Lay Institute offers free audio files from forum

The Institute on Lay Vocation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering audio files from its Nov. 3-4 forum, “Called to Engage the Postmodern World: The Lutheran Voice in Contemporary America.”

The audio files in MP3 format are available free of charge on the seminary’s Web site.

The forum highlighted the urgent need for Lutherans to witness against ever-changing values in contemporary America.

“For too long, Lutherans have been sitting on the sidelines and have allowed others to dominate the discussions concerning society, culture, politics, and government,” said Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, director of the Institute on Lay Vocation.

“Church leaders and scholars from outside the Lutheran church are urging us to let our Lutheran voice be heard. I hope this forum provided a first step in that direction.”

The forum featured an alternating pattern of keynote speakers, respondents, and question-and-answer sessions.

Keynote speakers and their topics included:

Dr. Mark A. Noll, the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame, “The Need for a Lutheran Perspective on Christianity and Politics.”

Dr. Robert Rosin, professor of historical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, “Lutherans Engaging the World: Time to Plant an Apple Tree.”

Dr. Harold O.J. Brown, the John R. Richardson Professor of Theology and Philosophy at the Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, N.C., “Where is Luther When We Need Him?”

Father Gregory J. Lockwood, professor of systematic theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, “Lutherans and Catholics: Joined Against Postmodern Confusion?”

Dr. Robert Benne, founding director of the Center for Religion and Society, Roanoke College, Salem, Va., “Sunset or Dawn? The Lutheran Calling to Public Life in America.”

Those who offered formal responses to the keynote presentations included:

Dr. Charles P. Arand, professor and chairman of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

David Neff, editor of Christianity Today magazine.

Dr. Paul Rorem, Benjamin B. Warfield Professor of Medieval History at Princeton Theological Seminary and editor of Lutheran Quarterly.

Dr. James W. Voelz, dean of faculty and professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

For more information, contact the seminary’s Institute on Lay Vocation at (314) 505-7009 or vocation@csl.edu.

Posted Nov. 15, 2006