(formerly the Visiting Theologian Program)
“Faith seeks understanding.” So said Anselm, Saint, Archbishop, and Theologian. The Faith Dialogues at Saint Mark program seeks to promote understanding among the faithful, not only within the parish of Saint Mark, but also within the wider church as a gift to the entire Salem community.
Our last scholar was (pre-Covid):
Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad, November 16–18th, 2018
Since the early 1970’s, Saint Mark has welcomed nearly forty distinguished theologians into the Congregation’s life of worship, learning, and service. Teachers of church history, ethics, bible, culture, art, theology, liturgy and sacramental life have enriched our community’s deliberation on what it means to believe in the God of Israel and live accordingly. Moreover, our learned guests have engaged members of the local ecumenical community, including students at Willamette University, Western Oregon University, and Mount Angel seminary.
By means of visiting teachers, Saint Mark hopes to encourage lively reflection and faithful action within the Congregation and all faith communities, inviting broad participation in the program for the sake of mutual appreciation, growth in common understanding, and service.
“For with you is the well of life, and in your light we see light.” Psalm 36
Past Visiting Scholars
- 2017 Dr. Samuel Torvend
- 2016 Helmuth Rilling
- 2015 Dr. Susan Pitchford
- 2014 David & Susan Palo Cherwien
- 2013 Dr. Barbara Rossing
- 2012 Dr. Mark Allan Powell
- 2011 Lisa Dahill
- 2010 Dr. Stephen Bouman
- 2009 Martin Marty
- 2009 Bruce Bengtson, Organist and Clinician
- 2009 Phyllis Anderson, President of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
- 2008 Bishop Gomez
- 2007 Bishop David Brauer-Rieke
- 2006 Paul Wadell & Dr. David Jensen
- 2005 Kelly A. Fryer
- 2005 Mark Brocker
- 2004 Dr. Eldon Olson
- 2004 Ted Peters
- 2003 The Reverend Dr. Gavin Ashenden
- 2002 Rev. Dr. H. George Anderson (former Bishop over all of ELCA)
- 2001 Rev. Dr. Herbert Anderson
- 2000 Paul Wee
- 1999 Gordon Lathrop and Ernest Skublics
- 1998 James Nestigen
- 1997 Richard Caemmerer
- 1995 Carl Braaten
- 1994 George Forell
- 1993 Charles Wilson
- 1992 Robert Smith
- 1991 David Belgum
- 1989 Robert Goeser
- 1988 Robert Marshall
- 1987 Thomas Blevins
- 1986 Robley Whitson
- 1985 Robley Whitson
- 1984 John Simmons
- 1983 Joseph Sittler
- 1982 Harry Mumm
- 1981 Raymond Olson
- 1980 Paul Noren
- 1979 Henry Horn and Charles M. Cooper
- 1978 Joseph Sittler
- 1976 A.G. Fjellman
- 1974 Kenneth Christopherson, Theodore Mattson, Donald Deffner