Give Me Children or I Shall Die: Technologies of Desire

Dr. Suzanne Holland
John B. Magree Professor of Science and Values
Professor of Ethics, University of Puget Sound

October 25, 2012
Edwards Lecture

Is desire meant to be fulfilled, and is it meant to be fulfilled at any cost?  Listen to the lecture.

Welcomed as a Child

Cynthia Campbell
Former President, McCormick Theological Seminary
Interim Pastor, Highland Presbyterian Church

A sermon in honor of Theological Libraries Month
October 5, 2012
Isaiah 49:13-15
Mark 10:13-16

We should bless the vulnerable and welcome them into the life of the church and the Kingdom of God just as Jesus welcomed children into his presence.  Listen to the sermon.

Let's Start a Fire

Debra J.Mumford
Frank H. Caldwell Associate Professor of Homiletics, Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs

October 4, 2012
James 3:5b-10

The apostle James spends so much time talking about the tongue’s destructive nature that he fails to tout its edifying, constructive, germinative, and creative potential. His failure starts in his depiction of fire as only being destructive. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.

God Can Go Where?

Tyler Mayfield
Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible and Old Testament

September 21, 2012
Ezekiel 10:18-22

During a time of national crisis, Ezekiel dares to imagine a God who can move outside the Temple to be with God’s people. Listen to the sermon.

Have You Seen Jesus Lately?

Debra J. Mumford
Frank H. Caldwell Associate Professor of Homiletics
Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs

April 20, 2012
Luke 24:17-21

The travelers on the road to Emmaus could not see Jesus even when he was right in front of him.  Where to we see Jesus today, and how do we help others see Jesus in us?  Listen to the sermon.

Moving From Fear to Peace

Bradley J. Wigger
Second Presbyterian Church Professor of Christian Education

April 13, 2012
John 20:19-31

The disciples are locked up in the house of fear. Shut in by their own fears. This is living inside the box, living inside the tomb. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.

Embodying Ethics: Solidarity in Action

Dr. M Shawn Copeland

Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Boston College

September 23, 2012

Katie Geneva Cannon Lecture

Recognizing that solidarity is basic and necessary in realizing the body of Christ, Dr. Cannon explores the role of conversation, and its task of leading through critical reflection into knowledge - which then should lead to responsible action.  Listen to the lecture.

We Journey by Stages

Lauren Jones Mayfield
Chapel Coordinator

September 14, 2012
Genesis 12:1-9

As Abram received his call to bless the nations, and as he fulfilled that call in stages, we too, must serve God as we process God's mystery and movement in the world.  Listen to the sermon.

How Much Change Is Really Possible?

Susan R. Garrett
Dean of the Seminary and Professor of New Testament Studies

September 6, 1012
Fall Convocation

As a Seminary claiming the Reformed theological heritage, here at LPTS we affirm that the promise of personal transformation at the heart of the Gospel has profound institutional implications. Listen to the address.  Read the address in PDF.

Missed Opportunity for D2D (Doors to Dialogue)

Debra J. Mumford
Frank H. Caldwell Associate Professor of Homiletics
Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs
 
May 20, 2012
Baccalaureate Sermon
Esther 9: 1-4

When the formerly downtrodden Jews became a force to be reckoned with in the Persian empire did they choose the path of retribution against those who had plotted against them, or did they choose the path of peace and reconciliation?  Listen to the sermon.

Prayer of Thanksgiving - Commencement 2012

On this day that you have made, O God, full of life, full of memories, full of hope and full of promise, we raise our voices to sing our joy and your praise, and to give you thanks, for your constant presence and steadfast love that has formed us, nurtured us, and been our daily bread. By your grace, we’ve shared in your profound and constant creation, ever forming us, reforming us, and joining us to one another, to this pulsing earth, to countless communities of your children of love, born of every color, bound by every faith, all made in your Holy image and entrusted with your hope for a just and peaceful world where lions and lambs lie down with one another and all things are made new. For such inexhaustible grace and unrelenting hope, O God, we give you thanks.

We thank you for the pathways that have brought us to this longed for day of new beginning. Without your call, we could not have begun the journey; without your help, we could not have found the courage to come this far; without the many hands and hearts and voices, acts of kindness, and embraces that absorbed our tears and fears, we could not stand where we do now on the edge of dreams fulfilling. We give you thanks for those who have cheered for us, prayed for us, stood firm for us, been patient with us, sacrificed for us, and never stopped believing that it is your call to ministry that has turned our lives upside down and summons us to join with you to heal a fractured world and fill it with abundant life and love. For hearts of compassion, insightful, questioning minds, and for the Spirit’s gifts for healing, preaching, teaching, listening and leading, we are deeply grateful.

On our way rejoicing, O God, our Holy and constant companion, we thank you above all that we can trust you will not leave us alone in the days and years to come; that tears in the night pass away in the morning; and your promise to be with us and guide us along paths yet unknown is renewed every day after day after day.

Redeemed in Christ, guided by Gospel, and empowered by God’s calling Spirit, we offer our thanks in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Commencement Address - 2012

The Rev. Mr. George Heartwell
Mayor of Grand Rapids, MI

May 20, 2012
Commencement

Climate change is destroying species and pitting wealthy nations against impoverished nations.  This is, in fact, an ethical failing. The task today is to reflect on our role as earth-keepers, those given dominion over plants and animals, oceans and deserts, mountains and canyons; those charged with being neighbor to the one in need.  Read the address.

A Pedagogy of Redemption

In honor of David Hester's retirement from the office of Dean of the Seminary and the resumption of his teaching at LPTS we are republishing his sermon originally preached at Convocation on February 17, 2006.

Happy David Hester Day at LPTS!

David C. Hester
Dean of the Seminary
VP for Academic Affairs
Professor of Christian Education

Romans 8: 18-25
Micah 4:1-4
Originally preached at Convocation on February 17, 2006

Louisville Seminary is at a kairos moment in its life, as we commit ourselves to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural community and begin in the fall a new curriculum. Our vocation and identity as a seminary of the Presbyterian Church (USA), with the mission of preparing men and women to participate in the continuing redemptive ministry of Jesus Christ for the world, requires us to have a "pedagogy of redemption" that equips our students to be practical theologians who can, in turn, teach those they serve to live redemptively in the world God loves. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.

The Awakening

Christopher Elwood
Professor of Historical Theology

March 30, 2012

Psalm 118, Mark 11:1-18

It’s a familiar ritual, this processional entry of a messiah into Jerusalem. It often becomes for us a time for palm-waving and half-hearted hosannas, celebration that quickly moves offstage as we prepare for the somber and more deeply spiritual events of Holy Week. But what if the Judean Spring of long ago is a key to Jesus’ genuinely revolutionary mission? What if we find in these stories the wild upsetter of our habit of getting used to the world as given to us? No wonder we hurry to get this troublemaker on to a cross! Listen to the sermon.

The Name of a Happy Ending

Heather Thiessen

Former Coordinator of the Women’s Center at LPTS

February 17, 2012
Job 42:10-17

The elimination of violence against women and girls is completely possible. It is simply asking for what most kindergarten teachers routinely ask for in their classrooms: no hitting, no hurting our neighbors, taking turns and keeping our hands to ourselves. If we can expect it of the average 5-year-old, we can surely expect it of the average person.  Listen to the sermon.  Read the sermon in PDF.

The Politics of Black Religion

Barbara D. Savage

Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and Professor of History in the Department of History of the University of Pennsylvania

April 11, 2012

Grawemeyer Award in Religion Lecture

Dr. Savage received the prize for the ideas set forth in her book, Your Spirits Walk Beside Us: The Politics of Black Religion which introduces important new perspectives on the study of black religion and the political role of African American churches.

Dr. Savage explains why it is misleading to speak of ‘the black church’ given the enormous diversity among African American congregations. She also challenges the popular belief that black churches have been prophetic and politically active throughout history. Listen to the lecture.

Hearts on Fire

Michael Jinkins

President and Professor of Theology

Luke 24:13-35

I John 1:7-9 and 4:7-17

Reflect for a moment on what it means for us that Jesus Christ calls us to follow him. We are born-again and again and again throughout our lives. We rise daily to new life in Jesus Christ. We keep on rising daily to new life throughout our lives.  Listen to the sermon.  Read the sermon in PDF.

Psalm 25 - Our Hope and God’s Memory

David  C. Hester

Dean of the Seminary

Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Harrison Ray Anderson Professor of Pastoral Theology

March 24, 2012

Psalm 25:1-12

Worry about sin, appeals for help, and hope for forgiveness and restoration—these themes are found in Psalm 25.  Listen to the sermon.  Read the sermon in PDF.