Press Release for Upcoming Evangelical/Liberal Dialogue

(The following is a shameless plug)

United Theological Seminary Of The Twin Cities And Bethel Seminary Seek “Third Perspective” In An Evangelical/Liberal Dialogue.

Minneapolis, MN Tuesday, October 30, 2007 – Theologians from two Twin Cities seminaries—one with a liberal perspective and one with a conservative perspective—are joining forces to find a third perspective. Eleazar Fernandez, of United Theological Seminary, and Kyle Roberts, of Bethel Seminary, will lead a forum titled CAN WE TALK? AN EVANGELICAL/LIBERAL DIALOGUE on Thursday, November 8^th at 7:30. The topic of the forum is, “Does Christianity Have A Monopoly On Salvation?”

“No, it’s not a wrestling match between two theologians with different points of view,” laughed Roberts, assistant professor of systematic theology at Bethel Seminary. “I doubt anyone would benefit from that. It’s a theological discussion that aims to help each side come closer to the truth and therefore closer to each other. Even between diverse communities of faith like Bethel and United Theological Seminary—just a bike ride apart in the Twin Cities—dialogue about God and salvation can sometimes feel like watching the movie Babel or Lost in Translation. We believe meaningful conversation with persons different from us can help clear up an otherwise murky view. “

“I agree,” said Fernandez, professor of constructive theology at United. “I believe this form of dialogue is very important. It shows the wider world that we are committed to dialogical conversation and are willing to learn from each other. To engage in religious dialogue is a way to transcend the polarizing discourse so prevalent in our society. We hope in the dialogue, we discover ways to work with our differences and maximize our convergences for the sake of greater social well-being.”

The forum is open to the public and will be held in Bigelow Chapel at United Theological Seminary. There is a $10 fee. Those interested in attending should register at www.unitedseminary.edu, or call 651.255.6137.

Eleazar Fernandez is professor of constructive theology at United and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. He earned his M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines, his Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University . He is the author of Reimagining the Human: Theological Anthropology in Response to Systemic Evil.

Kyle Roberts is assistant professor of systematic theology at Bethel Seminary. Roberts earned his M.Div. at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Ph.D. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His dissertation was on Søren Kierkegaard’s understanding of the role of Scripture in the development of authentic selfhood.

For more information contact:

William Andrews – Marketing 612.220.3900
Cindi Beth Johnson 651-255-6137

For Immediate Release: October 30, 2007 9:00 AM CST