Brave New World: Ethical and Pastoral Issuses of Death and Dying
About the time of the Great Depression a British novelist imagined a dystopic future where the social collective engineered human genetics to fit society's needs, controlled its citizens' biology to guarantee docility, and ensured that no one lived long enough to become an eyesore or a burden. This Brave New World of Aldous Huxley is no longer science fiction; it is science. Amniocentesis eliminates the birth of Down's syndrome children and genetic manipulation can produce a 200 IQ on demand. Organ transplants offer robust health to those who can afford to purchase it, and a potential black market for those who cannot afford to keep it. Advocates of "death with dignity" promise a painless escape from the humiliation – and humility – of old age.
Our Colloquium program this semester will focus on the search for a Christian response to these and other challenges surrounding the issue of death and dying. From deeply theological foundations to practically pastoral expressions, we will seek to learn more about how our faith speaks to these matters. As followers of the One whose implausible birth, difficult life, and shameful death provide landmarks on the narrow way that leads to life, we will explore a specifically Christian understanding and practice.
Remember that the conversation does not have to end when each week's Colloquium dismisses. The class Blackboard site contains a Discussion Board with threads established for each week. Please log on to record your views and respond to those of your fellow students.
Tentative Schedule for Spring 2008 Colloquium
September 4:
President's Chapel
Tony Celelli, President, South Texas School of Christian Studies
September 11: "The Gift of Death's Story"
Chaplain David Mann, Valley Baptist Health System
September 18: "Resume-Writing Workshop"
James Stone,
Director of Placement and Congregational Resourcing, Logsdon Seminary, Abilene
(Chapel will meet in Classroom B)
September 25: Self Symposium Chapel
Dr. James Denison, Pastor, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas
(Dr. Denison's Paper: History of Western Worldview)
Albert Reyes, President, Buckner Children & Family Services
October 2: "Inequities in a Justice-Based Ethic of Death and Dying"
Dr. Larry Ashlock, B. H. Carroll Seminary
October 9: "Small Group, Big Ministry: How the Small Group/Sunday School can Minister During a Time of Grief"
Dr. Brad Williamson, Minister of Education, South Main Baptist Church, Pasadena
October 16: "Grief and Loss Throughout Life: Implications for Pastoral Care"
Chaplain Mirjam Berger, CHRISTUS Spohn Memorial Hospital
October 23: Gina Vaughan in Concert
Chapel will meet in the Virginia Storm Auditorium
October 30: "Ongoing Pastoral Care for the Dying,"
Molly Armstrong, Director of Psychosocial Services, Lighthouse Hospice, Corpus Christi
November 6: "Insights of a Survivor"
Suzanne Wood, Bevill & Wood Financial Services, Corpus Christi
November 13: "Understanding Loss and Grief for Pastoral Ministry"
Dr. Jay Farrar, Pastor, Christ's Fellowship by the Bay, Corpus Christi
November 20: "Retrospective: Synthesis & Critical Discussion"
December 4: "Heaven"
Trevor Carpenter, Lead Pastor, Baptist Temple, McAllen