05/08/2015

Dr. Wally Taylor to do a 'Thank You' Tour between July 1 and December 31

The Board of Directors of Trinity Lutheran Seminary granted Dr. Wally Taylor, Jr. a six-month sabbatical that begins on July 1 and ends December 31, 2015. During his sabbatical, Dr. Taylor is making himself available for speaking engagements at conferences, congregations and rostered leaders' groups anywhere in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but especially in Region 6. He will primarily be focusing on teaching opportunities, but is also open to a limited number of preaching opportunities.

While Dr. Taylor will not ask for an honorarium for his time, he does ask that sponsoring agencies or institutions cover his housing and meals. Trinity Lutheran Seminary will cover the cost of his transportation costs.

The following are potential presentation topics:

The Apostle Paul

Paul as a person (biography, world in which he lived)
Paul’s message
Paul as leader: “How to Build the Church”
Romans
1 Corinthians
Philippians (could also include Philemon)

The Book of Revelation

Cultural Anthropology as a Tool for Studying the New Testament

Concepts such as honor and shame, patron and client, and the Mediterranean family are used to study the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus, and the ministry and writings of Paul. These themes will be discussed in other presentation topics, as well.

The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

(based in part on Professor Taylor’s experience in the Middle East, including a 2015 traveling seminar to Israel and Palestine, which included discussions with an Israeli Jewish West Bank settler, Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and Muslims).

Pericope Workshop on Advent and Christmas, Year C

(Advent begins November 29)

The Birth Narratives of the New Testament

Luke and/or Matthew

Note #1: A given biblical book listed could be studied in its entirety or by lifting up major themes.

Note #2: The potential topics can be presented in different formats, depending on the goals of the particular learning event.

Note #3: All presentations include PowerPoint, unless the planners of a particular event prefer not to have PowerPoint.

Available Presentation Dates (as of April 13, 2015)

July 2015
21-26

August 2015
13-20
25-31

September 2015
1-3
9-10
22-30

October 2015
1-5
7-21
27-31

November 2015
1-18

December 2015
1-14
16-18

A little bit about The Rev. Walter F. Taylor, Jr...

He is the Ernest W. and Edith S. Ogram Professor of New Testament Studies and Director of Graduate Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, where he has served since 1981. Previously he was a parish pastor in Lincoln, Nebraska. He earned his B.A. at Midland Lutheran College, his M.Div. at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and his Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University. He has also studied at Yale University Divinity School and was a Fulbright Professor at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in 1988-1989. During the Spring semester of 2009 he was a short-term missionary for the ELCA and taught at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt.

Professor Taylor has published 150 books, articles, chapters, reviews, and audio-visual materials, including his Paul, Apostle to the Nations: An Introduction (2012). He frequently speaks in congregations, at synod assemblies, and at continuing education events. Wally’s wife Dyann is a Library Media Specialist with the Columbus Public Schools. Their son Rick is a urologist, and their daughter-in-law Camille is an obstetrician/gynecologist. They live in New Albany, Ohio, with their two daughters Amelie (five) and Lindy (two). Dyann and Wally’s daughter Jennifer for eight years was a pre-school teacher for the Chicago Public Schools, and their son-in-law James is an independent film-maker. In 2012 they relocated to Los Angeles. Jennifer is now teaching in Redondo Beach, and Jamey is exploring options in the film and television industries; his latest gig was “Dancing with the Stars.” They have one son, Wilder, who is one.

The Taylors root for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Columbus Blue Jackets … and, yes, for The Ohio State Buckeyes when they are not playing Nebraska.

Contact Information

If you would like Dr. Taylor to be a part of your upcoming event, please contact him at 614.235.4136 or wtaylor@tlsohio.edu.