Dr. Peter Rollins, working philosophical theologian and founder of the Ikon collective in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will visit Luther Seminary November 2-4. His host while at Luther is Dr. Christian Scharen, Assistant Professor of Worship, and his is visit is sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, Luther Seminary.
Peter holds a B.A. in Scholastic Philosophy, M.A. in political theology and criticism, and a Ph.D. in postmodern theory. His first book, How (Not) to Speak of God (Paraclete 2006) was widely read and blogged in emerging church circles. His second book, just out, is The Fidelity of Betrayal: Towards a Church Beyond Belief (Paraclete 2008). The intensity and creativity of his work with Ikon and his ideas in these two books have drawn many people into the challenging question of how to live faithfully in North Atlantic post-Christian societies.
We invite participation of Luther Seminary friends, students, staff and faculty in any and all events related to his visit.
Reading Group
Those from the Twin Cities area, along with members of the Luther community, will read two books in preparation for Peter Rollins’ visit. After reading each, we will gather for conversation. Additionally, we will meet with Peter to discuss his book. Please email Chris Scharen to register for the reading groups. Peter Rollins book The Fidelity of Betrayal will soon be available at the Luther Seminary bookstore. Order Zizek's from a local bookstore, Amazon, etc.
The first book, Slavoj Zizek’s The Puppet and the Dwarf, provides us an in-depth look at the philosophical background of Peter Rollins’ work. Published in 2003 by MIT Press, the book “offers a close reading of today’s religious constellation from the viewpoint of Lacanian psychoanalysis. He critically confronts both predominant versions of today’s spirituality—New Age Gnosticism and deconstructionist-Levinasian Judism—and then tries to redeem the ‘materialist’ kernel of Christianity. Meeting: October 12, 9:00 p.m. at 1477 Grantham St., Saint Paul (Bring eats and drinks to share)
The second book, Peter Rollins’ The Fidelity of Betrayal: Towards a Church Beyond Belief, asks: What if one of the core elements of a radical Christianity demanded that you betray it, while the ultimate act of affirming God required the forsaking of God? And what if fidelity to the Judeo-Christian Scriptures demanded their renunciation? In short, perhaps the only way of finding real faith involves betraying that faith with a kiss, as Judas did to Christ. Meeting: October 26, 9:00 p.m. at TBA
We will meet a third time, November 2, 9:00 p.m. at TBA with Peter to discuss our reading of Zizek and Peter’s own book, as well as talk about our sense of Christianity in our contexts.
Public Lecture and Book-signing
On Monday November 3 at 7:00 p.m. Peter Rollins will offer a public lecture titled: “Transformance Art: Faith, Fetishism and Worldly Christianity”. The lecture will be held at Luther Seminary’s Chapel of the Incarnation. He will be available afterwards for book signing and conversation. The Fidelity of Betrayal will be available for sale in the Luther Seminary Bookstore during regular hours and the evening of the lecture.
Election Chapel
On Tuesday November 4 at 10:00 a.m. Peter Rollins, together with Christian Scharen and others, will lead an Election Day chapel on the theme “The Difference Between Remaining Silent and Saying Nothing.”
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