Rev. Phillip Baker, Ph.D. is currently the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Asia Pacific Regional Representative For Theological Education and Church Relations. He has served as a parish pastor as well as a seminary professor.
Glocal Theological Education Issues and Concerns From One Person’s Point of View
January 2015: Globalization and Theological Education (Volume 15 Issue 1)
Baker’s piece addresses the attendees of the Convocation of Lutheran Teaching Theologians directly, which is appropriate for his focus on context. Baker explores the importance of global experiences in theological education and asks professors to think of ways in which different global contexts can impact their students’ understanding of theology and even learning styles. On a larger scale, he also urges seminaries to establish effective partnerships that allow students from the United States to study abroad in addition to bringing students here. How can our theology reflect our relationships and our relationships reflect our theology?