Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ

October 25, 2015
On Campus

Social Ethics Presentation

Larry Rasmussen Speaks On Social Ethics At 2015 Sauer Luther Symposium

Springfield, Ohio - Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ University welcomes Larry Rasmussen, Reinhold Niebuhr professor emeritus of social ethics at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, to deliver the Kenneth H. Sauer Luther Symposium as part of the 2015-16 Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Bayley Auditorium, Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center.

Rasmussen’s address, titled “Earth-Honoring Faith: A Lutheran Responds to Climate Change,†is based on his latest book, Earth-Honoring Faith: Religious Ethics in a New Key (Oxford, 2013). In the book, Rasmussen argues that the challenges of climate change and species extinction require human beings to change their way of living on earth, since without change the consequences will be dire.

A native of Minnesota, Rasmussen is one of the world’s leading Christian environmental ethicists. Rasmussen earned his bachelor’s degrees in history and philosophy from St. Olaf College, a bachelor of divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary, and his Th.D. from Union Theological Seminary. He taught at St. Olaf before serving as a professor of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Rasmussen taught at Union Theological Seminary for 18 years, and he also served as co-moderator of the Justice, Peace, Creation unit of the World Council of Churches from 1990-2000 and St. John Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵing Professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 2006.

In addition to his address, Rasmussen will participate in a panel discussion and question and answer session with Professor of Chemistry Dave Finster and Professor of Economics Dave Wishart at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Ness Auditorium, Hollenbeck Hall.

The Kenneth H. Sauer Symposium is made possible by an endowment established in honor of The Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Sauer, Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ class of 1952, at the time of his retirement as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran church in America’s Southern Ohio Synod in 1996.

Now in its 33rd year, the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Series brings distinguished lecturers and performing artists of national and international prominence to the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ campus and Springfield community. To make special arrangements, request a Series poster, or become a friend of the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Series, contact Nuggie Libecap at libecapn@wittenberg.edu. All Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Series events are free and open to the public.

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About Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ

Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ's curriculum has centered on the liberal arts as an education that develops the individual's capacity to think, read, and communicate with precision, understanding, and imagination. We are dedicated to active, engaged learning in the core disciplines of the arts and sciences and in pre-professional education grounded in the liberal arts. Known for the quality of our faculty and their teaching, Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ has more Ohio Professors of the Year than any four-year institution in the state. The university has also been recognized nationally for excellence in community service, sustainability, and intercollegiate athletics. Located among the beautiful rolling hills and hollows of Springfield, Ohio, Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ offers more than 100 majors, minors and special programs, enviable student-faculty research opportunities, a unique student success center, service and study options close to home and abroad, a stellar athletics tradition, and successful career preparation.

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