More on Fuller Theological Seminary

I commend you for publishing the extensive article on Fuller Theological Seminary, and in doing so revealing Pasadena’s best-kept secret (“Jesus With a Genius Grant,” by Alan Rifkin, Nov. 23). As a former student and now a member of the faculty for close to three decades, I found the piece fascinating and futuristic, while tending more toward a clever parody than an authentic profile. The genius of Fuller is not so much its ability to balance exotic philosophy, ideological ethics and artsy dialogue with contemporary culture. Rather, its genius is the biblical and theological studies at the heart of the curriculum. The diversity at Fuller is not found in its intellectual forums but in the manifold ministries of Christ, which students from more than 40 countries and as many denominations learn to undertake as pastors, teachers, counselors and mission specialists.

Ray S. Anderson

Senior Professor of Theology and Ministry

Fuller Theological Seminary

Pasadena

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Religion and science are antithetical; opposite, that is, as black and white. Religion is inseparable from dogma. Without a dogma, invariably attributed to a supernatural source or sources, there is no religion. Science excludes dogma or any reference to supernatural sources. It cannot otherwise be science.

Religion cannot offer proof for its assertions. It rests on its claims of “divine origin” and posits “eternal truths.” Science offers hypotheses, which, when proved, are elevated to theories--never more.

Fuller professor Nancey Murphy and her colleagues are striving to reconcile the irreconcilable. In this Sisyphean effort they follow those who have similarly striven and are accompanied by others who also persist in this tedious, endless labor. Their efforts are perhaps extreme, relentless manifestations of the desire, more or less effective in all humans, to conform reality to imagination.

Wolf Breiman

Ventura

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I eventually converted to Unitarian Universalism because of my disaffection toward the evangelical Christian tradition in which I was raised. Put simply, I was sick and tired of the narrow-mindedness and methods of debate (essentially, if you disagree with us, you’re going to hell) that dominate the tradition. How refreshing and hopeful to find that there are evangelicals who are willing to see both ends of an issue, and that reason and faith can indeed mix.

Ariel Vitali

Torrance

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Although I chose not to pursue a career in theology, I still monitor the growth and outreach of Fuller seminary. The brief reference to my father, Edward John Carnell, was disheartening. Indeed, the article mentioned his 1955 speech as the school’s second president as “remarkable,” but it proceeded to portray him as thin-skinned and unable to deal with criticism, thus succumbing to depression and overdosing on sleeping pills (which I can assure everyone was accidental).

My father resigned for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that he detested fund-raising and the promotional quagmire that came with his position. Certainly he was sensitive to the “series of snubs,” but they did not deter him from his vision or erode his ideals. His main passion was teaching and constructive interaction with Fuller’s students. During his tenure, Fuller became an accredited institution and proceeded toward a more inclusive spirit.

John Carnell

Santa Maria