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In a nationally televised interview with the National Christian Broadcasting Network, Korea, he spoke about his personal journey in ecumenism, as well as what he believes is on the horizon. “The future of the church and theology undoubtedly lies in ecumenism,” he said.
He also recorded a video message shown in a chapel at Yonsei University, he spoke to students on “Public Witness in a Wounded World,” about what the church can contribute not only to their lives but to the good of humankind. “One of the most important contributions that the church can make in proclaiming the word in the public sphere is being a source of hope,” said Bedford-Strohm.
He also delivered a lecture at Yonsei University on 2 October entitled “Justice for the Whole Creation: Eco-Theology in the Ecumenical Movement.” He spoke about how the World Council of Churches addresses the climate emergency. “Together confessing God the Creator not only means looking at the earth in a global horizon that transcends national or regional interests,” he said. “But it also means knowing that the earth is not our human possession but entrusted to us to care for.”
Hosted by the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea Hanshin University Graduate School of Public Theology and Science Council, Berkeley Forum Center, and online, the public theology conference explored the theme "Public Theology, Civil Society, and Sociobiology.”
The gathering was held in honor of Prof. Dr Jürgen Moltmann.
Bedford-Strohm, who also serves as the European representative and senior advisor for the Berkeley Forum Center, spoke on Moltmann and the ecumenical movement. “Anyone today who witnesses how difficult it still is for church leaderships to follow up their talk about the unity of the church with action toward visible unity will hear Moltmann’s words as a call to repentance that is as relevant today as it was then,” said Bedford-Strohm.
In a keynote speech during the conference, Bedford-Strohm explored “Language of Life, Public Theology, and Natural Science.” He reflected on the crossroads at which the world stands.
“Probably there has never been a time in history, in which science and the new technologies it generates have changed the lives of people around the globe more than in present times,” he said.
Conference panel discussions covered topics such as “Ecumenical Public Theology and the Korean Church,” and “Dialogue Between Science and Religion.”
