Stirring the Spirit with Scriptural Study, Honest Conversation

Seminaries to hold "Biblical Imagination" event in Indianapolis

"A Muslim, a Jew and a Christian walk into a café...." It may sound like a joke in search of a punchline, but it is actually one of a series of compelling workshops that make up Restoring the Biblical Imagination, a fascinating program that the new federation of Bexley Hall Seminary and Seabury Western Theological Seminary are bringing to Indianapolis on April 26. The free event takes place from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at Christian Theological Seminary, 1000 W. 42nd Street. 

"We want to explore the richness of Christian symbols, especially the rich language of Scripture, in a way that encourages honest religious conversation rather than stopping it cold," said the Rev. Roger A. Ferlo, president of Bexley and Seabury, who designed the event and secured support for it from the Henry A. Luce Foundation. "Only by restoring our sense of generosity and beauty in our own scriptural traditions can we participate with integrity in the vibrant pluralism that more and more defines the American religious experience."  

The afternoon's first workshop, titled "A Muslim, a Jew and a Christian Walk into a Cafe:  Building Relationships through Scriptural Study," will introduce participants to a method of interfaith study called "Scriptural Reasoning." 

"In Scriptural Reasoning, Christians, Muslims and Jews come together in conversation around our scriptures, but there is no larger agenda," said the Rev. Dr. Jason Fout, professor at Bexley Hall and organizer of the workshop. "We engage the scriptures for the sake of God, not for the sake of saying, 'See, we all believe the same thing.' One of the wonderful things in Scriptural Reasoning is that we come as a Christian, we come as a Jew, we come as a Muslim. It is through the deep particularity of our faith that we come together. We often have a convergence, but we also disagree." 

Fout will lead the workshop with Sarah Snyder of the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme in Cambridge, England, Joshua Stanton of the Center for Global Judaism at Hebrew College in Massachusetts, and Homayra Ziad, assistant professor of religion at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
The second workshop, "The Bible for Nones:  Sights and Sounds of Scripture," will be an experiential workshop that uses images and sound to explore the Bible. 

"Scriptural truth beyond words appeals to the heart as well as the mind," said the Rev. Dr. John Dally, organizer of the workshop and professor at Seabury Western Theological Seminary. "We will explore ways of reflecting on scripture that can provide openings for conversations with the growing number of Americans who identify with no religious group." 

Joining Dally at the workshop will be the Rev. Dr. Frank Yamada, president of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, and the Rev. Shaun Whitehead, associate chaplain at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. 

"Restoring the Biblical Imagination" will begin with a keynote address by Ferlo, who became president of Bexley Hall and Seabury Western Theological Seminary in July. He will be formally installed at a church service, called a festival Eucharist, the next day. The Friday event will conclude with a panel discussion moderated by Ferlo. 

To learn more about the free event, register to attend, or buy a ticket to a closing reception, visit www.seabury.edu/inaugural or call 773.380.6785.