In his column last Tuesday (“Emory’s Conflicting Missions,” 3.24.09), Ryan Seals invited his readers into dialogue regarding the continued relevance of Emory’s Candler School of Theology. Candler seeks out every opportunity to engage in dialogue amongst the wider Emory community and we view Seals’ column as one such occasion. We extend our thanks to him for inviting us to share our mission, methodology and role in the Emory community through this medium.

In response to Seals’ suggestion that the missions of the Theology School and the wider University are in conflict, we assert the converse. Candler’s mission is a vital piece to the fulfillment of the mission of Emory University. The mission of the University centers around applying “knowledge to the service of humanity,” a goal in which the Candler School of Theology fully and uniquely participates.

Candler applies its efforts “in the service of humanity” through the Christian Church as one means of fulfilling the University’s mission. Such a particular form of service may seem irrelevant, inappropriate or even “medieval” to Seals, but to the millions of people deeply immersed in Christian communities around the world (many of whom reside within the walls of Emory University), such service remains vital. Candler strives to provide those communities with educated, professional leaders including theologians, pastors, chaplains, scholars, preachers, advocates and activists.

Seals asserts the importance of each academic division’s ability to question, reevaluate and critically examine its assumptions and beliefs. We agree. Because we are a school grounded in the Christian faith and the Wesleyan tradition, we critically engage our institutions and sacred texts in seeking to address the human condition and spirit. This includes being willing to take seriously our shortcomings, critique our traditions and identify hurtful practices that need to be left behind.

Seals argues that the mission of Candler prevents fruitful and relevant contribution to the University because of its predication “on the dogmatic acceptance of a revealed truth.” However, no one at Candler is expected to accept any particular version of revealed truth. Our community is not monolithic. Our faculty, staff and student body include a wide range of views within the Christian tradition, as well as agnostics, atheists, Baha’is, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Universalists and others. We bring our distinct religious voices together in joining with the wider University as an “inquiry-driven, ethically engaged and diverse community whose members work collaboratively for positive transformation in the world.”

Seals further contends that Candler stands alone among the University’s divisions as an evangelizing, dogmatic school that is not accountable to critical reflection. In reality, Candler lives out its mission and that of the wider University in much the same way as the other divisions. We all engage our world through a particular lens. For some graduate divisions, this lens is medical; for others, legal; for the School of Theology, the lens is theological. This lens does not serve as a blinder that prevents us from engaging the world in deep and multivalent ways. Rather, it keeps us mindful of the need to serve the human spirit.

Candler also stands united with Emory in its commitment to interdisciplinary education. The presence of each division invites the opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue, relationships and critique such that each single division is made better by the presence of the other eight. Joint degree programs, cross registration and dialogues such as this one allow religious leaders from Candler to enrich their theological educations with other fields of knowledge. Likewise, professionals trained throughout Emory’s graduate programs have the opportunity to supplement their educations with the theological dimensions provided by Candler. This partnership deepens the possibilities for greater service to humanity.

Again, we offer thanks to Seals for initiating this positive and critical dialogue. We acknowledge that at times we have been isolated from the larger Emory community and accept ongoing questions of our relevance to the academy. In seeking to move forward, we make a commitment as students to continue to pursue dialogue and mutual understanding across disciplinary lines. We see this as a mutual responsibility.

We feel strongly that as those outside of theological disciplines encounter us in subsequent and more meaningful ways, a deeper understanding of Candler and its contributions to the University will more clearly emerge. We invite the members of the University to meet us in this effort by utilizing the resources provided at Candler: cross register in our courses, attend our public lectures, worship with us in Cannon Chapel. We hope for a future of greater cooperation and dialogue amongst the professional schools and the college.

James Clark, Candler 2009
Stacy Harwell, Candler 2010
Kim Jackson, Candler 2009
E. Michelle Ledder, Candler 2009
Crystal J. Anderson, Candler 2011
Charles D. Bush, Candler 2010
Lisa Carboni, Candler 2011
Kyu Sung Kim, Candler 2009
Rachel Randall, Candler 2010
Eve Williams, Candler 2010
David W. Key, Sr., Director of Baptist Studies, Candler
Merchuria Chase Williams, Candler 2010
Tim Black, Candler 2010
Brian Tillman, Candler 2011
Kerr Ramsey, Candler 2010
Emily Smith, Candler 2009
Mike Wadley, Candler 2010
Kimberly Knight, Candler 2009
Allie Rosner, Candler 2009
Susan Landskroener, Candler 2011
Josh Amerson, Candler 2010
Jennifer Hansen, Candler 2010
Amanda McMurtrey, Candler 2010
Dan Dixon, Candler 2010
Bethany Johnson, Candler 2010
Steven Doss, Candler 2010
Norman Horofker, Candler 2010
Belinda Rives, Candler 2010
Caitlin Foley Phillips, Candler 2010
Diane Curtis, Candler 2010
Diane Kenaston, Candler 2011
Katie Klosterman, Candler 2011
Parker McBryde, Candler 2010
Janet McCoy, Candler 2009
Margaret Harouny, Candler 2010
Michael Slack, Candler 2011
Jonathan Chapman, Candler 2010
Erik Mays, Candler, 2009
Shea Tuttle, Candler 2009
Ashley Tackett, Candler 2010
Elizabeth W. Corrie, 1996T; 2002 PhD, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Youth Education and Peacebuilding
Josey Snyder, Candler 2009
Kyle Tau, Candler 2009, Admissions Coordinator, Rollins School of Public Health
Julie Gordon, Candler 2001
Kim Brooks, Candler 2010
Sarah Keck, Candler 2010
Julie Songer, Candler 2009
Ingrid C.A. Rasmussen, Candler 2010
Paige Swaim, Candler 2010
Jeff Cook, Candler 2010
Michael A. Hunt, Candler 2009
Devin White, Candler 2010
Sara Corum, Candler 2010
Kim Sorrells, Candler 2011
Buddy Crawford, Candler 2009
Stephanie Dunn, Candler 2009
Leslie Lyons Watkins, Candler 2010
David Eatman, Candler 2009
Luke Ashley, Candler 2009
Jenny McBride, Postdoctoral Fellow in Religious Practices and Practical Theology
Sabrina Mallett, Candler 2010
Jennifer Sauerbrun, Candler 2011
Andrew Johnson, Candler 2011
Sarah Werner, Candler 2010
Paula Scotman, Candler 2010
Christina S. Ruehl, Candler 2010
Kenneth Jones, Candler 2010
Alison Amyx, Candler 2010
Elizabeth Bounds, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics
Mary A. Sweet, Candler 2010
Jennifer Whitson, Candler 2009
Margaret Edmonson, Candler 2009
Melissa Fain, Candler 2009
Amanda Mountain, Candler 2009
Angela S. Wiggins, Candler 2009
Quentin L. Samuels, Candler 2011
Olivia Poole, Candler 2009
Katrina Moore, Candler 2011
Julia M. Buckner, Candler 2009
Leslie Houseworth, Candler 2010
Dong Seong Ko, Candler 2009
Todd Mccullough, Candler 2009
Whitney E. Walton, Candler 2010
Alison Zajicek, Candler 2010
Haden Conrad, Candler 2009
Julie Gordon, Candler 2011
Courtney Lambert, Candler 2010
Matt Lawing, Candler 2009
John Davenport, Candler 2010
Katherine Malloy, Candler 2010
Liz Schellingerhoudt, Candler 2010
Khalif A. Smith, Candler 2011
Coleman Smith, Candler 2010
Cecelia Garrison, Candler 2011
Sarah Miller, Candler 2010
Carolyn Stephens, Candler 2010
Edward Miller, Candler 2010
Caitlin Donohue, Candler 2009
Diana R. Williams, Candler 2011
Elizabeth M. Salyers, Candler 2009
La Trina P. Jackson, Candler 2009
Karl Kroger, Candler 2010
Katie Gilbert, Candler 2009
Jon Gunnemann, Professor of Social Ethics, Emeritus
Paul Youngblood, Candler 2010
Deborah Van Lande, Candler Admissions Assistant
Karla Y. Vogel, Esq., Candler 2009
Ann Lister, Candler 2010
Valerie Loner, Candler 2010
James McSavaney, Candler 2011
Wil Redmond, Candler 2011
Kent Burel, Candler 2011
Taylor Driskill, Candler 2010
Diane Curtis, Candler 2009
Disney Weaver, Candler 2009
Junghee Lee, Candler 2011
Gerhard Venter, Candler 2009
Dr. M. Thomas Thangaraj, Emeritus Professor of World Christianity
Cheryl Wilcox, Candler 2009