麻豆原创

As we conclude our yearlong celebration of Augsburg鈥檚 150th anniversary, in the midst of these historic times, I have been reflecting on some of听the mottos and slogans Augsburg has used throughout its听history. From our founding scriptural motto鈥斺�淎nd the Word听became flesh and lived among us鈥� (John 1:14)鈥攖o the听familiar 鈥淓ducation for service,鈥� to the more recent 鈥淲e听believe we are called to serve our neighbor,鈥� to the iconic听phrase first used as part of Augsburg鈥檚 100th anniversary听and now featured on our university seal, 鈥淭hrough truth to听freedom,鈥� each phrase points to abiding values that are at听the heart of the education Augsburg offers to its students.

I am particularly struck by the claim made in that听centennial motto, and I wonder what it might mean听to explore how 鈥淭hrough truth to freedom鈥� shapes our听teaching and learning community in the midst of these pandemic times.

In a recent presentation, Professor of Religion Mary听Lowe offered a provocative challenge when she asked us听what it might mean to educate our students for freedom.听What a countercultural notion! Educated for freedom from听ignorance, from oppression, from division and hatred and听violence. Educated for freedom to make the world more fair听and just and healthy, to be good neighbors, to take care of听creation. Educated for freedom for the sake of the world, for听the good of others, for the promise of wonder and creativity.

At Augsburg, the possibility of this education for freedom听is grounded in claims of truth. Above all, a theological听claim of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ鈥攕tated so听powerfully in that founding scriptural motto from the first听chapter of John鈥檚 gospel鈥攁 truth that makes all things听possible in our lives and work in the world. At the same听time, it鈥檚 the truth we find in our commitment to a liberal听arts education鈥攖o the belief in scientific knowledge, in听social analysis, in artistic expression, in cultural wisdom.听And finally, it鈥檚 the truth we find in the lived experiences of听our students and the communities from which they come,听truths that reside in rituals and traditions and practices that听invite us into worlds rich in knowledge and wonder.

鈥淭hrough truth to freedom鈥� strikes me as a compelling听response to this moment when we find ourselves living听at the intersection of three pandemics. The COVID-19听pandemic has disrupted all aspects of how we live and听work, and it has pointedly illustrated the tension between听public health and economic well-being. Following in the听wake of that pandemic, an economic pandemic threatens听our social fabric with massive unemployment and business听closures worldwide. And, most recently, the racial inequities听exacerbated by the senseless murder of George Floyd by听Minneapolis police officers鈥攁long with countless Black,听Indigenous, and other people of color who鈥檝e experienced听similar racism and violence鈥攈ave created a third pandemic听that threatens to tear our country apart. Surely this听uncharted intersection of crises presents unique challenges听for all of us as citizens, trying to imagine how we will听navigate to some as yet unknown future.

The question we will ask at Augsburg鈥攁 question at听the heart of our academic mission and our commitment听to social justice鈥攊s, 鈥淲here is the truth in the midst of听these pandemics?鈥�

What is the truth about keeping each other healthy听in the face of a novel coronavirus? What is the truth in听an economy that, more and more, deepens remarkable听inequities What is the truth in centuries of systemic听racism and oppression? And the truths we will find, always听evolving and emerging and transforming, will free us for the听work we are called to do as 鈥渋nformed citizens, thoughtful听stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders鈥濃�擜ugsburg鈥檚 mission!

Let us go forward together into the next 150 years of听Augsburg鈥檚 life recommitted to education guided by the听belief that through truth there is indeed freedom. I can only听wonder what such a countercultural belief will mean for听stories yet to be told.

Stay strong, safe, and well.

Faithfully yours,

Paul C. Pribbenow, President