An author and ordained Lutheran minister is this year’s speaker at OCU’s Wilson Lecture Series.
Nadia Bolz-Weber is from Colorado and is the founding pastor of the House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver. She’s an ordained Lutheran minister, but she is known for her unorthodox and offbeat ministry.
Bolz-Weber has written four books, with her most recent work, Accidental Saints: Finding God In All The Wrong People, now a New York Times bestseller.
Devaunjue Williams, religion sophomore and pastor at Village United Methodist Church, said he is thrilled Bolz-Weber is coming to OCU.
Bolz-Weber is known for all-inclusively accepting everyone into her faith. Whether they have tattoos, have gone to jail or are people of different races or orientations, Bolz-Weber accepts them into the body of Christ, Williams said.
“Some would say she is a little radical in her beliefs, but I think she really embodies God’s love, showing that God has love for all people and creations, no matter who they are or where they come from,” Williams said.
Williams said he thinks OCU students need to hear Bolz-Weber’s teachings.
“Once upon a time it was appropriate to scare people into believing in God, but now we live in a postmodern world, meaning some of the beliefs we hold are going to sound radical when it’s just a new way of bringing people to Christ,” he said.
It’s important for everyone to know that, no matter what background they come from, they are welcome, Williams said.
“That’s what the Gospel is about. It was about preaching to everyone, including widows, orphans, prostitutes. Jesus truly loved everyone, and everyone was invited to the table,” Williams said. “Once we embody that, we are truly being Christians, and we are truly being Christ-like. Nadia’s beliefs incorporate all of that.”
Elizabeth Horton-Ware, director of religious life, said she is excited about Bolz-Weber coming. She is currently reading a book by Bolz-Weber, which has been refreshing to read, she said.
The speaking event will likely draw an audience from the Oklahoma City community, Horton-Ware said.
“For most of the lectures, we have people come from beyond the campus and attend. I’ve invited several of my alumni friends to come hear her as well,” she said.
KC Curry, religion sophomore, said Bolz-Weber’s views should spark an interest with OCU students.
“I really like how Nadia is ordained in the Lutheran church because when you look at her, you don’t think of her as a pastor,” Curry said. “You think she’s a biker chick. She has a sleeve of tattoos, is very social justice oriented, and she’s very open to the LGBTQ community.”
Bolz-Weber is inspiring, Curry said. She said she particularly loves that Bolz-Weber is so different and open, yet still wants to preach the word of God. Curry said she can’t wait to attend her lectures.
Leslie Long, professor of religious education, said the Wilson Lecture Series has been sponsored by the Wilson family and the Wimberly School of Religion every year. Theologian Matthew Fox will be the 2018 Wilson Lecture Series speaker.
“We’ve had a variety of speakers come from different backgrounds, and this year we’re excited to have Nadia,” Long said.
Long said she thinks OCU will respond to Bolz-Weber well.
“She’s very traditional in terms of liturgy and the tradition of the church, and she still upholds the Lutheran traditions, but she also understands that her audience is everyone,” Long said. “She relates to some people better, but she speaks the truth and speaks it in her own way. To me, that’s very refreshing.”
Bolz-Weber will speak at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel on the OCU campus. The lectures are free and open to the public.
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