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Academics

Staley Lectures

The Staley Distinguished Scholar series is one of the projects of the Thomas F. Staley Foundation of New York.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Staley established this lectureship in the fall of 1969, in memory of their parents, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Staley and Judge and Mrs. H. H. Haynes of Bristol, Tenn.

The Thomas F. Staley Foundation is firmly persuaded that the message of the Christian gospel, when proclaimed in its historic fullness, is always contemporary, relevant and meaningful to any generation. To this end, the foundation seeks to bring to the college and university campuses of America distinguished scholars who truly believe and can clearly communicate to students.

2019

Sept. 18-19

Mike Martin and RAWtools

The father-and-son team of Fred (chief blacksmith) and Mike Martin of Colorado Springs, Colo., travel with their portable forge and tools to locations across the country, transforming guns into garden tools. The vision of RAWtools is not simply "turning swords into plowshares." "RAWtools, Inc. partners with communities in an effort to repurpose weapons for productive lifelong purpose. ... Each weapon will be connected to its new purpose, creating a story that will travel with the new tool. ... Story-telling offers communities the opportunity to lament the trauma violence has caused, as well as celebrate a new path forward. This is what swords to plows asks of us."

At Bethel, RAWtools was part of Service Day (Sept. 18) and the annual national Campaign Nonviolence Week of Action, sponsored locally by KIPCOR with community partners Peace Connections, Offender Victim Ministries and the Newton Ministerial Alliance.

2018 

Feb. 25-26

Malinda Elizabeth Berry

Malinda Berry is associate professor of theology and ethics at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. She has a B.A. from Goshen (Ind.) College, a master of arts in peace studies (MAPS) from AMBS, and an M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary, New York. 

Fast, Medium and Slow: Living Nonviolence at the Pace of Violence

When Lives Don't Seem to Matter: The Logic of Nonviolence in the Face of all the -isms

2017 

Feb. 12-13

Drew G.I. Hart

Drew Hart is assistant professor of theology at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa. He has a B.A. in biblical studies from Messiah, an M.Div. from Missio Seminary (Biblical Theological Seminary), Philadelphia, and a Ph.D. from Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.

Trouble I've Seen: Better Frameworks for Discussing Race and Racism Together

Who Can Be Trusted?: Breaking the Cycle of 400 Years of Bad Racial Intuition

2015 

Oct. 29-30

Safwat Marzouk

Safwat Marzouk is associate professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind. He has a bachelor's degree in theology and a master of arts in theological studies from Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, a master of sacred theology (STM) degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

The Nations Marching to the Mount of Zion: A Postcolonial Reading Beyond Imperialism and Universalism

Thinking Theologically about the Character of the Monsters in the Bible

2014 

Nov. 3

John F. Haught

John Haught is Distinguished Research Professor at Georgetown University. He has an undergraduate degree from St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, and a Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

A Conversation about Science and Faith: Conflict, Contrast or Compatible?

Evolution and Faith: What is at Stake?

2013  

Feb. 22

James Logan

James Logan is associate academic dean, professor of religion, professor and director of African and African-American studies, and National Endowment for the Humanities Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies at Earlham College, Richmond, Ind. He has a B.A. in psychology and pre-law from Goshen (Ind.) College, an M.A. in theology and ethics from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind., and a Ph.D. in religion and society from Princeton Theological Seminary.

The Prison Industrial Complex in Civil Society

Racism and the "Criminal Justice" System

Past lectures

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Bethel College prepares students for meaningful lives of work and service through faith formation, the liberal arts, and practical experience in career pathways.