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Contents:

00:00	Welcome by Dr. Philip D. W. Krey
09:12	Introduction of Speaker by Dr. Timothy Wengert
13:59	Address by Dr. Stephen Ray

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On Tuesday, September 5, 2006, Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray presented his lecture, "Contending for the Faith: The African-American Theological Tradition and the Ghosts of Modernity," at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), before an audience of students, faculty, and guests. The lecture was held in Benbow Hall in the seminary's Brossman Center.

Dr. Ray's lecture presented the question, "What is it about the American practice of Christianity," that continues to make the cross, "the ultimate symbol of God's love," available to hate groups?

He suggested that "certain ideas in modernity allow this," in particular, two "ghosts."

1. The inflection of "Western" in Western Christianity
2. That certain social, cultural, and religious characteristics adhere to communities of faith

Dr. Ray expressed, "The goal of witnessing the faith is unreachable when the only thing we see is ourselves." He said that this creates nothing more than "a house of mirrors," from which the only escape is to commit to:

1. A non-racialized practice of the Christian faith
2. A vibrancy of faith through indigenization

The lecture wrapped up LTSP's Opening Day, a day of activities celebrating the official start of the 143rd academic year. The evening began with LTSP President Rev. Dr. Philip Krey, Ministerium of New York Professor of Early Church History, introducing the seminary's faculty. The Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Wengert, Ministerium of Pennsylvania Professor of Church History, then introduced Dr. Ray, praising his ability to combine teachability with clarity.

Dr. Ray is Associate Professor of African-American Studies at LTSP and Director of the Urban Theological Institute (UTI). He joined the LTSP faculty after serving six years as Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He has taught courses at Yale Divinity School and Hartford Seminary. Dr. Ray is the author of several published works, including "A Struggle from the Start: The Black Community of Hartford, 1639-1960," and "Do No Harm: Social Sin and Christian Responsibility."

Dr. Ray is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ.