Speaker to Reflect on ‘Sabbath’

Norman Wirzba

Norman Wirzba, professor and chair of the philosophy department at Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky., will give a guest lecture on “Recovering the Sabbath for Everyday,” 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at Eastern Mennonite University.

Dr. Wirzba teaches courses in philosophy, environmental ethics and theology and is the author of several books, including “Living the Sabbath: Discovering the Rhythms of Rest and Delight,” published by Brazos Press.

Wirzba will also present the first Suter Science Seminar of fall semester 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, in room 104 of the Suter Science Center. He will speak on “Gratitude as the Basis for Environmental Ethics.”

In his talk, Wirzba will suggest that all the work and resources spent on environment issues in recent decades hasn’t led to major progress in terms of social and political action. The speaker plans to lift up a “disposition of gratitude,” using an agrarian approach, as effective way of bringing about change.

Refreshments will be served 15 minutes prior to the seminar.

Wirzba has taught at Georgetown College since 1995. His areas of specialization include 19th and 20th century continental philosophy and religious thought, environmental philosophy and theology, environmental ethics and agrarian studies.

His books include “The Essential Agrarian Reader: The Future of Culture, Community and the Land” (University Press of Kentucky, 2004) and “The Art of the Commonplace: Wendell Berry’s Agrarian Essays” (Counterpoint Press, 2002).

Admission to both presentations is free; for more information call 432-4168.