2009 Lutherhostel has been canceled

Regretfully, the 2009 Lutherhostel at LTSP has been canceled. If you are interested in future Lutherhostel events at LTSP, please contact the Rev. Ellen Anderson, eanderson@ltsp.edu.

The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia offers a number of programs, events and online not-for-credit courses for all the people of God through the Faith and Life Institute. See the current offerings online: Ltsp.edu/faithandlife.

Lutherhostel 2009: What Would Luther Say?

Monday-Friday, June 15-19, 2009

Hosted by The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) on the LTSP campus ...and you're invited!

What might Reformer Martin Luther say to us about living out our faith in a challenging, modern time? What can we discern from his writings about controversies involving Biblical interpretation? How about controversial issues like school prayer or sexuality concerns? And what about our current economic meltdown and related questions about justice, accountability, and responsibility? What of the interaction between faith and politics and the role of government? In this 10th anniversary Lutherhostel year at LTSP, we’ll feature music and worship, enjoy Bible study, and take time to examine vocational and service opportunities for older persons as part of our faith journey. Highlights of the week will include a visit to The Philadelphia Museum of Art and a tour of treasures from the time of Luther housed at the 100-year-old Krauth Memorial Library on the LTSP campus.

Learn about the program, presenters and register online: www.Ltsp.edu/lutherhostel09

Sacred Texts - Modern Issues: April 26

A spring 2009 Trialogue Event for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders, seminarians, students, and those interested in interfaith learning. Sunday, April 26, 2009, 2 to 7 pm at The Brossman Center at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

About the Program

As we look to compare and contrast the Abrahamic faiths, there is much to learn from examining the ways in which representatives of each religious community interprets sacred texts that provide guidance for modern issues. This process helps us with our own stereotypes and distrust involving these traditions, as well as learning more about our own traditions. The 2009 Trialogue focuses on the interpretation process - the exegesis and isogesis in Christianity, PaRDeS in the Jewish tradition, tafseer and ijtehad in Islam - used by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scholars to provide contemporary interpretations based on sacred sources that often were not confronted with the same challenges faced today.

This Year's Theme

This year a presenter and respondent from each faith will focus on the concept of "Just War" as a unifying theme around which to organize their interpretive comments. They will also lead small follow-up discussion groups and field questions. Participants can expect to come away from the program with a broader understanding of each tradition's interpretive methodologies as well as food for thought for future interfaith conversations. A light supper is included.

Learn about the presenters and more on the program, and register online: Ltsp.edu/trialogue

March-April Faith and Life Reflection: Gran Tourino

The March-April Reflection from the Faith and Life Institute of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia focuses on the recent Clint Eastwood film Gran Torino. The Reflection, written by Mark Staples, takes a faith view of the epic film and its perspectives about modern life and death.

Faith and Life Reflections are suitable for individual and small group study, such as in an adult forum. This and other Reflections can be downloaded from the Institute Web site: Ltsp.edu/faithandlifereflections. The Faith and Life Institute offers many resources and opportunities for learning and renewal for all the people of God, explore the offerings at Ltsp.edu/faithandlife.

April Glimpse Online

Glimpses from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) tell about your seminary, and are designed for congregations to use in their bulletins and inserts to help share LTSP's stories of ministry. The April Glimpse tells about LTSP faculty member the Rev. Dr. David Grafton, Associate Professor, Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, and Director of Graduate Studies.

View and download the April Glimpse for personal and congregational use... www.ltsp.edu/glimpses

Men in Mission Spring 2009: “God’s Work, Our Hands: Stewards of God’s Creation”

Men in Mission return to Bear Creek Camp, near Wilkes Barre, PA, on Saturday, April 18, 2009, to explore the topic “God’s Work, Our Hands: Stewards of God’s Creation.” The event, from the Faith and Life Institute at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), is open to all men. The day is scheduled from 9 am - 3:30 pm, and cost is $35 per person including lunch.

We know that we should take care of the environment, but do we know how to do it, or even why we should do it? Join us, along with Karen Gower, Environmental Programs Manager of Bear Creek Camp, as we explore how God has called us to be good stewards of creation. Take part in bible studies and discussion, hands-on projects, and worship as we gather to celebrate all that God has given us. Like successful past Men in Mission events at Bear Creek, activities will include worship, bible study and discussion, learning, and hands-on projects, both indoors and outdoors. The work may involve getting messy, so you'll need to dress appropriately.

For more information, including a schedule for the day, and to register online, go to www.Ltsp.edu/meninmission.

in the photo: men at last year's Men in Mission Bear Creek event enjoy learning outdoors

With All Your Mind: An Introduction to Christian Theology online now forming

Seats are still open for The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia Faith and Life online course With All Your Mind: An Introduction to Christian Theology. The course will continue through February and March, and registration will be open through February 14. Here are more details:

"You shall love the Lord your God... with all your mind" (Mt 22:37). We are Christian theologians when we use our minds to consider the mysterious goodness of God through Jesus Christ. In this way, theology is for everybody. Participants in this online course will examine classical theological themes such as creation, redemption, and faithful living, especially from a Lutheran perspective. Our texts will be the Bible, Luther's Small Catechism and other accessible yet challenging works. This class is intended to serve as a basic introduction to theology or a refresher course, with the overall objective that we continue to serve God and neighbor by using the beautiful minds that God gave us. Teacher: LTSP PhD scholar Martin Lohrmann. Register online today and join the discussions: www.ltsp.edu/online-faith-and-life-study-laity

Keep up with the seminary and our Faith and Life and other offerings on our new Web site: www.ltsp.edu/faithandlife.