Must the Christian Church die…to be resurrected? Drew theology dean to give Spong lecture at St. Peter’s, Morristown, Oct. 26

The Rev. Dr. Javier Viera, dean of the Drew Theological School.
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By Olivia Yepez

The journey toward faith is not always a straight one. This rings especially true for the Rev. Dr. Javier Viera, dean of Drew University’s Theological School, who will divine the future of Christianity this weekend in Morristown.

Does the Christian Church have to die in order to be resurrected? is the provocative title of his talk, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at 9:30 am in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Bishop John Shelby Spong speaks on Good Friday 2016 at St. Peter's. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Bishop John Shelby Spong speaks on Good Friday 2016 at St. Peter’s. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Viera will deliver the annual Christine Mary & John Shelby Spong Lecture, named for retired Episcopal Bishop John “Jack” Shelby Spong, 88, a prolific author who has advocated for scholarly discussion of Christianity; and his wife.

Religion always has been a part of Viera’s life, though its form has evolved.

“I cannot remember a time when a life of faith was not central to me,” Viera said. “I grew up in an observant family, in which I was born, baptized and initially raised Roman Catholic. But as often happens in Latin American families, my family eventually migrated to a Pentecostal-style church that also happened to be Methodist.”

His path toward the ministry largely was influenced by his intellectual and spiritual mentors at Florida Southern College, Duke, Yale and Columbia, he said.

Though Viera also earned college degrees in political science as well as religious studies, he said he felt strongly compelled to find answers to the big, complex questions that theology poses.

“I initially went to seminary not to seek ordination, but to ask questions, lots of questions,” Viera said. “It was during my time in seminary when it became clear to me that this sort of work, and pursuing those sorts of questions, was how I wanted to spend my life.”

After becoming an ordained minister, Viera found himself working in Manhattan, where he confronted questions of religious diversity, possibility and multi-faith collaborations–subjects of increasing urgency, post-9/11.

“I became deeply involved in multi-faith work in the city, and eventually pursued doctoral studies that focused on the questions and challenges of religious leadership in a pluralistic and secular age,” Viera said.

He credits his college experience and time living in New York City as key factors shaping his religious views.

“I came to experience the categories and ways of thinking of my youth as too rigid, too constrictive,” said Viera, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Rev. Javier Viera, dean of the Drew University Theological School, Jan. 21, 2019. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Rev. Javier Viera, dean of the Drew University Theological School, at Martin Luther King Day breakfast in Morristown, Jan. 21, 2019. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Two decades in New York City “broadened my perspectives, my interests, and understanding of how and where God is present and at work in our world. The rigid moral categories and concerns that I was raised with didn’t hold up well in that context, and am I thankful for that.”

Viera joined Drew University’s faculty in 2014 and was given the additional role of vice provost last year.

He leads the theological school in Madison as Drew considers severing its ties to the United Methodist Church because of the church’s move to ban same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy.

“We’re going to stand our ground that religion is and can be, and should be the strongest force for good and for love, and for dreaming a new world into being, rather than a force that separates,” Viera told a Martin Luther King Day observance in Morristown this year.

Attendees to Saturday’s lecture can expect Viera to speak about Christianity as a quest for personal and communal liberation, which should define their work and purposes in the world.

Viera said he is humbled and honored to be presenting alongside Bishop Spong, who he ranks among the most intelligent, creative and courageous leaders he has ever met. Spong’s writings are controversial within the religious community, Viera noted.

Established in 2011, the Spong Lecture Series has presented leaders and scholars from the worlds of theology, education, and social ministry. Spong has been featured on 60 Minutes and appeared on Politically Incorrect, The O’Reilly Factor,  and Oprah, among other programs.

Viera’s lecture runs from  9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is free and open to all. The church asks that event-goers RSVP in advance here, or by calling 973-538-0555. A continental breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. St. Peter’s is at South Street and Miller Road.

MorristownGreen.com correspondent Olivia Yepez is an honors student at Drew University (’22), where she is an editor of The Acorn. MorristownGreen.com Editor Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.

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