Academics and Faith House

~ by Samir Selmanovic

Ever since Professor Jon Paulien and other faculty from Loma Linda University initially inspired me to take this journey off the maps, I have met some trail-blazing academics who have added to the fire. Foremost among them is Professor Paul Knitter from Union Theological Seminary and Rabbi Or Rose from Hebrew College in Newton, MA. Their exceptional writings have been outdone by their personal, warm, constructive, and tireless spirits. We shared a teaching experience at Envision 2008 conference at Princeton University earlier this year, organized by another inspiring and spirited professor, Peter Heltzel from New York Theological Seminary. And now as more opportunities to teach together in New York City appear, we find ourselves excitedly talking at the same time about this expanse of the sacred that does not know boundaries made by humans. At times, I feel like a beginner on a very long journey, seeing no more than three feet forward, sitting down with people who have been scanning the horizon for many years.

So, I am glad to report that this week Faith House has received wholehearted endorsements from Professor Knitter and Rabbi Rose. You can find an article about some aspects of their work, as well as some information about Rabbi Justus Baird from Auburn Seminary, who is a member of our Advisory Council, in a recent article by Sojourners magazine entitled Many Mansions: Seminaries Teach for a Multifaith World.

"This is exactly the kind of inter-religious dialogue that we need today! For too long, “dialogue” has been primarily the business of academics and religious leaders. Without in any way neglecting sound knowledge and respect for tradition, Faith House seeks to bring the meeting of faiths (and non-faiths!) into our living rooms, workplaces, and local neighborhoods. It shows that people who share the same neighborhood and city can also share what keeps them alive spiritually. And in the process they become better neighbors and better citizens. My hope is that Faith House will become 'Faith Houses' all across our city and country."

Paul F. Knitter
Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions and Culture (short bio)

"Faith House Manhattan is a noble undertaking that seeks to bring together people from different faith traditions to heal our broken world. This innovative project serves as a model of creative and purposeful inter-religious collaboration."

Rabbi Or Rose
Director of Interfaith & Social Justice Initiatives at Hebrew College in Newton, MA
Rabbi Oris the co-editor of Righteous Indignation: A Jewish Call for Justice and God in All Moments: Spiritual & Practical Wisdom from the Hasidic Masters (both from Jewish Lights Publishing).