Incoming Dean Promises a Cross-Cultural
Perspective to Theological Education at SPU
SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY’S new dean of the School
of Theology never planned to enter the ministry. Raised primarily
in Northern Ireland, Colin Greene wanted to be a long jumper, then
a folk-rock musician. “The ministry was the last thing on my
mind,” he says, especially after living in Belfast during
Catholic/Protestant riots and bombings.
When he worked for a charity in England, however, Greene found that ministry
meant not just preaching inside a church but also working for a more just and
more compassionate society. Today, he says, he is convinced that “anything
is possible if God is behind the vision and Christ is to be glorified in and
through new initiatives of the Spirit.”
For years, Greene has been working as scholar and preacher on issues that mesh
with SPU’s own vision for engaging the culture and changing the world.
“How does one radically engage with
the culture?” Greene has often asked in his writings and sermons. “What
does it mean to take the Bible and the Christian faith into the public square?”
Vice President for Academic Affairs Les Steele says, “It’s Colin’s
academic work in cultural engagement that made us feel he would fit right in
at Seattle Pacific.”
Author of Christology in Cultural Perspective (Paternoster, 2003; Eerdmans, 2004),
Greene’s main interest is to make theology work in the world. “I have
a concern for a vital form of Christian discipleship and for the intellectual
underpinning of one’s faith, so it’s not shabby faith,” he explains.
Greene arrived in August from the British and Foreign Bible Society, where he
had been head of theology and public policy. Steele notes one example of Greene’s
ability to “radically engage with the culture.” During Greene’s
tenure, the Society was involved with a major animation feature-length film, “The
Miracle Maker,” based on Luke’s gospel. The Society worked
with Russian animators, a Welsh television company and internationally known
actors. The film was telecast in the United States and opened in theatres
throughout much of the rest of the world.
A confirmed globetrotter, Greene brings a cross-cultural perspective to Seattle
Pacific. He plans to make future SPU graduate programs in theology interdisciplinary,
incorporating theatre, history and other academic fields. For now, he wants
to enliven communication between colleagues and students with “Irish humor” and
old-fashioned conversation.
“In four years at a university, there’s an awful lot that can be
brought into a person’s life through a generous, compassionate educational
experience,” Greene says. “It’s not about drilling stuff into
students but about opening them to tremendous riches. Those riches can
be found not just in Western but also in multicultural traditions.”
Back to the top
Back to Campus |
|
From the President
“What is a college education really worth?” asks President Philip Eaton. With
universities under scrutiny today, SPU must reflect about its influence and impact.
Closing the Gap
In the final year of The Campaign for SPU, the University has strong momentum
heading into the stretch. [Campaign]
Fighting for Family
The U.S. Marines asked Les and Leslie Parrott for help to strengthen the home
life of soldiers returning from long Iraq deployments. [Faculty]
Creativity Takes
Flight
Theatre graduate Sam Vance '96 is a man with the kind
of vision needed by the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington.
[Alumni]
Basketball
Down Under
The men's basketball team took a journey to the other side of the world, and
Assistant Coach Dan Barfoot shares his journal of the trip. [Athletics]
My Response
“Dear Time Capsule Openers,” wrote Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Bruce
Congdon to SPU students, faculty and alumni in 2053. His letter is now in a time
capsule in SPU's new Science Building. |
|