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GTU Currents NEWS OF THE GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION

A Passion for Justice SPRING 2003 INSIDE GTU GRADUATE BLENDS ACADEMICS WITH ACTIVISM

Studying is “where the rubber hits the road,”says Jaime Balboa, who earned his Ph.D. from the GTU this May in interdisciplinary studies.“Religion is used to stymie and stifle the human rights of people who are different, as well as for emancipation and liberation.”Balboa is using his theological training as a foundation for the civil and human rights work he has long been committed to. He credits his family with instilling a hopeful, constructive approach to social ills. His parents were always involved in community work, and half his family is from the Philippines, where they're all social activists—“it's in the Balboa blood,” he jokes.While most recently practicing as FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 a Methodist, he also points to his Roman Catholic upbringing as nourishing his “sanguine hope that the world can be a more compassionate and just place, if we roll up our sleeves and get to work. Not that it isn't difficult, but it can be done.” Balboa has worked since 2001 at Larkin Street Youth Services, a San Francisco community-based “THE GRACE OF INTERPRETATION” 3 organization that serves homeless and runaway youth. He has also worked as director of public education for the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. In 2000, he led a campaign in Oregon to defeat an anti-gay ballot measure. The measure would have mandated that public school curricula portray homosexuality as immoral. COMMENCEMENT 2003 4-5 Political Leadership As executive director for the campaign, he found that his theological training was critical to his success. The Christian Coalition which had co-sponsored the measure was faced in debates with JUDITH BERLING WINS a scholar of Christian who could meet them—and defeat them—on their own ground. NEW FACULTY AWARD 7 In the end, the campaign Balboa led was successful, and the measure did not pass.

For Balboa, the situation illustrates the extent to which motivate public CATHOLIC WOMEN LEADERS 7 discourse.“If the Enlightenment was partly about moving to the private sphere, it failed. Religion pervades U.S. politics. The whole subtext of the campaign was about which moral discourse is going to win.” Humility and Truth CONFERENCE A SUCCESS 8 Balboa came to the GTU after studying literature as an undergraduate and completing his master of theological studies (M.T.S.) degree at Duke University.At Duke, he was strongly influ- Photos: GTU professor Judith Berling, Jaime Balboa enced by the theologian and ethicist Stanley Hauerwas, who encouraged Balboa to focus on the- (Ph.D. ’03), and Vincent Shamo (M.A. ’03) ology rather than literature for his doctoral work. On his dissertation committee was Naomi Seidman, director of the GTU's Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies and a scholar of critical theory.Seidman calls Balboa's work “thrilling. For his dissertation, he proposed a powerful argument for the human dignity of queer people Founded in 1962, the Graduate Theological that refused to found itself on ‘logocentrism,’that is, on the that it is possible to make a stable truth claim.As a religious activist, Jaime that people working for liberation should Union educates women and men in view the decentering of truth as an opportunity for resistance and empowerment rather than as theological scholarship and church a threat to it.” leadership. The GTU seeks to teach Balboa applies this insight about the “decentering of truth”to thinkers on both sides of gay and patterns of that nurture justice and lesbian issues. For instance, he points out that GLBT liberation scholars who assert that “every- one would come to their conclusions if only they knew how to read the Bible”are taking a similar peace, and to equip leaders for a world of path to those who use the Bible for oppression. Balboa argues “we don't have a 's eye view, to diverse and cultures. make with certainty absolute claims about morals.”As we work for justice, we must do so with humility and respect. That is Jaime Balboa's path. From the President’s Desk GTU Currents Currents presents the news, people, and progress of the Graduate Theological Union. Published three Dear Friends of the GTU, times a year, Currents is distributed to alumni, Dana Davis faculty, students, staff, and friends of the GTU. The idea of “contextual theology”—that our understanding of the task of theology is inescapably shaped by the contexts in which we find ourselves—dominates the landscape in President:James A.Donahue theological education today.I take this fundamental premise to be true: our thinking about Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs: the purposes, goals, and structure of theological education depends on what is going on in the Arthur G. Holder world in which we live.Vibrant educational institutions are ones that not only respond to the Vice President for Advancement:Katherine E.Akos dynamics of current issues, but that also understand their historical mission in light of Vice President for Finance and Administration: renewed challenges, new threats and opportunities. Steven G.Argyris Context has been integral to the GTU’s self-understanding from its inception. In 1962 the Library Director:Bonnie Hardwick context of our founding was the conviction that theological education was necessarily done in Currents Editor:Damaris Moore ecumenical dialogue among Protestants and Catholics. Today the focus of our dialogue builds on these foundations to include other faith and cultural traditions as well.

We welcome your feedback! Over the last 40 years the GTU has grown into the promise that was there at the beginning.We are, I believe, the premier theological consortium in this country and perhaps the world. Our Please send comments, story suggestions, alum updates, niche is characterized by: or address changes to [email protected]

Graduate Theological Union • The standards of academic excellence that are our hallmark; 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA 94709 • Our commitment to ecumenical and interfaith dialogue; 510/649-2400 • www.gtu.edu • The “engaged”quality of our scholarship, where thinking and doing come together; • Our commitments to interdisciplinary methods of analysis; MEMBER SCHOOLS • Our commitment to bringing the insights of religion and ethics to discussions of the public American Baptist Seminary of the West good; and Church Divinity School of the Pacific • Our interest in Asia as we detect the dynamics of future religious influences. Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology Franciscan School of Theology We are an institution that was created for dialogue amidst differences. I am enormously proud Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley of the GTU’s achievements and of its creativity and resolution in today’s context as we face the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary ongoing challenges of providing the best theological education possible. This issue profiles Pacific School of Religion two new graduates whose work illustrates our commitments. Laura Roberts examines the role San Francisco Theological Seminary of interpretation in the context of the Mennonite tradition, and Jaime Balboa works—both as Starr King School for the Ministry a scholar and an activist—to address issues of difference among oppressed minorities. These are just two of the fifty-nine remarkable individuals in our 2003 graduating class; you’ll find ACADEMIC PROGRAM UNITS the complete class list on pages 4 and 5. Center for Ethics and Social Policy I thank each of you for your interest in the life of this institution, and encourage your contin- Center for the Study of Religion and Culture ued support for the GTU's work on behalf of the religious and academic leaders of tomorrow. Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies Center for Women and Religion

AFFILIATES James A. Donahue Center for the Arts, Religion, and Education Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences Institute of Buddhist Studies New College Berkeley Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute School of Applied Theology

Currents is printed on recycled and recyclable paper using soy inks. 3 • GTU CURRENTS SPRING 2003 e—to recog- e—to it e and creative. them.”

personally and in her and personally Mennon m faculty and students uraging them to explore to uraging them o sues with portunity to “walk through “walk portunity to friends in the program were program the in friends se issues in the Mennonite tradition.” Mennonite in the se issues both responsibl both ning Experience” ink more broadly about how my proj- my how about broadly ink more aditions, not just ts found her GTU experience to be to enor- GTU experience her ts found udents—“enc r be the GTU has been studying with people who with people GTU has beenthe studying d Mark, teacher, English a high school and shape of the ts religiously diverse student body, student will she diverse ts religiously

taught for five years before coming to the GTU. the to coming before years five for taught

tion that are are that tion “A Broade Ro both broadening mously scholarship.GTU with a strong the came to She ofsense in a location and its identity her minority tradition, level the struck by and was of “genuine interest” fro alike. best Her Catholic, and Episcopalian, Lutheran she and cherished the op core theological is The ecumenical and interfaith environment ecumenical and interfaith The as well.“The work gift scholarly her influenced of of been some asking have of same questions the begun of asking I have that traditions their said.“Themine, longer,”Roberts much for but challenge from committee my andcolleagues was to th to common with problems dealing ect was other tr nize the commonalities while at the same time the while at commonalities nize the i Dana Davis Dana for her st

gs but not an infinite number.”The theologian’s role, theologian’s number.”The an infinite not gs but made to mean just anything or everything. or anything mean just to made are There

here she she here leted the GTU doctoral program in four years, in four program GTU doctoral the leted Roberts her husban mp co

faith in same time, of“grace “the the that imply not interpretation”does tone. It ng vi member the support for pluralism at the GTU and work to make a make to GTU and work the at pluralism for support the member multiple meanin it, understand came to as Roberts of lies in interpretations tradi- the means arguing out competing interpretations, competing within community.” out arguing means At the be can tradition addressing theaddressing particular Teaching in A Career Ha With her are now returns to Fresno Pacific University, a Mennonite Brethren affili- Brethren a Mennonite University, Pacific Fresno to returns now ated school, w their new daughter Clara. daughter new their At Fresno Pacific, with re similar experience their own traditions, and making sure there’s room for everybody.” for room traditions, own their there’s making and sure ke a s e tradition drops e tradition ugh lived from heaven li heaven from “None of th comes thro a community…” izations ofizations the al cluded ts heard the ts heard ins in ins r thought about tradition itself, tradition about thought in order unities today are today unities plores conceptu plores their emphasis on com- on emphasis their lived faith in a community,and that has to be in a community,and faith has to that lived city of orig d from the 16th-century the d from separation from the world, the from separation onite comm ple origins, Robe

look at how we we how at look dissertation ex s on hermeneutics was a key inspiration, a key was hermeneutics his s on notably

faith has grown to include a fresh, include to has grown faith of critical examination elements that did not fit comfortably fit did not that elements ROBERTS INVESTIGATES MENNONITE IDENTITY ROBERTS INVESTIGATES r their interest in social issues, interest r their their

ch and state, a way that it could be understood as adequately dynamic.” as adequately be understood could it that a way

nized. The lived component is a process ofnized. is a process component lived The interpretation, which

radition and Change radition a doctoral student at the GTU, the at student a doctoral her Roberts’ Laura for love grounded URA

th the existing Mennonite self-understanding. Mennonite existing th the unity,embodied local churches. in independent nce the 1980s, the nce Mennonite among discussion Mennonite of nature the and tradition, dynamism a new introduce that ways in flexibility. Reformation.An evan- ’The Protestant in the origins are gelical group descende Anabaptists, separation on were emphases early of chur and indi- community both for discipline and on Menn vidual.Most fo known m Theology and Tradition Si theology explicit more on focused has thinkers method.and theological work historical Recent original one not was there that shown had 16th century, in the relat- many but beliefs, with diverse ed movements styles, and practices. This multipli strong peace stand, and wi was, then issue The findings new did these what theology? and its tradition the mean about in the interest scholarly new the Despite Mennonites’ multi numerous As language around the tradition itself tradition the around language “pretty as static. I to wanted to find To this end, her recog insight that “Traditions live by the grace of the by live “Traditions interpretation.” that insight of and aliveness use power to the Exploring became a way interpretation from tradition the up open to community on Mennonites’ focus the own inside,the a single, from it protecting rigid, overly def- fundamentalist or inition.As said,“None Roberts of a like heaven from drops tradition the stone. comes through It Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition since the mid-20th century.Paul the since tradition Anabaptist-Mennonite focu Ricoeur’s

T LA 4 • GTU CURRENTS SPRING 2003 Cor Public ChurchPublic Apologies Memo of Politics The to Remember: the Duty Between the Right to Forget and Ethics and and Ethics Alain P. Durocher Discer Dial Aporias, in Corinthians Biblical Biblical Cornelia Cyss-Wittenstein Burke Dramatistic Pen David Buttrick through the between Gordon Lathrop and ADialogue : of Theology Preaching bythe of the Theology • Homiletics Conover E. Robert Catholic Imagination A the Carpet: in Greene’s Pattern Graham Studies Interdisciplinary Bosco Gerard Mark Dei Imago Im The Word Made Queer: Studies Interdisciplinary Balboa Ronaldo Jaime DOCTOR OFPHILOSOPHY graduating st congratulati The GTUextends its warmest 2002 and May 2003. plications for aLiberationist nelia Cyss-Wittenstein ’02) (Ph.D. nment Studie So ons to the the to ons The Enchantment of ogues andogues uden 20th Ce cial Theory cial s • the 21st Century: a fKenneth tad of ry in Canada’s Reading I Reading so October ts of ntury omneet2003 Commencement

Dana Davis in Angl Histor Georges Laura Judith Culture Adheren Th of Ethnography Theology an Theology Sen Amartya • Theology and Systematic Li Stanley Psycho A Representations: God Psychology and Religion Soo-Young Kwon TracyDavid Conversational Atkinson Lucy Preaching Paradigm of The Homiletic: • Homiletics Alan Dale Kelchner Exemplar Discour Ch in Meaning th in Metaphor Discour Me and Metaphor Studies Interdisciplinary Bonnie Gayle Tigner Howe Commonplace the of Deleuze and the Transfiguration Nonsen • Area Inter Holt Joseph • Religions Cult Geoffrey Edward Foy o epfrWrs:Ltr ical Liturg SongWords”: as Metaphor for Deep Too • Studies Liturgical Parsons David Mark Tradition Reformed Homi Liturgical TowarOrdo: • Homiletics Je nfrL Lord nnifer L.

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What’s new - from Alumni and Students

For more updates from other alumni, faculty, GTU President JAMES DONAHUE VICTORIA RUE (Ph.D. ’93) and her partner and students, and to send in your news, visit (Ph.D. ’84) published Ethics Across the Kathryn Poethig (Ph.D. ’97) are moving to www.gtu.edu. Curriculum: A Practice-Based Approach California, where Kathryn has been appointed (Lexington Books). Co-authored by Michael assistant professor of global studies at JAVIER ALVAREZ-MON (M.A. ’97) Boylan, the book provides a practical frame- California State University at Monterey Bay. received a Fulbright scholarship for research in work and concrete suggestions for engaging Iran, where he is completing the fieldwork for questions of ethics in the university curriculum. SUSAN M. SMITH (Ph.D. ’02) has accepted his UC Berkeley doctoral program in ancient a position at Saint Paul School of Theology in Near Eastern art and archaeology. VERNA HARRISON (Ph.D. ’86) has been Kansas City, beginning fall 2003. She will be appointed assistant professor of church history assistant professor of preaching and . MARY CHRISTINE ATHANS (Ph.D. ’82) at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, was appointed professor emerita upon her beginning fall 2003. She has articles in recent THEODORE TROST (M.A. ’89) is assistant recent retirement from the Saint Paul Seminary issues of Sobornost and St. Vladimir's professor of at the University of School of Divinity of the University of St. Theological Quarterly. Alabama in Tuscaloosa. In 2002, Harvard Thomas (Minnesota). She has moved to Chicago University Press published his Douglas Horton where she will continue to write and do some Nominate the and the Ecumenical Impulse in American teaching at Loyola University. Religion.This is the first biography to appear on 2003 Alum of the Year Horton, a significant but surprisingly unherald- DAVID BATSTONE (Ph.D. ’89) has pub- Please let us know your candidates! Send ed 20th century religious leader who worked lished Saving the Corporate --and (Who nominations, including special achievements tirelessly for church and world unity under the Knows?) Maybe Your Own: Eight Principles for or accomplishments, via e-mail to advance- broad banner of ecumenism. Creating and Preserving Wealth and Well-Being [email protected] (or phone 510/649-2420).We for You and Your Company Without Selling Out need to hear from you by July 14.The Alum DIANA WALSH (M.A. ’99) is assistant pro- of the Year will be honored at the annual (Jossey-Bass). Batstone is executive editor of fessor of religion at the University of North GTU alum luncheon on Saturday, November Sojourners and a social ethics professor at Carolina at Wilmington. She was married in July 22 at the AAR/SBL conference in Atlanta. of 2002. University of San Francisco. 2002’s Alum of the Year was John Titaley, rector of Wacana Christian University GAYMON BENNETT,a first year doctoral in Indonesia—you can read about him and KIRK WEGTER-MCNELLY (Ph.D. ’03) co- student, co-edited Bridging Science and Religion other notable alums at www.gtu.edu. edited two recent CTNS publications: Quantum (SCM Press) with Dr. Ted Peters. The book is Mechanics: Scientific Perspectives on Divine from the GTU affiliated Center for Theology and Action (CTNS/Vatican Observatory), and Science the Natural Sciences (CTNS). and the Spiritual Quest: New Essays by Leading SISTER MARTHA ANN KIRK (Th.D. ’86) Scientists (Routledge). This fall, he will join the KIRK BINGAMAN (Ph.D. ’00) has published is professor of religious studies at the University religious studies department of Manhattan his first book, Freud and Faith: Living in the of the Incarnate Word. She was awarded the San College, in New York City. Tension (SUNY); contributed a chapter to Antonio Bar Foundation 2003 Peacemaker Teaching Freud,an edited volume with Oxford; Award for her work in Jewish, Christian, and RICHARD WOOD (M.A. GTU ’89, Ph.D. UC and published an article on narcissism in the Muslim relationships, and also won an award Berkeley) and Dana Bell (M.Div.PSR ’91) are American Journal of Pastoral Counseling.He is from the St. Mary’s University President’s Peace married with two children. Rich is associate director of satellite offices for the Lloyd Center Commission for her use of the arts in peace- professor of sociology at the University of New Pastoral Counseling Service at San Francisco making. She writes “I share news of my recent Mexico. His Faith in Action: Religion, Race, and

PRING 2003 PRING Theological Seminary. awards because my potential for creativity and Democratic Organizing in America (University S commitment to justice and peace were nurtured of Chicago Press 2002) is based on research GREG COOTSONA (Ph.D. ’96) is associate in the Arts and Theology area of the GTU.” done partly through the GTU's Center for Ethics pastor for adult discipleship at Bidwell and Social Policy. Presbyterian Church in Chico, CA. His second NANCEY MURPHY (Th.D. ’87) is professor book, Creation and Last Things: At the of Christian philosophy at Fuller Theological Intersection of Theology and Science,was Seminary.Her first book, Theology in the Age of published in 2002. Scientific Reasoning,won prizes from both the American Academy of Religion and the Templeton Foundation. 6 • GTU CURRENTS6 • GTU 7 • GTU CURRENTS SPRING 2003 emic territo- ic dialogue—in stice. omic ju trenched acad trenched d story; is scripture how et—because ofet—because of power the to a strong publ ts students. To learn about more ts students. about learn To

se contact the advancement office at office advancement the se contact the history of history the God monothe- in the reaten en ng i rimage an rimage ss the stre cus for her presentations, her with cus for along issues ofissues econ onsibly.” dhist to a course on prayer isn’t prayer on a course to meditation dhist he commented that the stipend component of stipend the component that he commented is to contribute is to

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y Danner-McDonald finishes her first year at the GTU this spring. the at year first her finishes y Danner-McDonald ministry has included work with Catholic and feminist networks, and feminist with Catholic work ministry has included he fr fu

ys sp rr ll ft erling teaches courses in her field of field in her courses teaches erling religions, Chinese as as well “T disciplinary components can’t be add-ons. instance, can’t For disciplinary components says, Berling just adding a book other, each against up so “come to enough. have and meditation Prayer this difference.”When and the with sameness the wrestle students that well, discipline own is done their understand better to come students and religion, other. as the well as While noting that “pushes at the bo B course Recent courses have covered pilg in varioushonored traditions; and varieties and in the ofistic traditions Christianity. Interdisciplinary values tend to th on Bellah, Robert worked who Berkeley’s UC that ries. relates Berling ques- asked here students that say to GTU committees,“used many acro asked be couldn’t that tions disciplines.the boundary-crossing. require Certain questions The challenge is to do Re confer leaders ischurch a particular fo scholarship. feminist current Ke Her primar quality of life issues. S truly a blessing,“is pres- be me to a more allows it as scholarship the student,ent friend, wife and .” Her women. Catholic young training for Danner- leadership including McDonald’s ambition ship and ministerial leadership, plea 510/649-2420, visit www.gtu.edu. or both scholarly an scholarly both church, concerns, women’s and Although most P of a percentage to partial support students. its generous this to Thanks gi fu important step fo wa pping herself to ,Father Markey’s ,Father urch, planned even and whose teaching incor- teaching whose essor ofessor and com- Chinese that ch that a symbol for liberation and sal- liberation a symbol for

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raga, dissertation. her completing is also Pineda-Madrid Nancy It ncy Pineda-Madrid and Kerry Danner-McDonald,ncy Pineda-Madrid GTU doc- two ther Francis L. Markey (1908-1999) was a prominent priest in the L. priest Francis ther a prominent (1908-1999) was Markey dith Berling,dith 1987, since GTU the has been who at recipi- first is the ti eedom made it the natural home for the scholarships. the for home natural the it made eedom Now Episcopalian, B to other “Confu at values and interdisciplinary with interreligious teaching to key The heart is, says, she fo ways “find to and create a collaborative learning environment. learning so a collaborative courses I design and create of each that day first the from know people that has something them to contribute and to learn from each of the others.” “interpret a career in ministry.However, ofa career an incident by troubled racism Asian at a loca rooted in ignora Asian language and culture, with th Ju ofent Sarlo the Award, by given in Teaching the Sarlo Excellence Family Supporting religions,parative served and has also as GTU Dean. annual This award honors a core do of the values porates dialogue and an interdisciplinary interreligious approach to teaching. own Berling’s Presbyterian in college. and planning for the Archdiocese ofArchdiocese the for and planning with skills her provided Seattle she continues to cousin, the ne focuses on Our Lady of Guadalupe as va who are studying for Roman Catholic leadership and ministry. leadership Catholic Roman for studying are who Fa be prepared should women that believed deeply who area Cruz Santa for leadership in all as ther this vision and to honor her cousin that Webb established the fel- the established Webb that cousin her honor and to this vision ther lowships.“Father life. his priestly his mind, throughout stretched Father Church Catholic com- same,”Webb the do to others and empowered encouraged and he intellectual and structure innovative mented, GTU’s the that adding fr Now teac Na toral students the first Father Markey Scholarships for Catholic Women in Ministry. Women Catholic for Scholarships Markey Father first the generosity the through Established

New Faculty Award Given to Judith Berling Given to Judith Award New Faculty Markey Scholarships SupportMarkey Scholarships Leaders Women Catholic NON–PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BERKELEY, CA PERMIT NO. 930

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GTU Islam Conference Draws Local Muslims On March 14 and 15, 2003, the GTU hosted an Islamic studies conference with almost 200 attendees.“ in the 21st Century: Muslim Identities in the Diaspora”brought scholars together with people of faith from

Bay Area Muslim communities to examine how we live in the local and global contexts of religious diversity. Dana Davis Participants commented on how “thought-provoking”and “energizing”the conference was. Especially appreciated were the keynote speakers—Dr. John Esposito from Georgetown University; Dr. Hamid Algar from University of California, Berkeley; and Dr.Amina Wadud from Virginia Commonwealth University.Workshops were offered on topics such as Islam and the African American experience, , radical Islam, and Muslim women. Dr. Ibrahim Farajajé, the con- ference director, is vice president of academic affairs and professor of Islamic studies at GTU member school Starr King School for the Ministry. Dr. Ibrahim Farajajé, conference director. He With this event, the GTU inaugurated a series of conferences and increased course offerings in Islamic studies. heads the GTU's Islamic President James Donahue commented that the event “furthers the GTU’s longstanding commitment to dialogue across studies task force. diverse religious traditions. The world situation underlines the urgent need for interreligious understanding, and the GTU’s importance as a center for the kind of conversation and education that create the foundation for a diverse and peaceful world.”

BLESSING OF THE CRUSH 6:30 pm on Thursday, October 23, 2003 The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco Please join us for our second annual black-tie gala, Blessing of the Crush.Henry Luce III will be honored for his leadership of the Henry Luce Foundation, which has been a major contributor to the GTU and to theo- logical education nationwide. Proceeds from the gala will support student scholarships. GTU trustee Peggy Hansen Olsen is the dinner chair. Call 510/649-2425 for reservations and information.