National religious leader brings message of hope
As churches struggle to find their mission in a post-modern world, it’s often easy for people of faith to languish in fear and uncertainty, some say. But even in the midst of despair, there are those who find hope within the context of history.
This week, one of the country’s premier authorities on religion in America will be in Spokane to talk about faith, mission and the revitalization of churches. Martin E. Marty – celebrated author of more than 50 books and one of the leading interpreters of religion and culture – will be the featured speaker at the annual assembly of the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
He will join at least 1,000 Lutherans from throughout the region as they discuss the war in Iraq, the economy, environmental threats, rural decline and other issues facing the local churches today, according to the Rev. Martin Wells, bishop of the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod.
“These are really discouraging days, yet (Marty) remains upbeat and positive and quite hopeful,” said Wells. “He tells us stories from the past to encourage us and to remind us that we’ve been through this before and we’ve survived.”
Marty also will present a lecture at Whitworth University titled, “A Global Local Faith, a Local Global Faith: Christian Possibilities Today.”
Marty, 83, grew up in Nebraska and was ordained a Lutheran pastor in 1952. He served parishes in the suburbs of Chicago for about a decade before joining the University of Chicago faculty in 1963. When he retired in 1998, the Divinity School renamed its Institute for the Advanced Study of Religion the “Martin Marty Center.”
A prolific writer, Marty won the National Book Award for “Righteous Empire: The Protestant Experience in America” in 1972. He continues to write a column for Christian Century magazine and maintains a blog on issues of faith for Newsweek and washingtonpost.com.
Martin currently serves as the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, where he taught for 35 years.
In addition to his prolific writings, Martin has received numerous honors, including the National Humanities Medal, the Medal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Distinguished Service Medal of the Association of Theological Schools, the Order of Lincoln Medallion and 72 honorary doctorates.
“Martin Marty is one of the leading historians of religion in America,” said Dale Soden, Whitworth professor of history and director of the Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith and Learning, in a press release. “His observations and insights have not only helped inform several generations of scholars, but have also shaped the way Christians across the country understand religion.”
Wells, who had met Marty on several occasions, called him out of the blue about a year ago to invite him to speak at the assembly in Spokane. When the bishop told him about the focus of the gathering – the renewal of the church through mission – Marty heartily agreed to come.
During his stay in Spokane, Marty will spend time with Lutherans representing more than 100 ELCA congregations in Eastern Washington, Idaho and as far as Thayne, Wyo. At this year’s assembly, hundreds are expected to take part in workshops and presentations that will be held at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park. Many more are expected at various concerts and a worship extravaganza on Sunday.
Churches are grappling with a number of issues, especially fear in the culture, explained Wells. That’s why it’s vital for people to hear Marty’s perspective, he said.
“He’s a buoyant spirit,” said Wells. “He’s a faith-filled man who can show us the big picture.”