Seminary Saturday – February 4, 2012

Holy Entanglements:  Christian Mysticism and the Quantum Universe
Dr. Catherine Keller, Professor of Constructive Theology

What Einstein called “spooky action at a distance” (he didn’t mean the Holy Ghost!) has recently been proven to be the case: the universe is mysteriously and instantly interconnected at any distance. We will explore the affinity between the emerging quantum cosmology of entanglement, or “inseparability,” and a half millennium old Christian cosmology from the mystical tradition. Together these suggest a profound new sense of the creation.

The relations that braid us together with everyone and everything else imply at once great meaning and great responsibility: economically, interculturally, interreligiously, and with increasing urgency, ecologically. We will explore the theological meanings of the new cosmology and the cosmological meanings of some old theology.

This seminar presumes no scientific background at all. Cosmology, or world-teaching, is not about external facts, outer space or indifferent electrons.  In our conversation we will explore metaphors about our moment to moment experience of self, world and the divinity that enfolds us all.

Spirituals: Resisting Oppression and Planting Seeds of Liberation
Mark Miller, Director of Music and Assistant Professor of Church Music

From the depths of the most infamous chapter of U.S. history,  rise up the Spirituals, the music of a people long oppressed by slavery. The inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not snuff out the beauty and power expressed in the primal words and music of these songs.

The spirituals come down to us as a treasure that still inspires and moves us to acts of resistance and justice. In this class without quizzes we will sing, listen, and share the stories from this great genre and find ways to honor the music in our worship life today.