Bethany Seminary students and friends visit Greece.

Thirteen Bethany Theological Seminary students and friends recently spent 12 days touring historical and religious sites in Greece, accompanied by Nadine Pence Frantz, professor of theological studies. Bethany students enrolled in the Master of Divinity (M. Div.) and Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.Th.) degree programs are required to take at least one course in cross-cultural studies which includes direct experience of and reflection on a cultural context other than their own. Cross-cultural courses enhance students' appreciation and respect for different cultural perspectives, increase their ability to critique their own society and culture, and allow them to explore possibilities for ministry in a different social and cultural context.

The group left the U.S. on December 27, 2005 and returned on January 8, 2006. The trip was Dr. Frantz's first to lead to Greece, and included Mycenaean, Classical Greek, Roman, early Christian, Byzantine and Greek Orthodox sites on the mainland of Greece and the Peloponese. Cities visited were Athens, Delphi, Olympia, the Lousios Gorge, Mystras, Geraki, Sparti, and Corinth. The students were required to do some reading and to meet for preparatory sessions before the study tour and to do a paper on a particular site or aspect of the trip once they returned. Three of the travelers were not taking it as a course for credit but were interested in learning more about Greece's history and culture. "The trip was a wonderful mixture of history, culture and people," said Dr. Frantz, "and helped us understand the culture and context of the church that developed within the Greek culture."

The trip was a positive experience for participating students that will be a continuing influence on their studies and faith journeys. Sue Ross of Fort Wayne, Ind., says that the trip allowed her to "see" some of the history that she has read about in books. "Standing in the place of Paul at Corinth brought his letters alive to me." Kendra Flory of McPherson, Kan., observes, "Physically connecting with the land of our religious and spiritual history has prompted in me many questions and feelings about my beliefs and own spiritual journey, and experiencing contemporary Greek culture and its secular and spiritual traditions has brought me to a special place of reflection about my own traditions." "The way I approach preaching God's word will be different since catching a glimpse of the world in which it was told," says Laura Price of Empire, Cal. "I will remember and cherish this experience forever," says Sandra Jenkins of Clarksville, Ohio.

For more information about cross-cultural opportunities or Bethany's educational programs, contact the Admissions Office at 800-287-8822 ext. 1832.

Source: 2/15/2006 Newsline
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