HOW TO HOPEFINDINTHEDARKNESS DIVERSITY | DIALOGUE | FAITH | FREEDOM A PUBLICATION OF THE ROBERT NUSBAUM CENTER AT VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY FALL 2022
Carey Nieuwhof, a Christian commentator, believes all is not lost. In his recent blog post Is America Burning Out? he offers several ways to find hope in the darkness surrounding us.
1 LEADING FOR CHANGE
Racial injustice, climate change, COVID-19’s relentlessness, overt anti-Semitism, deep partisan divides, reproductive rights, economic challenges, and global instability from Ukraine to Taiwan to the United States. Just reading that list likely raised your stress level. In living through it the last
Second, Nieuwhof calls us to pause in our actions and ask whether our chief goal is to “bind wounds or aggravate them.” He encourages us to try to heal, rather than harm, enemies. Neither approach indicates acceptance or approval of the other, but one approach is healthier not just for the situation overall, but for ourselves.
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Third, he recommends “offering a real alternative to hype and hate.” Being against something takes almost no work; anybody can criticize. However, “being for something will actually require some effort, some principles, some sacrifice.” As a Christian, he’s moved by the vision of “the alternative community of the first
HOW TO HOPEFIND
irst, rather than letting social media and news outlets feed anxiety and despair, he advises “drinking from a deeper well.” His own well is scripture, but—recognizing how it can be abused—he’s careful to say, “Don’t let your news feed filter your reading of scripture. Let your reading of scripture filter your news feed. The former fuels anxiety. The latter diffuses it.” As he says, “Sages have made it through crises in the past. If you keep yourself anchored, so will you.” Find an anchor beyond the flotsam and jetsam that bobs past you.
It’s hard to bring something positive, if you constantly fill your mind with negatives.
Why Religious Studies Matters: Parables and the Revelation of God
People on both sides of an issue can choose to stir up con troversy, fuel anger, and magnify division. “It’s hard to bring something positive,” he writes, “if you constantly fill your mind with negatives. It’s hard to bring peace if you only fill your mind with division.”
2PROGRAMMING
Why Children’s Literature Matters: A New Battleground in Public Schools
Why Theatre Matters: “Roe” and the Need for Art as Social Commentary
Ben Haller, Ph.D.
OCTOBER 13
IN DARKNESSTHE
THURSDAYS | 12-12:45 pm | BROCK COMMONS
Craig and Kelly
Kellie Holzer, Ph.D.
Sally Shedd, Ph.D.
Steven Emmanuel, Ph.D.
How you frame the world matters. Most people don’t buy music because of the number of notes in a song; quantity doesn’t matter there. Nobody comforts the grieving owner of a deceased dog by focusing on the financial worth of the pet. Within the university, the humanities disciplines bring students to reflect in unique and foundational ways about values, meaning, and life.
Do those steps sound abstract? In times that feel dark, are there active ways to become agents of hope?
We invite you to be part of the solution. Join us this fall as we collaborate to build a community that moves beyond hype and hate—into healing and hope.
Why Classics Matters: The Ancient World in Modern Virginia
It’s hard to bring peace if you only fill your mind with division.
Why the Humanities Matter Now More Than Ever
Terry Lindvall, Ph.D.
THE GOODE PLACE
On Thursdays from noon to 12:45 p.m., bring your lunch to the Brock Commons and join scholars from the VWU Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities. Each week one scholar shares reflections on an aspect of their own discipline that illuminates why the humanities matter now more than ever.
century that was characterized by love, equality, generosity, sacrifice, caring for the marginalized and least important.” He holds up that ideal as worth living for. People are looking not for hype and hate, but for healing and hope. Expressions of anger may get clicks on Facebook, but they don’t satisfy.
DECEMBER 1
SEPTEMBER 29
OCTOBER 27
Why Philosophy (Still) Matters: The Search for Wisdom in a Turbulent and Uncertain World
NOVEMBER 10
This semester at the Robert Nusbaum Center, we’ve sched uled programs that address some of the nation’s hot-button and divisive issues, from Christian nationalism, to racism, to reproductive rights. Yet our programs don’t just present the problems. They focus on ways to have more productive responses, foster dialogue, and find common ground.
ERIC MAZUR
The Impact of Christianity
THE AMERICAN FETISH Constitution-Love and the Nation’s Way of Being
DAY Thursday, September 22 | 7 8 PM
CONSTITUTION BLOCKER HALL
AUDITORIUM
The U.S. Constitution—the central document in the birth and continued existence of the Republic—is accorded none of the ritual privileges of the American flag: It is not saluted, pledged to, handled, or disposed of in any particular way. Nonetheless, it is treated as an American scripture, quoted and interpreted as the ultimate authority to settle our country’s most difficult and divisive disputes. It is, like the flag, part of a “national faith,” a religion-like set of symbols and behaviors that are at the heart of patriotism and civic engagement, as well as foundational in movements like Christian nationalism. Join Eric Mazur as he describes the role of the Constitution in American Civil Religion: its constituent elements, its expressions in contemporary America, and its benefits and dangers in a modern democratic society.
3 PROGRAMMING
Eric Mazur, Ph.D., is the Gloria and David Furman Professor of Judaic Studies and Nusbaum Center Fellow for Religion, Law, and Politics at Virginia Wesleyan University.
Paul D. Miller, Ph.D., is a professor in the practice of international affairs at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He is also a senior fellow with the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council and a research fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Miller previously served in the U.S. Army (including a tour in Afghanistan), as an analyst with the CIA, and as director for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the National Security Council staff.
Antipas L. Harris, Ph.D., D.Min., is the founder, president, and dean of the Urban Renewal Center in Norfolk, Virginia. He is the former founding president and dean of Jakes Divinity School in Dallas, Texas, as well as an ordained minister, theological educator, and community leader.
Is Christianity the White Man’s Religion?
PAUL MILLER
on American Culture
4AMERICAN CULTURE
What’s the relationship between religious faith and national identity in the United States? And what’s at stake if we misunderstand the relationship between Christianity and the American nation? An evangelical Christian and a political conservative, professor, veteran, and former White House staffer, Paul Miller unravels Christian nationalism’s historical importance, its key tenets, and its political, cultural, and spiritual implica tions. Miller highlights both the positive case for Chris tian nationalism and his reasons for rejecting it and seeing its devastating implications. He doesn’t battle straw men or engage in moral demonization but creates ground for more meaningful analysis and dialogue. Join him for an engaging evening.
ANTIPAS HARRIS
Thursday, November 17 | 7 8:15 PM BLOCKER HALL AUDITORIUM
In Is Christianity the White Man’s Religion?: How the Bible Is Good News for People of Color, Antipas Harris—a theolo gian, academic, and community activist—responds to a list of hot topics from young Americans who struggle with the perception that Christianity is detached from lived reality. In this talk, Harris addresses directly the challenges Christianity faces today and then points to how the Bible can and should be seen as good news for all people.
If Christianity is for everyone, why does the Bible seem to endorse slavery? Why do most popular images of Jesus feature a man with white skin and blue eyes? Is evangelical Christianity “good news” or a tool of white supremacy? As they look for a faith or worldview that makes sense to them, many young people—especially people of color—see tradi tional Christianity as inapplicable to their lives and detached from matters of justice, identity, and culture.
COOKSON LECTURE Thursday, November 3 | 7 8:15 PM BLOCKER HALL AUDITORIUM
The Religion of American Greatness: What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism
BLOCKER HALL AUDITORIUM
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Tuesday, September 27 | 12-1 pm
The Ripple Effects of Overturning Roe v. Wade JENNIFER SLIVKA
Sponsored in partnership with the Virgnia Beach Branch of the American Association of University Women, and the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Program at Virginia Wesleyan University.
ost Americans are exhausted by political divisions in the United States. Many have lost trust in the ability of leaders to solve society’s most pressing issues and they feel hopeless in finding a way forward beyond our deep divisions. During pandemic lockdowns, and while we were unable to welcome members of the community to campus, the Center collaborated with student leaders from College Republicans, Young Democrats, and Student Government to involve these students in a series of deliberative dia logues on topics that included A House Divided: How Do We Get the Political System We Want? and Elections: How Should We Encourage and Safeguard Voting? Although the discus sions were held in a gymnasium with everyone masked and
Kathleen Casey explains the history of abortion and its crimi nalization in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition, she briefly highlights other ways in which women have tried to control pregnancies. Finally, Casey discusses how attempts to regulate access to contraception and abortion have disproportionately impacted working-class women and women of color.
Kathleen Casey, Ph.D., is associate professor of history and coordinator of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at Virginia Wesleyan University.
Jennifer Slivka discusses the right to privacy established by the decision of Roe v. Wade and explores the wide-ranging repercus sions on the bodily autonomy of those who can become pregnant. From a feminist perspective, Slivka considers the ramifications on healthcare, as well as the social, emotional, and economic well-being of women, non-binary, and transgender men.
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A Brief History of Abortion in America AND The Ripple Effects of Overturning Roe v. Wade
socially distanced, and although we had to use micro phones to ensure that everyone could clearly hear what was being said, those dialogues became a highlight of the semester.Sincethen, we have continued to work with a core group of students to develop deliberation as a tool for dis cussing controversial topics across political and ideological divides. Last spring, students led all-campus dialogues and this semester they are planning and leading several delib erations. Democracy is a journey, not a destination; we are excited to be on a journey to engage and prepare Virginia Wesleyan students to help our country to keep moving in a positive direction.
VWU Students Discuss the Undiscussable
5 PROGRAMMING & PARTNERSHIPS
Jennifer Slivka, Ph.D,. is associate professor of English and affiliated faculty for Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at Virginia Wesleyan University.
Kathleen Casey, Ph.D. and Jennifer Slivka, Ph.D.
Sunday, September 25 | 3-5 pm
PEARCE SUITE, BATTEN STUDENT CENTER
JESSICA NORDELL
Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
The End
U
Jessica Nordell is an award-winning author, science writer, and speak er known for blending rigorous science with compassionate humanity. Her first book, The End of Bias: A Beginning, was named Best Book of the Year by World Economic Forum, Greater Good, AARP, and Inc and is currently being used by organizations from newsrooms and startups to universities, healthcare organizations, and faith communities to solve some of their biggest cultural challenges.
How We Eliminate Unconscious Bias and Create a More Just World
Sponsored in partnership with the Legislative Collaborative Table of Hampton Roads, an ad hoc collaboration of nonpartisan nonprofits that advocates for a joint Virginia legislative agenda of social justice issues. of Bias: A Beginning
Thursday, December 8 | 7:30 pm
SIMON FAMILY JCC 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach
Sponsored in partnership with the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewiah Book Festival
Unconscious bias: persistent, unintentional prejudiced behavior that clashes with our consciously held beliefs. It exists everywhere: in medicine, the workplace, education, policing, and beyond. But when it comes to uprooting our prejudices, we still have far to go.
6PROGRAMMING & PARTNERSHIPS
With nuance, compassion, and 10 years’ immersion in the topic, Jessica Nordell explains how minds, hearts, and behaviors can change–and provides us with the tools needed to spark that change–so that each of us can begin to remake ourselves and transform the world.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Social Justice U is an action-oriented informational program that prepares citizens to talk with their legislators. The event includes educational issue briefings on topics like women’s health care, voter rights, affordable housing, and climate justice.
Last Judgment Artist: Marx Reichlich
MICHAEL PANITZ AND CRAIG WANSINK
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Michael Panitz, Ph.D., has served as rabbi at Temple Israel since 1992. For years he has been an active leader in interfaith dialogue in Hampton Roads, even serving as one of the two founding leaders of the Nexus Interfaith Dialogue at the Robert Nusbaum Center. Since 1999 he also has served as an adjunct professor in religious studies and history at VWU.
JEWS AND CHRISTIANS Same ResponsesDifferentArt,
7 PROGRAMMING & PARTNERSHIPS Tuesday, October 25 | 12 1 pm THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART | NORFOLK Reservations Required
he same art sometimes provokes very different responses from Jews and Christians. Michael Panitz and Craig Wansink have taught together for over 20 years at VWU and their congregations—Temple Israel and Second Presbyterian Church—also have had an ongoing relationship for decades. Join them for a walkthrough tour of The Chrysler Museum of Art as they look together at works of art, each reflecting on them from the perspective of their own faith.
The tour size needs to be limited, so please contact the Robert Nusbaum Center to register at 757.455.3129 or nusbaumcenter@vwu.edu
Craig Wansink, Ph.D., is professor and chair of religious studies at Virginia Wesleyan University. He also serves as the Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center at VWU, and senior pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, Norfolk.
8RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
Judas, Mary, Thomas, James, and the “Other” Gospels in the Early Church
Thursday, October 27 | 7-8:30 pm SUSAN T. BEVERLY HALL | EDWARD D. HOFHEIMER THEATRE
Many stories about Jesus existed during the church’s first centuries. Although not included in the New Testament, the Gospel of Judas, Gospel of Mary, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, and Infancy Gospel of James highlight unique ways in which people understood Jesus and their own faith. What was Jesus like as a child? What was his mother like as a child? Why was a gospel attributed to Judas? Why do people even ask these questions? Come reflect on what these ancient gospels say and how they’ve shaped us.
Craig Wansink, Ph.D., is professor and chair of religious studies at Virginia Wesleyan University. He also serves as the Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center at VWU.
Joe Perlov is an American-born Israeli peace, pluralism, and equality activist who has served as an educator, community leader, and lecturer in Israel, Europe, and the U.S. He is the founder and former CEO of Re: IL Regarding Israel, an educational travel company.
Sponsored in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC as part of the 12th annual Israel Today series
Thursday, November 3 | 12 12:45 pm BROCK COMMONS
TheINCONFLICTCONTEXTChangingMap of Israel
JOE PERLOV
Kidnapping Jesus?
his experiential program uses a map of Israel and the Middle East— constructed together with the participants during the program—to focus on the history, competing narratives, and political, social, cultural, and security issues facing Israel and its neighbors. In an exciting and dynamic deliberation encouraging participant involvement, the pro gram looks at contemporary and historic challenges that have shaped the narratives of Israel for generations. It is suitable for all ages, and multi-generational dialogue is a focus.
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Old Dominion University Provost Dr. Austin Agho, Director of NASA Langley Research Center Dr. Clayton Turner, and leaders from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Virginia State Department of Education discuss the progress their institutions are making in STEM diversity and highlight initiatives underway to address challenges and further improve diversity and inclusion.
Please join us for an engaging discussion on why creating a more diverse STEM workforce is critical to our scientific, economic, and social progress as a nation. Moderated by a journalist from WHRO Public Media, the panel presentation is followed by audience Q&A and discussion.
The World Culture Festival (WCF) is a global initiative that celebrates the spirit that connects people across differences – in our communities and as one global family. The Hampton Roads World Culture Festival will be held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Saturday, March 25, 2023. In anticipation of that event, two dialogues this fall highlight how diversity and inclusion strengthens our region.
Sponsored in partnership with the Center for Faculty Development and the Office of Faculty Diversity and Retention at Old Dominion University. CENTER | OLD
DOMINION UNIVERSITY
PROGRAMMING & PARTNERSHIPS
The Hague School is an independent secondary school that combines the Harkness conference method of instruction with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills in the classroom.
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WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL
PAGE 9 - FROM THE STAFF] Please use both pictures of Craig and Kelly (serious and playful)9
Rising Tides, Rising Tensions is a mobile art installation created by local artist Renee Calway (with support from the Nusbaum Center’s Kelly Jackson) that confronts the role that race and climate change have played and contin ue to play in human migration throughout the Hampton Roads region. Building from this exhibit, students at The Hague School discuss their research specifically on the his tory of education in the region, present their artistic inter pretations, and lead discussion on the future of education.
THE HAGUE SCHOOL | NORFOLK
The Power of Art as Social Commentary Exploring Education in Hampton Roads
Saturday, November 5 | 4 5 pm
Power of Diversity and Inclusion in STEM Progress, Challenges, and Next Steps
or centuries, innovations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) have had positive impacts on human lives, well-being, and the economy. STEM professionals fuel our nation’s economic growth and drive innovation. While studies by the National Academy of Science show that diverse STEM teams outper form homogenous teams, increasing diversity in STEM continues to be a challenge.
Thursday, November 17 | 5-7 pm WEBB
Brock Commons
Craig Wansink, Ph.D. Joan P. and Macon F. Brock Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, and Professor and Chair in the Department of Religious Studies
Why Religious Studies Matters Parables and the Revelation of God Terry Lindvall, Ph.D. Thursday, 12–12:45 PM
NOVEMBER
17 Is Christianity the White Man’s AntipasReligion?Harris, Ph.D. Thursday, 7–8:15 PM
1 THE GOODE PLACE
Why Children’s Literature Matters A New Battleground in Public Schools Kellie Holzer, Ph.D. Thursday, 12–12:45 PM
8 The End of Bias: A Beginning How We Eliminate Unconscious Bias and Create a More Just World Jessica Nordell Thursday, 7:30 PM Simon Family JCC
NusbaumCenter@vwu.eduvwu.edu/nusbaumcenter757.455.3129
Brock Commons
OCTOBER
Blocker Hall Auditorium
The American Fetish Constitution-Love and the Nation’s Way of Being Eric Mazur, Ph.D. Thursday, 7–8 PM
3 Kidnapping Jesus? Judas, Mary, Thomas, James, and the “Other” Gospels in the Early Church Craig Wansink, Ph.D. Thursday, 12–12:45 PM
29 THE GOODE PLACE
The Ancient World in Modern Virginia Ben Haller, Ph.D. Thursday, 12–12:45 PM
27 Conflict in Context: The Changing Map of Israel and the Middle East Joe Perlov
Blocker Hall Auditorium
Kelly Jackson Associate Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center
Blocker Hall Auditorium
The Religion of American Greatness What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism Paul D. Miller, Ph.D. Thursday, 7–8:15 PM
COOKSON LECTURE
Brock Commons
Exploring Education in Hampton Roads Saturday, 4-5 PM
CNUSBAUMROBERTCNUSBAUMROBERTENTERENTER VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY D IVERS ITY | DIALOGUE | F AITH | FREEDOM
DIVERSITY | DIALOGUE | FAITH | FREEDOM is published twice a year by the ROBERT NUSBAUM CENTER at Virginia Wesleyan University
EDITOR Craig Wansink, Ph.D. MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Jackson ART DIRECTOR Christine Hall
Brock Commons
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
27 THE GOODE PLACE
25 Jews and Christians Same Art, Different Responses Michael Panitz, Ph.D. and Craig Wansink, Ph.D. Tuesday, 12–1 PM
3
The Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Reservations Required
5 The Power of Art as Social Commentary
Understanding
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY D IVERS ITY | DIALOGUE | F AITH | FREEDOM ROBERT
CALENDAR PAGE 10
Thursday, 7–8:30 PM
27 A Brief History of Abortion in America AND The Ripple Effects of Overturning Roe v. KathleenWadeCasey, Ph.D. and Jennifer Slivka, Ph.D. Tuesday, 12–1 PM
The Hague School, Norfolk
Why Theatre Matters: “Roe” and the Need for Art as Social Commentary Sally Shedd, Ph.D. Thursday, 12–12:45 PM
Susan T. Beverly Hall, Edward D. Hofheimer Theatre NUSBAUM CENTER
Why Classics Matters
The Search for Wisdom in a Turbulent and Uncertain World Steven Emmanuel, Ph.D. Thursday, 12–12:45 PM
Brock Commons
22 CONSTITUTION DAY
Pearce Suite, Batten Student Center
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Brock Commons
25 Social Justice U Sunday, 3 5 PM
17 Power of Diversity and Inclusion in STEM Progress, Challenges, and Next Steps Thursday, 5–7 PM
Why Philosophy (Still) Matters
Blocker Hall Auditorium
WEBB Center, Old Dominion University
10 THE GOODE PLACE
SEPTEMBER
ROBERT NUSBAUM CENTER
13 THE GOODE PLACE
DECEMBER
The pandemic slowed us down since our last study trip to Israel in 2020, but the Robert Nusbaum Center is excted to lead students on another trip in January 2023, entitled Waging Peace.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Norfolk, VA Permit 27Wesleyan Drive Beach, VA 23455
5817
Virginia