Novosaratovka
From August 14 to 22 a course entitled “Introduction to the Spiritual Life” was held in the ELC Theological Seminary in Novosaratovka for students of the distance education program. A short introduction was made by the Seminary President Anton Tikhomirov.. Later Acting Archbishop Dietrich Brauer addressed the students, emphasizing the responsibility we have before the Lord for the knowledge and gifts we have been given. Anton Tikhomirov's cycle of lectures dove into the enchanting and rather terrifying world of the mystical theology of Rudolf Otto. The ideas of the
“masks of God” and of numinosity were compared in the works of Otto, Luther and Meister Eckhart. In his lectures Dr. Tichomirov united the question “what is spirituality?” with such diverse themes as “call,” “church state relations,” “orthodoxy and its limits,” and “pietism.” Students brought up questions like - “is the material world sinful or does sin strike the spirit of fallen man? Is it possible to “wrestle with God” and then receive a blessing? What are the apophatic and cataphatic approaches to theology, and what was Bonhoeffer talking about when he spoke of “religionless Christianity?” In this class students did not feel like “objects” of the educational process, but like subjects seeking out the deepest spiritual mysteries.
Bradn Buerkle took turns leading lectures with the Seminary President. He spoke about the development of monasticism (especially in its western European forms), and told stories of various orders' foundations... It was also interesting for us to consider a Lutheran approach to monasticism. Before leaving the students came together for a departing feast, games, skits and songs. That was a great way to end the seminar. There was only one problem that the students noticed – it came to an end too soon.
From August 14 to 22 a course entitled “Introduction to the Spiritual Life” was held in the ELC Theological Seminary in Novosaratovka for students of the distance education program. A short introduction was made by the Seminary President Anton Tikhomirov.. Later Acting Archbishop Dietrich Brauer addressed the students, emphasizing the responsibility we have before the Lord for the knowledge and gifts we have been given. Anton Tikhomirov's cycle of lectures dove into the enchanting and rather terrifying world of the mystical theology of Rudolf Otto. The ideas of the
Bradn Buerkle took turns leading lectures with the Seminary President. He spoke about the development of monasticism (especially in its western European forms), and told stories of various orders' foundations... It was also interesting for us to consider a Lutheran approach to monasticism. Before leaving the students came together for a departing feast, games, skits and songs. That was a great way to end the seminar. There was only one problem that the students noticed – it came to an end too soon.
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