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Christensen Symposium features Interfaith Youth Core founder Eboo Patel

Patel_convocationEboo Patel, founder and president of the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), will speak at the 2012 Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium convocation at 11 a.m. on Sept. 18.

Patel, who will speak on the “Holiness of Common Ground,” was named one of America’s Best Leaders of 2009 by U.S.News & World Report.

IFYC is based in Chicago and is devoted to building the interfaith movement on college campuses.

Patel’s visit to Augsburg fits well with the College’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, neighborhood service, and intentional diversity. The visit also will further the work and support Augsburg contributes to President Obama’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, a project launched during 2010 to engage students in interfaith discussion and community service. Continue reading “Christensen Symposium features Interfaith Youth Core founder Eboo Patel”

Christensen Symposium features Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

brueggemannThe 2011 Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium, which will be held Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 26-27, will feature Walter Brueggeman, professor emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, and United Church of Christ minister. Brueggemann’s work focuses on the relationship between the Hebrew Scriptures and Christian faith. His 58 books, hundreds of sermons, and worldwide lecture events have deeply influenced contemporary theology and biblical exegesis. Brueggemann’s books include The Prophetic Imagination, Praying the Psalms, Theology of the Old Testament, and numerous commentaries on the Hebrew canon.

The annual Christensen Symposium is made possible through the Christensen Endowment, which was established by alumni and friends of Augsburg to honor Bernhard M. Christensen. As the president of Augsburg College and Seminary from 1938 to 1962, Christensen was a central figure in drawing Augsburg fully into the study of the liberal arts. Continue reading “Christensen Symposium features Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary”

McKibben featured at Christensen Symposium

mckibben_convoIn college classes at Augsburg and across the country ,there is rarely dialogue between students and the authors of the texts that are used.

Sometimes it is because a textbook is written by a fairly anonymous author or group of authors. Other times, the back-and-forth simply isn’t possible. After all, it isn’t like having Shakespeare visit a classroom is an option.

That is what makes Bill McKibben’s visit to Augsburg so interesting. McKibben, an environmentalist and author, will speak Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Foss Chapel for the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium.

McKibben, who writes about global warming, alternative energy, and other environmental issues, will talk about “The Most Important Number on Earth: Climate Change and Moral Challenge.”

Continue reading “McKibben featured at Christensen Symposium”

Christensen Symposium focuses on citizenship and discipleship

stortzWhat power can an individual have in a world of 6.5 billion people? Augsburg College encourages us all to consider the power of vision in a world of tension. The 2008-2009 convocation series offers an opportunity to hear today’s outstanding leaders and visionaries who engage us in conversations that contribute to making the world a safer place for future generations.

This is the ninth annual series incorporating long-standing endowed and special programs of Augsburg College. The first convocation of the year is the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium with lectures on October 6 and 7. The speaker is Martha E. Stortz, author and professor of historical theology and ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary/The Graduate Theological Union. Stortz will speak on “Costly Discipleship: Forgiveness as a Practice” and “Costly Citizenship: Regarding the Other in a Culture of Fear.” Continue reading “Christensen Symposium focuses on citizenship and discipleship”

Christensen Symposium Sept. 24 and 25

rolfjacobsenThe Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium will be held Sept. 24 and 25, with speaker Dr. Rolf Jacobson, writer and educator.  Jacobson is an associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary and associate editor of “Word and World.”  He also taught at Augsburg College from 2000-2003.

Jacobson’s two-day theme is “Everyday Life in Light of the Gospel.”

Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. “Why Do You Weep?” Sadness, Grief and the Gospel

Sept. 25, 11 a.m. “How Can I keep From Singing?” Laughter, Joy and the Gospel

Both events are free and open to the public and will be held in Hoversten Chapel.