David E. Fredrickson - Professor of New Testament - Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.
David
Fredrickson's approach to the New Testament is theological. "The New
Testament shows Jesus making a difference in God's life," he says. "God
and Jesus are a community of persons. And through the Spirit, we
participate in that community."
Our
participation comes through love of neighbor. "Christianity at its best
is not about spiritual perfection, but whether my neighbor has enough
to eat," Fredrickson says.
What
difference does all this make for the man or woman in the pew?
According to Fredrickson, this interpretation of the New Testament
provides the theological justification for taking congregations
seriously. "Because just as Jesus Christ changes God, congregations are
changed by members, and members by each other…Ideas are more real when
we think about them with others," he says. "I like scholarly ideas that
can be worked through with people in the congregation."
Fredrickson
is a graduate of Carleton College, received and M.Div. from Luther
Seminary and later earned three degrees from Yale University--both the
master of arts and master of philosophy degrees, as well as a Ph.D. in
religious studies.
