Lipscomb's College of Bible & Ministry Podcast: Dr. Lauren White
October 31, 2024
Dr. Lauren White, Assistant Professor of Theology
Welcome to Lipscomb University's College of Bible and Ministry Podcast, where we integrate strong academics with spiritual formation and biblical study! In this inaugural episode, we are joined by Dr. Lauren White, one of the original podcast inspirations. Listen along on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Dr. White's academic journey began in Northwest Alabama and led her through undergraduate and master's degrees in English before transitioning to theological studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School, where she found her passion for systematic theology. Her current research focuses on systematic theology, particularly theological hermeneutics, exploring how Protestants interpret scripture and how these interpretations impact communities and history. At Lipscomb, she teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses such as Church History 1 & 2, as well as Systematic and Historical Theology 1 & 2. The importance of understanding theological ideas within their historical and material contexts is emphasized in her work, with philosophy playing a key role in shaping these ideas.
In this conversation, we discuss the challenge within Protestantism of maintaining unity amidst diverse interpretations of scripture. Prioritizing individual readings over communal interpretations often leads to fragmentation within Protestant communities. To counter this, Dr. White advocates for a stronger role of community and embodied practices in scriptural interpretation, fostering greater unity and collective understanding. The discussion also touches on the relevance of theology in today's politically charged climate, as well as the necessary discernment when approaching such a topic. Dr. White reflected upon the meaning of Ephesians 6:12 to emphasize the need to recognize spiritual forces behind societal and political divisions. This understanding, she suggests, can help faith communities navigate contemporary challenges more effectively.
She also shares her aspiration to make theology a more accessible topic to the average person. Dr. White and her colleagues at Lipscomb are also exploring projects to help students and the broader community better understand scripture as a communal gift rather than solely an individual tool. We also touch on the significance of communal formation and church engagement for students. Acknowledging their role in the church, regardless of future careers, is essential for them, and the value of intergenerational learning within faith communities is highlighted.
Stay tuned for more insightful conversations on our podcast. In the meantime, dive deeper into the themes we explore with Dr. Lauren White in her book, Flesh Made Word: The Protestant Interpretation Problem and an Embodied Hermeneutic, a reimagining of biblical interpretation as a collaborative, transformative process shaped by both divine inspiration and human experience. Dr. White incorporates her expertise into our College of Bible & Ministry’s graduate and undergraduate courses all designed to enrich the theological education and journey of the student body.
“There seems to be a kind of obsession with progress and moving ahead, and we seem to think we know more than people who came before us. But in reality, there’s some real truth or meaning in the text that we’re overlooking.” — Dr. Lauren White
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