theological vision for the new at the expense of critical and prophetic theology is painful to witness education and graduate studies in religion, Portrait of problems I was trying to millennium. Perhaps such a vision is simply in the context of a university with a wealth of the German philosopher solve. I have described this peri- beyond the reach of our time. I also ventured resources, should be cherished and pre- Georg Wilhelm for a radical liberal such as I.” Friedrich Hegel od in my life from 1968 to 1974 as across disciplinary boundaries with a study (1770–1831) the loss of innocence and my second of theology in the fiction of the Victorian by Bollinger after Christian Xeller Hegel-Archiv der Ruhr-Universität Bochum theological education. novelist George Eliot (Marian Evans), who I interreligious dialogue. These three tasks are, also be viewed in any sense as believe was a profoundly religious thinker. I believe, connected. For the first time in its responses to the revelation of of Robert Kennedy, the urban riots resulting The Holistic Vision of Hegel In this connection I discovered that literary history, Christian theology is in a position to ultimate reality. Is our language, from the unfulfilled promises of the civil My preoccupation with Hegel began in the critics are not eager to have their territory engage seriously in the truths revealed by in Paul Knitter’s deft phrase, a rights movement, the escalation of the war in late ’70s. This was partly motivated by a invaded by a theologian, and several of them other religions. Tillich, in his last published prison or a prism? Vietnam, and the Soviet invasion of Czecho- course I was teaching on nineteenth-century panned the manuscript. John Bowden of writing, suggests that the whole of systematic This burst of theological slovakia (on the day we arrived in Germany). theology. But I was also searching for a SCM Press accepted it, saying that he recog- theology will have to be rethought in light of energy has been confined mostly I was deeply affected by these events and philosophical framework in relation to nized George Eliot in what I had written the history of religions, and his own rethinking to academic circles, and the began looking for a way to connect theology which I could think theologically. I was whereas he did not recognize her in several pointed toward a “religion of the Concrete gulf between academy and with political and social issues. In the spring attracted for a while, as I have mentioned, to recently published biographies. I concluded Spirit.” Concrete Spirit is concrescent Spirit, church seems deeper than ever. of 1970 and for several years thereafter, I Heidegger and the new hermeneutic, but from this experience that the rhetoric about coalescing into a great diversity of material The churches have been moving taught a course called “theology of freedom” they proved to be inadequate as my interests interdisciplinary study is often just that, and cultural forms but always standing out in the direction of confessional in which we read the literature from the turned to liberation theology and questions rhetoric. Disciplinary boundaries and guild from them. Perhaps a way can be found to identity and homogeneity; the counterculture movements and from the of praxis. The formal categorical scheme of interests are still protected with an almost think about this idea, a way that does not study of religion and theology early political and liberation theologies. It process philosophy did not seem to work religious fervor. prioritize, as Western theology has done, the has been moving toward diver- was at this time that I first encountered the well with my basically historical mentality, rational and personal aspects of Spirit at the sity and pluralism. The expo- work of James Cone, Rosemary Radford but I began to view myself as a kind of Three Tasks of Theology expense of its natural and impersonal nential growth in predomi- Ruether, and Gustavo Gutiérrez. process thinker, and I have been influenced If I had to put a label on my own thinking in aspects. Resources for this task are present in nantly conservative and funda- The spring semester of 1970 came to an especially by John Cobb. the field of theology, I would call it radical Eastern religions. The suffering of nature and mentalist forms of Christianity early end with protests and teach-ins over Hegel offers a holistic vision that is at liberalism rather than postliberalism or radical of humanity is an experience common to all at the expense of critical and the shootings at Kent State University. The once ontologically radical and socially trans- orthodoxy. A radical liberalism goes to the religions, and collaboration toward the over- prophetic theology is painful to following fall I became involved in the formative. The ontological radicalism provides root (radix) of Christian faith and theology, coming of violence and the enhancement of witness for a radical liberal unsuccessful reelection campaign of Senator a way of reconstructing the concept of God which in my view is found in freedom—God’s justice is possible at the level of ethical prac- such as I. What has happened, I Albert Gore Sr. who had become a prominent in light of the critiques of modernity and own freedom (“the One who loves in freedom,” tices even while theoretical questions remain believe, is that moderate and war critic and was a man of uncompromising postmodernity—a reconstruction that avoids Karl Barth’s wonderful phrase) and God’s open and productively unresolved. My next liberal Christians have in principle, and in the spring of 1971 I taught the dualism of classical theism, the monism setting the whole creation free from bondage project, when I am finished with Hegel, may jointly with James Lawson and Thomas of modern atheism/secularism, and the frag- to futility and decay (“the glorious freedom be to explore some of these possibilities. Portrait of the English novelist Ogletree a course on “theology and the black What has been accomplished in half a George Eliot (Marian Evans) mentation of postmodern deconstruction. of the children of God,” the words of the (1819–1880) experience”—the first such course ever at the The social transformation is rooted in a Apostle Paul). A radical liberalism not only century of theology? The main achievement, sketch by Samuel Laurence 1860 (misdated 1857) Divinity School where eleven years earlier vision of freedom as the goal of history and finds new ways to construct the central I think, is that an incredible diversity of pre-

16 THE SPIRE Fall 2003 17 served always. Much has changed, but some scheme has been modest in numbers but aspects remain the same. Faculty, staff, and strong in quality. student body are much more diverse, but the I have to tell you that I am not so encour- commitment to diversity has been present aged by the prospects today for a theology for a long time. Already in the late ’60s and that is able to effect actual changes in public early ’70s we were committed to the place of policy in the direction of social justice, eco- African Americans and women and to the logical responsibility, and peaceful dialogue. close relationship between Judaism and Powerful interests, political and economic, Christianity in theological education; other are too firmly entrenched to be much shaken When the commitments — such as those articulated in by theologians, pastors, and professors who the Divinity School Catalogue — came later. are more on the margins of society now than In a sense the whole trajectory of the they were half a century ago. The church, School for the past 43 years was set by the insofar as it speaks publicly today, does so Photograph Lawson crisis of 1960 when the Divinity with a reactionary voice on many of the School very nearly went under and when critical issues. Tillich hoped for a new kairos Vanderbilt University began to wake up to in our time. It has not come, but we should new realities. Strong leadership by people not cease to yearn for it. In the meantime we Becomes the Picture such as Lou Silberman, Walter Harrelson, can, as George Eliot observed, work for the Kelly Miller Smith, Sallie McFague, Peter better if not the best. Paris, Jack Forstman, Ed Farley, David ESSAY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY wo weeks have passed since I from 110–120 degrees regularly with cloud- 1 JASON DAVIS FRAZIER, MTS2 returned from Mexico, and I am just less skies and an unrelenting sun. The area is Buttrick, Howard Harrod, Gene TeSelle, Dale Recently I have been going through my files in preparation now picking up the photographs from home to rattlesnakes and coyotes. What Johnson, Frank Gulley, Don Beisswenger, of vacating my office. I am reminded what a labor-intensive T Liston Mills, and Joe Hough—a list of near- work teaching and scholarship is. All the correspondence the camera shop. I discover that one roll of would motivate people to endure willingly relating to this or that project, all the manuscripts, all the During the 2003 summer term, 15 representa- saints (some closer than others to sainthood)— film is ruined—probably from a faulty shutter these conditions while leaving their homes committee documents and meetings, all the conferences on my camera. Somewhat perturbed, I get and families, especially when they are aware helped to get us to where we are today. Our tives from Vanderbilt University Divinity School and professional groups, all the course syllabi and bibliogra- into my car and hurriedly flip through the of the risk of failure and the number of peo- present leaders, James Hudnut-Beumler, phies, all the lecture and reading notes, all the student Alice Hunt, and Douglas Knight are taking files, all the recommendations and grading, all the dis- traveled to the border town of Nogales Sonora in photos. Something is missing. us to new levels of accomplishment. So I am sertations, all stretching back 38 years! I am exhausted The 105 pieces of photo- just to contemplate it. I have not kept a good record of all Mexico for a field education immersion experi- graphic paper in my hands A photograph fails and becomes a picture encouraged about the prospects for Vanderbilt the things I have done, and most of the physical evidence Divinity School and the Graduate Department reveal nothing of the experi- will go to the University Archives where someday an ence in the political and economic circumstances of Religion. Our contribution to the larger industrious researcher can dig it all out — though I can’t ences I had two weeks ago. when the viewer relates only to the properties imagine why anyone would want to do it. As a student of theology, I that contribute to immigrants seeking better lives think that having directly of colors, shapes, and dimensions of the image. experienced the events in the United States. The VDS delegation, in con- depicted in these photos junction with the nonprofit organization Border- now alters my perception of the images and ple who have died alone in the desert mak- restricts their meanings. I am not completely ing this trek? Simple heat exhaustion or a Links, was led by Lloyd Lewis, assistant professor convinced by that thought. I place the photos sprained ankle will cause a person to become back in the envelopes and begin driving. stranded and die. I cannot fathom this reali- of the practice of ministry and assistant dean for I recall memories from the trip for what ty. Having never gone hungry or thirsty, hav- seems the millionth time: a 45-mile stretch of ing never experienced even a possible lack- student life, and included Andrew Barnett, desert from Sasabe, Mexico, to the pick-up ing of food or water, I am, despite having point in Arizona; immigrants, with little or witnessed the circumstances on the border, Nathan Brown, Amy Cates, Brian Costilow, no water, traversing a terrain of cactus and aware of my inability to relate directly. mesquite trees over three days. That’s not What value of border and separation can Mosung Eam, Karlen Evins, Nancy Jenkins, that big a deal, or is it? Temperatures soar be worth these stakes? Life, liberty, and Kara Kleinschmidt, Brian McCre- property? Is the United States so intent on making herself an island, only accepting the anor, Lindsay Meyers, Paul world’s commodities while ignoring the world’s hardships? If so, why? Homeland Noreika, Michaela Rangel, security? Currently I fear my home more than any other land — the land of the William Simmons, and Jason Above: Stylized sculptures made by local artisans Frazier, from whose journal from recycled materials depict the struggles of the Mexican immigrants who try to cross the this essay was compiled. border into the United States. Left: Drums of water placed by relief workers may be found on the American side of the border.

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