Visiting Theologian, April 15-17

Paul Shepherd will be the 2012 Visiting Theologian, sponsored by Luther Memorial Lutheran Church and The Well--Lutheran Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech.  The Visiting Theologian program seeks to enrich the spiritual conversation of the community by inviting a resource person to preach and teach in Blacksburg. 

This year's Visiting Theologian is not an academic theologian but a published novelist and poet who will challenge us to consider how fiction and the craft of writing help us explore deep spiritual questions.  Shepherd's overarching theme during his visit will be, "An Almighty Struggle."

The schedule for his time at Virginia Tech April 15-17:
  • Preaching at the 8:30 and 11:00 worship services.  Sermon theme:    "An Almighty Struggle: the Gifts and Burdens of Creativity" (Sunday).
  • Speaking during the Luther Forum between worship services (Campus Center):  "An Almighty Struggle: the Writer versus the Lord of All" (Sunday).
  • Speaking at a free noon luncheon in the Luther Memorial fellowship hall:    "Where Word and Story Meet:  Some thoughts on what makes sermons interesting, from a writer in the pew." (Monday).  This opportunity is targeted for those who preach but is open to anyone.  In order to ensure adequate food, please call 552-0066 if you plan to attend.
  • Reading and discussion on the Virginia Tech campus (Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Room 145) 4:00 p.m.:    "An Almighty Struggle: Writing, Religion, and Infernal Doubt" (Tuesday). Co-sponsored by the Virginia Tech English Department.

All events are open to the public.


Paul Shepherd is former Writer in Residence and Kingsbury Fellow at Florida State University, where he earned a PhD with distinction.  He attended the University of Virginia, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UNC-Greensboro.  His work has appeared in Crazyhorse, Fiction, Omni, Prairie Schooner, William and Mary Review, Folio, Pacific Review, US Catholic, St. Anthony Messenger, Portland Review, the Quarterly, Beloit Fiction, Maryland Review, and elsewhere.  He has served as Senior Editor of International Quarterly, and as faculty advisor to award-winning college newspapers and literary magazines.

His novel More Like Not Running Away won the Mary McCarthy Award and was finalist for the Associated Writing Programs, the Bakeless, the Gardner, and twice for the James Jones prizes.