Professor of Rhetoric and Director of Debate at Patrick Henry College, presented a Fireside Chat on the subject of

“Excellence in Theological Disputation:

What Lutherans Can Learn from Aristotle’s Topica

(with examples from Monty Python)”

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Part 1:

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Part 2:

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This interactive discussion will help you to identify premises and presuppositions  in conversation, argument and debate.

Dr. James Tallmon is Professor of Rhetoric and Director of Debate at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia since 2007. Previously Dr. Tallmon was Professor of Rhetoric and Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program at Dickinson State University in North Dakota.  He earned his Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Ethics from the University of Washington in 1993.  Dr. Tallmon enjoys teaching students to apply classical theory to the resolution of contemporary problems.  He contributes regularly to classical liberal arts education conferences, and his “Rhetoric Ring”(www.phc.edu/rr_ring_d.php) provides online resources especially dedicated to helping classical educators successfully teach the arts of eloquence.

Dr. Tallmon is published in the areas of rhetorical theory, reason, casuistry and pedagogy, ethics, argumentation, debate, first amendment jurisprudence, and broadcast regulation.  He is currently at work on a series of handbooks on Rhetoric (Public Speaking, Advanced Public Speaking, Argumentation & Debate, and Oral Interpretation of Literature) for high school students being classically educated.  This series will also critically engage the cultural phenomenon of teens growing up in America with their “second lives” online. 

Dr. Tallmon serves as Associate Editor for The Classical Education Quarterly and as Executive Board Secretary and Chairman of the Technology Committee for the Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education (CCLE).  Tallmon also consults in Total Quality Management. 

Dr. Tallmon and his wife of 29 years, Bonnie, live in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. They are members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Winchester, Virginia, where Jim serves as Elder and High School Sunday School Teacher.  In his spare time he volunteers for the Vector Speech and Debate Club for junior- and senior-high homeschool students in Purcellville, Virginia.

Direct Link: HQ – iPod

Concordia Theological Seminary is in an excellent position to develop pastors who will bring the gifts of God to the people of God. Through daily prayer, intensive study and experience, the seminarian is formed into a man of God and steward of His mysteries. We are here to serve you as you prepare for a life of making Christ known to those in need of the friendship of God.

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What a Way!
… to make a difference!
… to serve the Lord!
… to serve others!
… to use your gifts!
… to go to work!
… to live your life!

These phrases really sum up the spirit and purpose of What a Way. But read on to learn what we mean.

The mission of the LCMS is “to vigorously make known the love of Christ by Word and deed within our churches, communities and the world.”

The What a Way initiative in our church is one way we are trying to get at this mission.

What a Way has a dual focus:
To rebuild active recruitment and retention of church workers as an integrated part of the LCMS culture and lifestyle at the local congregation level.

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CTS was pleased to have Dr. James Arne Nestingen as a visiting professor for a two-week intensive term course on “Luther and Walther on Law and Gospel” this January. Dr. Nestingen has distinguished himself with long service to the church as a parish pastor in Oregon and Canada, an editor at Augsburg Publishing House, and as a professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Now retired, Dr. Nestingen is in demand as a speaker in the USA and abroad. He is leading voice of the confessional movement within the ELCA. Dr. Nestingen is the author of Martin Luther: A Life and co-editor with Robert Kolb of Sources and Context of the Book of Concord. While at CTS, Dr. Nestingen spoke on the significance of Luther’s On the Bondage of the Will for preaching and pastoral care at a fireside chat. We think that you will enjoy and be edified by his words.

Audio:

Download audio file (04Feb2009_Nestingen_audio.mp3)

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