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German scholar’s first taste of the Northwest
May 11, 2007
Imagine living in the midst of life on Garfield Street, in an apartment located just above the Old Main Grill. Now imagine you’re a member of the faculty living there.
German scholar Beate Hofmann is currently a visiting scholar in residence at PLU, and her apartment sits just above the grill.
“I’m in the midst of student life,” she joked. “The warmer it gets, the louder it gets. But at least they are having fun.”
Hofmann is good natured and enjoying her time and the hospitality of those at PLU. This is her first visit to the Pacific Northwest. Since arriving on April 9, she’s tried to take in all the sites. Hofmann has also been busy with her current research project and lecturing in PLU classes.
A theologian and ordained Lutheran pastor, Hofmann is particularly interested in practical theology, which links theological thinking to daily life. Her current research focuses on the response of the church to postmodern society. In particular, she is focused on the rise of mega-churches and a newer trend called the “emerging church.”
She is looking at how mega-churches in the Northwest operate and trying to determine what makes the organization attractive to so many people, many of who wouldn’t otherwise be religious. According to Hofmann, mega-churches tend to flatten theology and give people “easy answers,” she said.
Hofmann doesn’t agree with the practices of mega-churches because they simply tell people how to react. In order to have deeply held convictions, you can’t “imperialize faith,” she said. People must be supported and allowed to build their own identity and beliefs.
“You must be able to argue your position … versus blind following,” she said. “(Germans) have a history of blind following, which is why we have a critical eye.”
Her other research focus, the emerging church, was not something she originally planned to look at. However, Seattle is home to many of these churches, and she was introduced to the movement when she arrived here.
Unlike the mega-churches, the emerging church is smaller and more community oriented and it takes a more traditional approach to worship. Yet, just like the mega-church, it also appeals to those who aren’t religiously inclined, she said.
The Pacific Northwest is characterized as a more secular society, and that serves her purposes well, she said. Just like the Northwest, Germany has become more secular, and she will be able to draw parallels in her research between the two regions.
Hofmann currently teaches at the Lutheran University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg. About 850 students study at the university, which is run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria. In addition to classes grounded in the Christian faith, the university also offers classes similar to those offered at any public university, she said.
“The church is much more a partner in education than in the United States,” she said.
She’s also noticed that Americans approach education differently. The focus seems to be on learning enough to get a good-paying job, but she cautions the process of learning is never done.
“It’s an ongoing process,” she said. “Education enhances your life and broadens your views. We come from an approach that is broader, not just what I need to survive economically.”
Learn more about her university at www.evfh-nuernberg.de. Contact Hofmann at beate.hofmann@evfh-nuernberg.de.
“I’m in the midst of student life,” she joked. “The warmer it gets, the louder it gets. But at least they are having fun.”
Hofmann is good natured and enjoying her time and the hospitality of those at PLU. This is her first visit to the Pacific Northwest. Since arriving on April 9, she’s tried to take in all the sites. Hofmann has also been busy with her current research project and lecturing in PLU classes.
A theologian and ordained Lutheran pastor, Hofmann is particularly interested in practical theology, which links theological thinking to daily life. Her current research focuses on the response of the church to postmodern society. In particular, she is focused on the rise of mega-churches and a newer trend called the “emerging church.”
She is looking at how mega-churches in the Northwest operate and trying to determine what makes the organization attractive to so many people, many of who wouldn’t otherwise be religious. According to Hofmann, mega-churches tend to flatten theology and give people “easy answers,” she said.
Hofmann doesn’t agree with the practices of mega-churches because they simply tell people how to react. In order to have deeply held convictions, you can’t “imperialize faith,” she said. People must be supported and allowed to build their own identity and beliefs.
“You must be able to argue your position … versus blind following,” she said. “(Germans) have a history of blind following, which is why we have a critical eye.”
Her other research focus, the emerging church, was not something she originally planned to look at. However, Seattle is home to many of these churches, and she was introduced to the movement when she arrived here.
Unlike the mega-churches, the emerging church is smaller and more community oriented and it takes a more traditional approach to worship. Yet, just like the mega-church, it also appeals to those who aren’t religiously inclined, she said.
The Pacific Northwest is characterized as a more secular society, and that serves her purposes well, she said. Just like the Northwest, Germany has become more secular, and she will be able to draw parallels in her research between the two regions.
Hofmann currently teaches at the Lutheran University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg. About 850 students study at the university, which is run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria. In addition to classes grounded in the Christian faith, the university also offers classes similar to those offered at any public university, she said.
“The church is much more a partner in education than in the United States,” she said.
She’s also noticed that Americans approach education differently. The focus seems to be on learning enough to get a good-paying job, but she cautions the process of learning is never done.
“It’s an ongoing process,” she said. “Education enhances your life and broadens your views. We come from an approach that is broader, not just what I need to survive economically.”
Learn more about her university at www.evfh-nuernberg.de. Contact Hofmann at beate.hofmann@evfh-nuernberg.de.