I start with last Saturday. Anya has enjoyed worshiping at the international church in Stockholm. They had an international potluck on Saturday evening, so we made a chocolate cake to represent the USA. We went a bit early to enjoy some of Stockholm, which included my first visit to the architecturally famous Stockholm City Library.
At the library, you need to pay to use the bathroom. If you don’t have change, no problem; you can pay the 5 kroner ($.62) with a credit card.
There is a lot of construction, which is a sign of a robust economy.
The international dinner was very good. We had some nice conversations, and I was introduced to a couple of the pastors there when they found out that I taught at Johannelund. There seemed to be a warm regard for Johannelund, though most are connected to the Stockholm School of Theology.
The rest of the weekend (other than a Sunday worship and a bit of a shortened Sabbath) was spent in preparation for my speaking on Monday at a conference at Johannelund with a theme of Theology and Music. I spoke on the Psalms and Music. It seemed to engage good reflection. I even made it into the main Swedish Christian news paper. Here’s the link.
Tomorrow, I present a paper at the Old Testament seminar at the University of Uppsala. I am challenging—hopefully graciously—the biblical scholars in Sweden to have a broader conversation and engage other epistemologies (ways of knowing), especially from the Majority World (beyond traditional Euro-North American perspectives). It is similar to what I presented at the University of Lund last September (with some defensiveness) and in Oslo last November (with good affirmation). I hear that Uppsala may be the least receptive audience as the bastion of “scientific” approaches to exegetical theology. I would appreciate your prayers.
Anya asked to make caramel rolls, so we baked together tonight with some very nice outcomes!
With blessings,
Beth