Theological Conference

2008 Theological Conference: Igniting Biblical Imagination
September 28-30, Arrowwood Resort, Alexandria

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The registration deadline is August 27!

Rostered leaders from the Saint Paul Area and Minneapolis Area Synods are invited to this year's theological conference  at Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria. Dr. David Lose, associate professor in Biblical preaching at Luther Seminary, is the keynote speaker.

Only 5-10 percent of Lutherans report that they are in a Bible study of any kind. Why is this, and what can we do to nurture a more lively and active sense of the power of Scripture and Bible study? The key, as we will discuss during our time together, is to ignite and cultivate a Biblical imagination. The Bible, at core, is a story—an audacious, breathtaking story that tries to make sense of our lives with each other and before God. By taking the narrative nature of Scripture seriously, and by placing this story alongside the other stories that shape our lives, we will practice ways of opening up Scripture in our lives and in our congregations.

Session 1: Homo Narrans – Reaching our People Through Story
After stating the challenge in front of us, we’ll probe our own deep relationship to stories, sharing some of the stories of our lives and some of the stories that have shaped our lives as preparation for entering the Biblical story.

Session 2: The Perils of Yahweh – Entering Scripture as Story
What difference does it make to treat Scripture as a story? What challenges are there to doing so? What are the Biblical stories that have most shaped our lives?

Session 3: A Few Words on Biblical Authority
We confess that Scripture is the “norm for our faith and life.” What do we really mean by that? How is Scripture authoritative today? And, what do we do with people who have a very different idea of Scriptural authority than we do?

Session 4: Bringing Scripture Alive in the Congregation
In this closing session we will suggest, discuss, and practice a variety of means by which to engage our congregations in lively and productive engagement with Scripture.

About David Lose
David Lose holds the Marbury Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary where he has also served as academic dean.Lose is currently the director of the Center for Biblical Preaching and director of Luther’s new Center for Faith and Life. He is the author of Confessing Jesus Christ: Preaching in a Postmodern World and is currently at work on a book on vocation and the law/gospel distinction.