Conference Day Sessions
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
1. The Church as a Redemptive Social Force
Recital Hall, 1 p.m.
The foremost evangelical scholar in Eastern Europe and advisor on reconciliation for national leaders in the Balkans, the United Nations and the U.S. State Department reflects on how Christians can be agents of the kingdom of God.
Dr. Anita Koeshall, Hogan Professor of Missions, AGTS
2. Redemption from the World of Human Trafficking
Recital Hall, 11 am and 3 p.m.
Human trafficking is now recognized as one of worst plagues in our world. This session will focus on both the opportunity for redemption from this slavery and stories of how it has happened.
Rev. Mike Bartel, Co-Founding Director of F.R.E.E. International
3. A Jewish View of Redemption
TR-101, 10 a.m.
The rabbi of the local synagogue provides us with a contemporary Reformed Jewish perspective on redemption and how it is similar to and different from our Christian understanding.
Rabbi Rita Sherwin, Temple Israel
4. Art as Redemptive Process
Art Gallery, 11 a.m.
How can making art help someone live through the deterioration and death of a spouse to cancer? We gain insight as the artist displays his work and talks about the healing creative process.
Stan Maples, Professor of Art
5. Beyond Magic: Redemption in Harry Potter
Recital Hall, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
This session will consider the thread of redemption themes in the entire Potter series and explore the character of Snape as a specific illustration of redemptive activity.
Dr. Diane Awbrey, Associate Professor of English
Justin Nyczepir, Evangel Junior
6. Redeeming Your Hard Time: Can the Criminal Justice System be Redemptive?
TR-107, 1 p.m.
This session will assess whether the American criminal justice system can be redemptive, foster positive change, and how Christians might be agents in the process.
Bob Cirtin, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
7. Can the Earth Heal Itself? Spiritual Lessons for Us
TR-107, 12 p.m.
The earth has a wonderful ability to heal itself. However, we must be aware of limits. What spiritual lessons can we draw from the earth’s healing?
Dr. Janice Schnake Green, Professor of Biology, MSU
8. Redeeming Evangelicalism from its “Uneasy Conscience”
T-217, 2 p.m.
This talk will explore the redemption of evangelicalism from its own “uneasy conscience,” focusing on the repudiation of anti-Semitism in the 1930’s and 1940’s and the recovery of social concern in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Dr. John Schmalzbauer, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, MSU
9. National Redemption as a Function of Forgiveness: A Case Study of the TRC in South Africa
TR-107, 2 p.m.
An eyewitness shares lessons learned from the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission established after the end of apartheid rule in South Africa.
Dr. Johan Mostert, Professor of Community Psychology, AGTS
10. Redemption, Love, and Family: A Discussion of the film Bella
TR-101, 1 p.m.
Panelists and attendees will discuss the themes of loss, redemption, love and healing as presented in the 2006 award-winning film Bella.
Dr. Chip Stanek, Assistant Professor of Communication
11. Redemption in Les Miserables
TR-102, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
This session will focus on how Hugo’s novel, now an enormously popular musical, graphically portrays how Jean Valjean is changed by the redemptive behavior of the priest and becomes an agent of redemption himself.
Dr. Robert Turnbull, Professor of French
12. Do Women Need Redemption from “the Curse”?
ZM-105, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Women have long been deemed suspect if not devilish because of Eve’s role in the Garden of Eden. Does Christ’s redemptive work liberate women from such guilt to become equal partners with men in the work of the kingdom?
Dr. Barb Cavaness, A/G Missionary for 40 Years and co-author of God’s Women: Then and Now
13. A Ride-Along to Paradise: A Muslim’s View
TR-102, 10 a.m.
Eternity in Paradise is the desire of every practicing Muslim. This session will address the ways, means and potential of redemption every Muslim understands and practices.
Dr. Mark Hausfeld, International Director of Global Initiative, Associate Professor of Urban & Islamic Studies, AGTS
14. Her Path to Paradise: A Muslim Woman’s Perilous Journey
Recital Hall, 9 a.m.
This session will explore what the Muslim woman expects to find in Paradise, how she hopes to get there, and what redemption has to do with it.
Lynda Hausfeld, Assemblies of God Missionary
15. Does Love Lose if Hell Happens? Rob Bell’s Love Wins
TR-101, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Rob Bell’s recent book has brought new attention to biblical teaching on divine judgment and hell. Who’s right – Bell or his many critics?
George P. Wood, Director of Ministerial Resourcing for the A/G and Executive Editor of Enrichment
16. Redemption in the Old and New Testaments: Continuity and Development
TR-101, 11 a.m.
Though we think mainly of Jesus’ death when we hear the word, redemption is a theme developed throughout the biblical narrative. This session will survey that material.
Dr. Wave Nunnally, Professor of Early Judaism and Christian Origins
17. Saved, Restored, Fulfilled: Stories of Redemption
TR-107, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Redemption arrives unexpectedly. Personal stories of redemption can be inspiring and encouraging because they represent a gift we all need and have elements we all can relate to.
Dr. Bob Paul, Co-President, National Institute of Marriage
18. Art: A Redemption Observed
TR-102, 1 p.m.
In the midst of tragedy art can speak of hope, healing and reconciliation. We will be viewing images of art that have made an impact on both the maker and the observer.
Steve Fielding, Adjunct Instructor of Art, MSU
19. Conversion in Greco-Roman Therapeutic Philosophy
TR-217, 10 a.m.
When the time was ripe, Christ came on the scene to save people. Therapeutic communities found in Greco-Roman cultures parallel the call to Christian conversion.
Dr. Doug Olena, Instructor of Philosophy
20. Redemption from what Addicts Us
ZM-105, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Christ’s victory over sin and death provides for redemption from the penalty of sin, but also for liberation from the forces that addict and control our daily behavior. This session offers encouragement and guidance.
Brian Upton, Director of Counseling Services
21. “The warrior embraced me”: The Cross Speaks of Christ as Battle Hero in the Medieval Dream Vision, The Dream of the Rood
TR-217, 9 a.m.
The cross is not only a symbol but a living character in this dream vision. Battle language is used to describe Christ’s suffering, but the battle is not fought by crossing blades but by denying self and enduring suffering.
Ladonna Friesen, Assistant Professor of English,Central Bible College
22. How to “Get over It”: An Operational Definition of Forgiveness
ZM-105, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
This session will present a working recovery model—involving exposure, confrontation, and forgiveness—of how to actually forgive oneself or others who have perpetrated harm. Testimonials of people who have used the model will be included.
Grant Jones, Professor of Psychology
23. Creating an Organizational Culture of Redemption
TR-102, 9 a.m.
An interactive session with a panel of Christian business leaders who share how they strive to create an organizational culture that develops and restores its people.
Bernie Dana, Assistant Professor of Business
24. Into the Woods: A Look at Redemption
Theater, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
A live scene from the musical Into the Woods demonstrating redemption in the lives of several fairy tale characters who are thrust together in unfortunate circumstances.
Angeline Bradford and Leah Zielbauer, Directors and Evangel Seniors
25. The Civil War as a Redemptive Experience
TR-101, 3 p.m.
The Civil War was the most traumatic experience in our national history. But In the midst of its death and suffering, a national religious revival resulted in the conversion of many soldiers and the return of many to the faith they had left behind when they went off to fight.
Dr. Larry Toll, Associate Professor of History
26. Redemption in Action
TR-107, 10 a.m.
Social work seniors will discuss their experiences of working with many whom society has cast aside as unredeemable. Can we gauge the heart of God by the amount of time Jesus spent with such people?
Lacey Nunnally, Assistant Professor of Social Work
27. Wherefore Art Thou, Redemption?
TR-217, 11 a.m.
What do the various aspects of redemption look like in Shakespeare’s plays? Join us as we examine how this theme in centuries-old literature can still transform us today.
Laurin Werner, Evangel Senior, Chelsea Peebles & Beth Kilsdonk, Evangel Juniors
28. Canceled
29. Make Your Coffee Count
(TR-102, 11 a.m.)
Come learn how Eurasia Café: Coffee and Tea is changing lives in 44 countries and territories by giving back to faith-based social justice causes and how you can be a part.
Charity Reeb, Eurasia Café Director of Marketing and Product Development
30. The Soul Cages … Sting's Attempt at Telling a Redemptive Story
Recital Hall, 2 p.m.
On the surface, Sting has it all. But for all of the success that he has achieved, Sting is a searcher. Using his own lyrics and music as a starting point, we will examine the journey that Sting is on, and how it is not much different from ours.
Jason Salazar, Assistant Professor of Music