The 2013-14 Wittenberg Series continues with the Kenneth H. Sauer Luther Symposium, featuring a presentation by Stephen Haynes, theologian and professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in Bayley Auditorium in the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center.
Haynes will make a presentation titled “Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Protestant Saint for a Conflicted World,” which will explore the meaning of Bonhoeffer’s opposition to the Nazis and what it might mean for our time. The topic touches on Haynes’ research on Jewish-Christian relations and the Holocaust.
Since 1989, Haynes has taught students religion, with his courses focusing on the Holocaust, religion and racism, and religion and literature. He has also been a member of the regional advisory board for Facing History and Ourselves, as well as the Church Relations Committee of the US Holocaust Memorial Council.
Haynes earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree from Florida State University, a master’s of divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Religion and Literature from Emory University.
An award-winning educator, Haynes has written or edited 11 books, including three about Bonhoeffer, most notably The Bonhoeffer Phenomenon: Portraits of a Protestant Saint, written in 2004. His first book, Prospects for Post-Holocaust Theology: ‘Israel’ in the Theologies of Karl Barth, Jurgen Moltmann, and Paul van Buren, was written in 1991, and his most recent publication is The Last Segregated Hour: The Memphis Kneel-Ins and the Campaign for Southern Church Desegregation, written in 2012.
The Kenneth H. Sauer Symposium is made possible by an endowment established in honor The Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Sauer, Wittenberg class of 1952, at the time of his retirement as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Southern Ohio Synod in 1996.
In its 31st year, the Wittenberg Series continues to bring distinguished lecturers and performing artists of national and international prominence to the Wittenberg campus and Springfield community. To make special arrangements, reserve a Series poster, or become a friend of the Wittenberg Series, call 937-206-3539 or send an email to jfox@wittenberg.edu.