HSU Insider

Students and Faculty from Three Christian Universities to Hear Jewish Theologian

• By Abilene Admin
• Posted September 13, 2009 2:45 PM
• 0 Comments

"We gather to declare publicly that our different religions and cultures will not separate us, but rather unite us," says Dr. Rob Sellers. The professor of Missions Ministry at Logsdon School of Theology has invited students and faculty from all three 4-year universities in Abilene to participate in a rare opportunity.

Celebrated Jewish author and lecturer Dr. Marc Ellis will be on the Hardin-Simmons campus to speak about religious identities and how different faiths can talk with each other. The author of Toward a Jewish Theology of Liberation will hold two sessions this Thursday at Logsdon Chapel.

The student/faculty session at 3 p.m will specifically discuss Ellis's internationally acclaimed book, which is in its third expanded edition. The book's forward is written by South African Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Peruvian "Father of Liberation Theology" Gustavo Gutierrez. Gutierrez writes, "This is a vigorous and important work - passionate for justice, rooted in a strong love for his people, and [showing] a deep sensitivity to other human communities."

Ellis is the director of the Center for Jewish Studies at Baylor University and the only Jewish professor at the largest Baptist university in the nation. Ellis has authored over 20 books and spoken at more than 250 universities on five continents.

The evening session is open to the public and will feature a community forum by the Abilene Interfaith Council. The topic Ellis will present is "Speaking Honestly to Ourselves and Each Other About Our Religious Identity."

The Interfaith Council is comprised of people representing nine religious faiths in Abilene, including Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, and Christian. The group gathers each month, guided by the motto "Breaking Bread Together in Peace."

Dr. Sellers, who is a member of the Abilene Interfaith Council, says, "We want to increase understanding and strengthen friendships despite our religious distinctions. We gather to post a sign for our community: a message that says we believe people can disagree, but do so amicably, and then leave the session still in relationship."

"We hope that we are role models of respectful and reasoned dialogue for our community. And, when appropriate, we desire to join hands in worthy projects on behalf of all people who live in the Big Country."

Sellers says of the HSU public forum, "As an academic institution that offers 'an education enlightened by faith,' Hardin-Simmons fittingly welcomes the Abilene Interfaith Council Community Forum to the Forty Acres. Let us celebrate the fact that a group of our fellow citizens are dedicated to the dream that our community will be known as a welcoming, generous, and thoughtful place to live."

Both events are September 17th in Logsdon Chapel at the corner of Ambler and Pine. The public event starts at 7 p.m. and will include desserts and coffee. It is free and open to everyone. Dr. Ellis' lecture will be followed by questions from the audience. There will also be an opportunity to have a book signed by the author.