Education
B.A. Central College
B.D. New Brunswick Theological Seminary
M.Phil. Columbia University
Ph.D. Columbia University
Biography
Harold S. Vogelaar served as the first director, a Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, and
is professor of World Religions and Interfaith Dialogue, emeritus, at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. In addition
to teaching, he has served on special assignment to the Chicago
Center for Global Ministries; worked with the Division
for Global Missions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA); and the Chicago Synod of the Reformed Church
in America on interfaith and cross-cultural ministry in
North America.
Ordained in 1962 and sent out in 1963, Vogelaar was a missionary
in the Arabian Gulf and Egypt for many years where he served
congregations, was a hospital chaplain, and taught and directed
the Center for Study of Religion at the Evangelical Theological
Seminary, Cairo, Egypt. Upon returning to the United States
in 1988, Vogelaar taught at New Brunswick Theological Seminary,
New Brunswick, N.J., before joining the seminary's faculty
in 1990.
Respected for his expertise in interfaith relations, Vogelaar
served on the executive council of the interfaith relations
committee of the National Council of Churches of Christ
(NCCC) and chaired its committee of Christian-Muslim relations.
In 1999, he served on the NCCC working group that developed
a policy statement on interfaith relations that includes
a study guide, theological commentary and worship service.
In addition, he is co-chair of the Conference for Improved
Muslim-Christian Relations of Greater Chicago and serves
on the advisory committee of North Park's Middle East Study Center.
Widely published in the area of interfaith relations,
Vogelaar's articles and reviews have appeared in numerous
magazines, including The Lutheran, Muslim World,
Theological Review, New World Outlook,
and World Encounter.
Vogelaar received the bachelor of arts degree from Central
College, Pella, Iowa, and the bachelor of divinity degree
from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. The master of philosophy
and doctor of philosophy degrees were bestowed by Columbia
University, N.Y. in the department of Middle East languages
and cultures.
Areas of Expertise
Topics that Dr. Vogelaar is available to address at
adult forums and other congregational events
Christian-Muslim Relations
Global Mission
Middle East
Muslims in America
Titled Presentations
Greet and Meet Your Muslim Neighbors (2-5 sessions)
Introduction to Islam (2-5 sessions)
Ministry in a Multi-faith Community (1-2 sessions)
The Bible and Quran: Search for Common Ground (2-5 sessions)
Jesus and Muhammad in History in Faith (2-5 sessions)
Christians and Muslims: Owning our Pasts, Visioning the Future
Profile
Harold Vogelaar, director, Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice and professor of World Religions and Interfaith Dialogue, emeritus, has served on the Lutheran School of Theology
at Chicago faculty since 1990. His special area of scholarly
work and passion is Islamic studies. Fluent in Arabic, he
lived for many years in the Middle East, serving in the
Arabian Gulf and Egypt as a pastor, hospital chaplain, co-director of refugee
services, educator and founder and director of the Center
for the Study of Religion at the Evangelical Theological
Seminary in Cairo. The seminary community knows him best
as someone in touch with the Muslim communities in Chicago
and who is deeply involved in Christian-Muslim relations,
always eager to build bridges of understanding between the
two communities. He has recently been named to direct the new LSTC Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice. Married to Mai from Thailand, they live
on campus.
This webpage was last modified on July 24, 2007 |
