FULLER curated

In his message at Fuller’s All-Seminary Chapel, Soong-Chan Rah reflected on Acts 15 and asked how the Western Church might move from its captivity to culture and toward deeper commitment to Christ. This lecture was delivered at Fuller’s 2012 Missiology Lectures. At the time of recording, Soong-Chan Rah was the Milton B. Engebretson Associate Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary.

In his lecture “Perceiving, Dwelling, and Creating Communion,” Willie Jennings warns against commodification and objectification, and looks to how we might move toward a life of communion and reciprocity. In response, Sebastian Kim hopes for a more expansive doctrine of creation that draws on the wisdom of eco-feminist theology and looks to the interconnectedness of all creatures in the created world; Mark Lau Branson reflects on how we must perceive the creator and creation through the many eyes of others in order to dwell in communion and reciprocity; and Erin Dufault-Hunter reflects on the work it takes to be transformed to neighborliness—while naming the beauty and grace that comes with it. Willie Jennings is associate professor of systematic theology and Africana studies at Yale Divinity School. Sebastian Kim is academic dean for the Korean Center and the Robert Wiley Professor of Renewal and Public Life. Mark Lau Branson is the Homer L. Goddard Professor of the Ministry of the Laity. Erin Dufault-Hunter is associate professor of Christian ethics.

In his lecture “The Path of Shared Perceiving,” Willie Jennings speaks of how a Christian doctrine of creation requires a shared work, between Jewish and Gentile believers, of perceiving a world of belonging and interconnectedness with all creatures. In response, Oscar García-Johnson says a deconstruction of our current doctrines of creation is the needed beginning for a new Christian vision of creation; Vince Bantu reflects on the importance of claiming—and not running from—our diverse and distinct names and identities before God; and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen proposes a more cosmic doctrine of creation that resists an overly anthropocentric focus. Willie Jennings is associate professor of systematic theology and Africana studies at Yale Divinity School. Oscar García-Johnson is academic dean for the Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community and associate professor of theology and Latino/a studies. Vince Bantu is assistant professor of church history and Black church studies. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen is professor of systematic theology.

In his lecture “The Role of the Holy Spirit in Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy,” Siang-Yang Tan reflects on the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and on the different ways the Spirit’s work is crucial in Christian counseling. In their respective responses, Oscar García-Johnson shares about how the Spirit often works “behind the scenes,” and Emilie Noah speaks about the vulnerable and liberating connections between clients and therapists. Siang-Yang Tan is senior professor of psychology at Fuller Seminary.

In his lecture “Implicit and Explicit Integration in Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy,” Siang-Yang Tan looks at covert and overt approaches to integrating spiritual issues in therapy—while stressing the ethical responsibility and clinical sensitivity required for both. In their respective responses, Ahmi Lee discusses the commonalities between preachers and Christian therapists, and Abbey Craigg reflects on the task of integration. Siang-Yang Tan is senior professor of psychology at Fuller Seminary.

In his lecture “A Christian Perspective on Human Nature and Effective Counseling and Psychotherapy,” Siang-Yang Tan explores various perspectives on the integration of Christian faith and psychology, while emphasizing that maturity in Christ is always the ultimate goal. In their respective responses, Sean Love speaks about therapy as movement toward God, and Brede Parker reflects on relational anthropology. Siang-Yang Tan is senior professor of psychology at Fuller Seminary.

Luke Bobo speaks about how the wealth gap and limited economic opportunities breeds present day suffering to African American communities in the US, and he challenges the church to respond in love and justice. He is an author, professor, and the director of strategic partnerships for Made to Flourish.

Christin Fort examines the effects poverty and poor mental health have on each other, the oppressive cycle created as a result, and the church’s role to take action. She is a clinical psychologist, an assistant professor of psychology at Wheaton College, and codirector of the Multicultural Peace and Justice Collaborative.

Marne Campbell addresses the structural racism in the United States and the need for comprehensive change to happen on every level of society. She is an associate professor and the chair of the department of African American studies at Loyola Marymount University.

In his lecture “Theological Approaches to Migration: Their Impact on Missional Thinking and Action,” Leopoldo A. Sánchez M., Werner R. H. and Elizabeth R. Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries at Concordia Seminary, reflects on how various models of migration can shape how we understand our practice of mission and our call to love our neighbors. In response, Carly Crouch, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament, speaks about the centrality of migrant experiences to the Old Testament and how migration necessarily shapes our understanding of theology and mission.