Interdisciplinary Forum on the Bible and Health Set for October 30
Seminary, School of Nursing sponsor Chicago forum
CHICAGO (October 19, 2012) — A North Park University professor and a panel of health professionals and pastors will address topics related to the Bible, human health, and healthy relationships in an October 30 forum, "The Bible and Health: An Interdisciplinary Forum." The event features Dr. James Bruckner, professor of Old Testament with the University's North Park Theological Seminary, who will present from his recently published book, Healthy Human Life: A Biblical Witness.
The two-hour forum is free to attendees and begins at 3:30 pm in Olsson Lounge at North Park Theological Seminary. Event sponsors are the Seminary and the North Park University School of Nursing.
Healthy Human Life "is the result of 10 years of conversation about understanding and practicing human health — conversations between a biblical scholar and health care professionals," Bruckner said in an interview. "The book unpacks the biblical text to address questions which are foundational to health care as well as biblical theology." The book includes content for patients, families, health care professionals, counselors, and pastors dealing with health or end-of-life issues, and could be used as a text in professional schools.
Dr. James Bruckner
Panelists who will respond to Bruckner are Dr. Linda Duncan, dean of the School of Nursing and holder of the Gretchen Carlson Memorial Endowed Chair in Nursing; C. Louise Brown, vicepresident of health ministries, Progressive National Baptist Convention, and former director of public health for the City of Evanston, Ill.; and Rev. Philip Staurseth, pastor of Ravenswood Covenant Church, Chicago.
"There is tremendous interest in the church's role in promoting health with their members and communities as evidenced by the wide variety of health ministries in which churches are engaged," says Dr. Mary Chase-Ziolek, RN, Seminary and University professor of health ministries and nursing. "It is important for these ministries to be biblically and theologically informed as well as sound from a health perspective." Healthy Human Life "provides a much-needed biblical perspective" for Christian health professionals, congregations with health ministry teams or faith community (parish) nurses, and medical researchers, she added.
In addition, the Seminary offers a 12-credit interdisciplinary Certificate in Faith and Health in collaboration with the School of Nursing, as well as continuing education workshops for ministry and health professionals.
Use @npunews to follow North Park University News on Twitter. For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, via email or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more about North Park University.
Next Steps
Learn about academic offerings at North Park Theological Seminary, as well as the University's School of Nursing.