Love, Loneliness, and Isolation

FEB 08: Biblical Models of Marriage

Dr. Beatrice Lawrence

It is not uncommon to hear public figures make reference to the "biblical model of marriage."  This is usually in the context of arguments about who may or may not marry. But what do people know about the actual biblical texts on marriage?  In this forum, we will explore what the Hebrew Bible describes under the heading of "marriage," what is left out, and what would be shocking for contemporary Americans.

Beatrice Lawrence is Associate Professor and Chair at Seattle University, where she teaches Hebrew Bible and Jewish studies in the department of Theology and Religious Studies.  She has two awesome daughters and a high-maintenance German Shepherd.  She loves William Shatner and thinks the greatest movie he ever made was “Kingdom of the Spiders.”

FEB 15: Loneliness and Isolation

Dr. Mark Cohan

In this forum, Dr. Cohan will discuss some of the current social, technological, and interpersonal factors that contribute to rising levels of isolation, which often results in loneliness.
By identifying the factors outside of our personal control, we can better appreciate what is
in our control and how we can use that knowledge to combat isolation in our lives and the lives of others.

Mark Cohan is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Seattle University. He specializes in social psychology, gender and sexuality, and the sociology of food. His work on food justice  has included a study of nutrition education at food banks and support for Black farmers and  farming education for Black youth.

FEB. 22: Song of Songs for Single People

Pastor Dan Peterson

The Song of Songs says some racy things about love within and outside of marriage.
Join Pastor Dan to discuss material the editors of our lectionary (the collection of Bible readings from which we read every Sunday) excluded from it.