Category: Dean’s Commentary

Appreciating the Bow of Burning Gold

It is a considerable honor for Virginia Theological Seminary to host a sculpture by Murray Dewart, an artist of international reputation whose work appears in museums and public collections around the world. Dewart’s career includes major public commissions in China, Israel, and across the United States, along with more than two hundred group exhibitions and […]

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Fabulous Talk by Ragan Sutterfield

It was a joy to welcome the Rev. Ragan Sutterfield back to Virginia Theological Seminary. Ragan is an extraordinary priest and a wonderful role model for our students. A graduate of VTS in 2015, he was deeply involved with Cultivate VTS during his time here, and that early passion for environmental theology has continued to […]

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A sculpture marking history

Today a Murray Dewart sculpture is being added to the campus. This gift from a world renowned specialist in sculpture is in honor of the brave witness of Bishop Mariann Budde. You will recall that she preached at the service of prayer for the nation. She gently invited the President to consider the biblical obligation […]

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A game for everyone to play

As I age, one of my quiet anxieties is the prospect of becoming the sort of elderly person who finds new technology baffling and impenetrable. We all know the stereotype: someone in their seventies unable to locate Netflix on a smart TV or download a simple file from the internet. I have no desire to […]

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Amazing alums

I have just returned from Birmingham Alabama. I flew down on Saturday, preached, talked about VTS pilgrimages (well listened to Barney Hawkins talk about pilgrimages), and had an alumni reunion and returned last night. Every time I make these trips I marvel. Virginia Theological Seminary does extraordinary work. Those of us teaching on the holy […]

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Entering the concluding year at VTS

For complex reasons, I find myself really feeling for our seniors. This is the peculiar ache of a final year: walking through ordinary days with the quiet knowledge that each one is, in fact, a last. The last Advent Affair — the great party now folded into memory. The last beginning of a Spring semester, […]

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Three Faculty Searches

On Tuesday, the faculty met and made the decision to begin three faculty searches: one in Theology, one in New Testament, and one in History. This is an exciting moment for the Faculty. New scholars will soon be joining the VTS community. We are very conscious that these are key areas for a VTS education. […]

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More snow yet fabulous sermon

Yesterday morning as I peered out of the kitchen window, I felt exhausted. “More snow, Lord”, I uttered, “really?” I was conscious that the Facilities team were already working hard to create space so the community could get to class, chapel, and breakfast (lunch came later). Reluctantly, I made my way to the Chapel for […]

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Slowly Bohlen is getting repaired

Toward the end of last week, I checked in on the progress in Bohlen. It is hard work. The water damage was considerable. Ceiling tiles were everywhere. Boxes of files were extensively damaged. Various employees had to be relocated – some to Alumni Hall, others elsewhere in Aspinwall Hall and on other floors in Bohlen. […]

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