Coram Deo

The Coram Deo Lecture Series at Central Lutheran Church is an annual event sponsored by the Social Ministries Team and generously supported by the Central Lutheran Foundation with a grant made in memory of Albert Fimmel. The last two years, the lectures series has also been co-sponsored by the Oregon Synod of the ELCA.

Coram Deo, Latin meaning "in the presence of God", presents lecturers with important messages for today's Christians.

In February 2005, Coram Deo presented well known Lutheran teacher, peace activist and author, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, from the Univeristy of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Nelson-Pallmeyer led engaging talks on what it means to follow Jesus' call to be peacemakers. One presentation focused on family values and raising children who promote peace. Other discussions explored the violent expressions of Christian scripture and non-violent alternatives and strategies for dealing with human conflict.

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing was the featured lecturer in February, 2006. Dr. Rossing's book, The Rapture Exposed: A Message of Hope in Revelation, brings us “a message of hope” from The Book of Revelation, to counteract the feelings of fear and defeat that the theories of The Rapture bring.

An internationally recognized “Jesus scholar,” Dr. Marcus Borg, was our weekend presenter during March, 2007. Dr. Borg has spent much of his life studying and writing about what Jesus would do were He among us. The title of one of Borg’s internationally acclaimed books, Jesus:The Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary, hints at his understanding of Jesus and authentic Christianity. Other equally provocative titles - Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, The God We Never Knew - point to an earlier understanding of God, the church, faith, and the religious life.

All lectures and worship services are open to the public. These are community events that are not restricted to just clergy, Lutherans or Christians. All are welcome.

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