UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Theology Thursday

Theology Thursday—on Monday! (Nov. 13)

Theology Thursday Movie Night—Celebrating Indigenous Cosmologies, History, and Governance.

What does theology have to do with Indigenous traditions in what we now call the United States? Come find out not only how Indigenous people’s self-governance inspired U.S. political structure but also how differing cosmologies shape community values of respect and reverence. A screening of the short film Without a Whisper: Konnon:kwe will be followed by a group discussion.

Brian Doyle Auditorium, November 13, from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

All are welcome!

Theology Thursday: “Politics, Colonization, and the Weaponization of the Bible: A Transformative Vision” (Sept. 21)

In this presentation, Carol Dempsey, OP, PhD, explores not only how various interpreters of the Bible normalize and reinscribe oppression in our cultural world today, but also how the book can be read for global justice, liberation, and transformation.

Dundon-Berchtold Hall – Brian Doyle Auditorium September 21, 2023, 5 p.m.-6 p.m. 

Carol J. Dempsey, OP, PhD, Professor of Theology (Biblical Studies) is Vice President and President Elect of the Catholic Bible Association of America. She serves on several professional editorial boards, has published and edited over 18 books, and is currently working on a commentary on Isaiah for Liturgical Press’s Wisdom Commentary Series, a volume on What It Means to be Catholic in the New Diaspora, and an edited volume with Norah Martin, PhD, that engages environmental studies and biblical studies around the theme of hope. The latter two volumes will be published by Lexington Books.  

For questions on ADA accommodations, please email wheelerr@up.edu 

Theology Thursday (Apr. 13)

Join us for Theology Thursday: A Gospel Against Wealth? Reflections on Philanthropy and Justice in the Light of Luke’s Jesus on April 13 from 7–8:30 p.m. in the Brian Doyle Auditorium.  

The Gospel of Luke, more than other accounts of Jesus’s life and ministry, is often understood to depict Jesus’s stance against social injustices on behalf of marginalized individuals, especially the poor. For instance, in Luke, Jesus makes strong statements against the accumulation of wealth and in favor of almsgiving. And yet, it is a question whether Jesus intends to criticize all wealth or whether he offers insight into how one might give charity in strategic, equitable, and sustainable ways. In exploring these issues and passages related to them, this talk will examine some current debates in American philanthropy and its financial support of U.S. nonprofits. What good is philanthropy serving? How do charitable foundations make their impact? What role do individuals play? Can Jesus help? 

Jordan Eugene Skornik has taught at the University of Portland as an Adjunct Professor of Theology since 2019. In 2018, he received his Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School, with a specialty in the history and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. Outside of teaching, Skornik works as a nonprofit leader. He is currently Executive Director of Borland Free Clinic, a faith-based medical clinic offering free services to the uninsured and underserved of south metro Portland. Skornik is married to the Rev. Andria Skornik, an Episcopal priest in SE Portland, with whom he has two sons: Jacoby and Levi. 

For questions on ADA accommodations, please email andrewme@up.edu. 

Theology Thursday: Ecospirituality & Ecopsychology: Strangers, Rivals, or Partners? (Feb. 9) 

Rachel Wheeler explores the relationship between two subdisciplines within spirituality and psychology, both prefixed with eco-, indicating specific ways spirit and mind function within human identity and the more-than-human. In this talk, she considers what the applied forms of these subdisciplines–ecospiritual practice and ecotherapy, respectively–offer each other, making the case for a relationship between ecospirituality and ecopsychology that may begin with, but is not limited to, being strangers, rivals, or partners. 

Where: Terrace Room, Bauccio Commons

When: February 9, from 7 p.m–8:30 p.m.

For questions on ADA accommodations, please email andrewme@up.edu.

Theology Thursday (Nov. 3) 

Join us November 3, from 7–9 p.m. in the Brian Doyle Auditorium for Theology Thursday with Christina Astorga, who will present “Reckoning with Abortion: A Dialogue of Perspectives.” Abortion is at the heart of the political and cultural wars in the United States. It has torn apart the moral fiber of the nation. Abortion is a complex issue that calls for a perspectival dialogue of Church magisterium, theologians/ethicists, pro-life and pro-choice activists regarding the moral status of the fetus, women issues, law and policy (Roe vs. Wade).

For questions on ADA accommodations, please email andrewme@up.edu. 

Theology Thursday: “Good News About Jesus and the Resurrection?” Feb. 6

The next Theology Thursday lecture will take place on February 6 when UP theology professor Nina Henrichs-Taransenkova presents “Good News About Jesus and the Resurrection? Good News to Whom?” The lecture is 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. in Franz Hall room 120 and is free and open to all.

Henrichs-Taransenkova’s talk will explore how the early Christian message about Jesus’ resurrection and ascension could be understood as “good” news, especially to the marginalized, in light of what people of the first-century Greco-Roman world believed about the afterlife. 

For ADA accommodations or event information contact the theology department at x7274 or  mackinno@up.edu. 

Theology Thursday, Sept. 19: “Sacramental Justice & The Mission of Holy Cross”

The next Theology Thursday lecture will feature David Turnbloom, theology, as he presents “Sacramental Justice and the Mission of Holy Cross” on Thursday, September 19, at 7:15 p.m., in Franz Hall room 120. Turnbloom will examine the relationship between sacraments and justice using the constitution of the Congregation of Holy Cross as a guide.

For more information or ADA accommodations contact theology at x7274 or mackinno@up.edu.

Theology Thursday Lecture, April 4

The next Theology Thursday lecture will be “The Johannine Apocalypse: Icon of Liturgy,” by Fr. George Gray, theology, on Thursday, April 4, 7:15 p.m., in Franz Hall Room 120.

Take a guided tour of the Book of Revelation with Fr. George Gray. View the Apocalypse through the lens of worship and liturgy in order to gain a new, (yet ancient) experience of the extraordinary and timeless vision of John the Theologian. Please bring your Bible.

For ADA accommodations or more information contact Deborah MacKinnon, theology, at x7274 or mackinno@up.edu.

Theology Thursday Lecture, Feb. 21

The next Theology Thursday lecture will be “Kids, Persistent Toxins, and Catholic Social Teaching,” by Russ Butkus, theology, and Steve Kolmes, environmental studies, on Thursday, February 21, 7:15 p.m., in Shiley Hall room 319.

Recently there have been some disturbing developments at the Environmental Protection Agency regarding public health and in particular the health of American kids. This presentation will address the special vulnerability of children to the bioaccumulation of persistent toxins, and address the ensuing negative health effects. The presentation will also provide a brief summary of current environmental legislation (2016 Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act) and conclude with the argument from Catholic social teaching that children exposed to environmental toxins is a violation of their human right to bodily integrity and health.

For ADA accommodations or more information contact Deborah MacKinnon, theology, at x7274 or mackinno@up.edu.

Theology Thursday Lecture with Jon Stanfill, Nov. 1

The next Theology Thursday lecture will be presented by Jon Stanfill, visiting instructor of theology, on Thursday, November 1, at 7:15 p.m., in Franz Hall room 120. Stanfill’s talk, titled “The Body of Christ’s Barbarian Limb: John Chrysostomos Theology of Ethnic Diversity,” will explore how John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople, challenged prevailing ethnic prejudices of late Roman Empire times and provocatively argued for a more inclusive Christian faith.

For more information or ADA accommodations, contact the theology office at x7274 or mackinno@up.edu.