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Common Questions

Welcome to the Common Questions, an exciting initiative brought to you by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion. In this series, we bring together some of the most esteemed scholars and educators in the field to engage with a central, thought-provoking question. The goal is to challenge and inspire. By exploring these questions, we hope to create a dynamic platform for scholarly dialogue, illuminate complexities in education, and enhance our understanding of the transformative power of teaching and learning in these vital disciplines. Featuring a diverse range of perspectives, this effort is a means of expanding the borders of academic rigor with profound spiritual and philosophical inquiry.

This time, we asked…

“If school were in heaven, preparing souls for Earth, what would you teach, how and why?”

Gathered here are responses from:

Nicholas A. Elder, University of Dubuque

Emily Kahm, College of Saint Mary, Omaha

AHyun Lee, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary

Oluwatomisin Olayinka Oredein, Brite Divinity School

Yau Man Siew, Tyndale Seminary of Tyndale University

Richelle White, Kuyper College

Marvin Wickware, Lutheran School of Theology

If you are interested in sharing you response to this prompt or future Common Questions, please reach out to our blogs editor, Donald E. Quist at quistd@wabash.edu.

Donald Quist

About Donald Quist

Donald Quist is author of two essay collections, "Harbors," a Foreword INDIES Bronze Winner and International Book Awards Finalist, and "To Those Bounded." He has a linked story collection, "For Other Ghosts." His writing has appeared in "AGNI," "North American Review," "Michigan Quarterly Review," "Poets & Writers," "The Rumpus," and was Notable in "Best American Essays 2018." He is creator of the online nonfiction series PAST TEN. Donald has received fellowships from Sundress Academy for the Arts and Kimbilio Fiction. He is Assistant Professor of Creative Nonfiction at University of Missouri.

Nick Elder

About Nick Elder

Nick Elder (PhD, Marquette University) is Associate Professor of New Testament at the University of Dubuque. He has written two books: The Media Matrix of Early Jewish and Christian Literature (T&T Clark, 2019) and Gospel Media: Reading, Writing, and Circulating Jesus Traditions (Eerdmans, 2024). He is a father of four, a spouse of one, a home renovator, and a distance runner who very much enjoys mint chocolate chip custard.

Emily S. Kahm

About Emily S. Kahm

Emily Kahm, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. Her research interests include theological reflections on sexuality, disability, fatness, and everything else related to bodies.

AHyun Lee

About AHyun Lee

AHyun Lee is an Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care, and Psychotherapy at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. She is also the author of the book titled Selves In-Between: Offering Care and Forging Bonds with Difference. Additionally, AHyun is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church in the Wisconsin Conference and holds a license as a Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. Her research primarily revolves around topics such as Transnational Feminist Practical Theology, Self-Psychology, Anti-Racism and Decolonization, Narrative Therapy, Echopsychotherapy, Gender, Sexuality, and Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, as well as Intercultural Pastoral Care and Counseling.

Oluwatomisin Oredein

About Oluwatomisin Oredein

Oluwatomisin Oredein is an Assistant Professor of Black Religious Traditions and Constructive Theology and Ethics and the Director of Black Church Studies at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX. Her scholastic work engages creative articulations of African feminist, womanist, postcolonial, and black theologies with particular attention to women's voices within the African diaspora.

Yau Man Siew

About Yau Man Siew

YMS is Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Tyndale Seminary of Tyndale University. He has taught at Tyndale since 2001, and was preaching-teaching pastor (part-time) at a church in Toronto (2000-07). He was Visiting Scholar at the OISE/University of Toronto (2000-01) and Teachers College, Columbia University (2008-09). His life mission is to nurture educational leaders for discipleship and missional church. His articles have appeared in Christian Education Journal, Theological Education, Reflective Practice, Asia Journal of Theology and Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education. He is a member of The Society of Pastoral Theology and Religious Education Association.

Richelle White

About Richelle White

Lifelong learner and youth advocate, Rev. Richelle B. White, Ph.D. is a preacher, pastor, teacher, writer, consultant and life coach. She serves at Kuyper College as Professor of Youth Ministry. She is an associate minister at First Community African Methodist Episcal Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more than 30 years, Dr. White has served children, youth, and young adults as an elementary school teacher, after school program coordinator, teen counselor, summer camp director, mentor, curriculum, youth program director and pastor. Richelle’s life mission includes—“Equipping and empowering God’s people in discovering their true identity and purpose on their journey toward human flourishing”

Marvin Wickware

About Marvin Wickware

Marvin Wickware is Assistant Professor of Church and Society and Ethics at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. His research and teaching explore intersections of identity, emotions, politics, and theology. His book Healing the Broken Heart of Christian Antiracist Work is under contract with Fortress Press.

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