Creative response to constructive theology by Jan Boden much, if not more, work to complete.” “Constructive theology is the final course students must take in the theology sequence at LSTC. They will have had Systematic Theology 1 and 2 and completed internship,” says Dr. Thomas. “The course calls on students to integrate a number of standpoints influencing their lives and minds as they look forward to their first call. The standpoints include not only the professional theologians the students have engaged in classes but also people and experiences that have influenced their faith development and spiritual formation. All students must articulate or build their own constructive theology using sources and norms to state their case. It is a declaration of a person’s rational relationship with God as she or he prepares to serve in ordained ministry.” A self-taught metalsmith, Baseman tried out techniques and textures until he got what he was looking for with his piece. “Experimenting is a good way of being creative, just letting things flow. I tried soldering thin wires onto the body of the cross to give it the texture of bark. It looked okay, but was really too fragile to hold up. When I scraped it off, I liked the texture that the scraping produced.” The design, based on John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches,” juxtaposes death and life: an instrument of torture that becomes life-giving. Baseman wrote a hymn with the same theme to accompany the cross.
Ed Baseman
Senior Ed Baseman pulls what looks like a smooth branch from a paper shopping bag he brought with him. He lays it on the table between us and polished copper leaves entwining a vertical branch glisten in the afternoon light. It is a simple cross, about a foot long—the prototype for a larger processional cross he made as a final project for the Constructive Theology course he took with Dr. Linda Thomas. Baseman used simple materials, copper pipe and wire that he purchased at a hardware store, and transformed it in his basement workshop into an encapsulation of his theology. “For me, this was a richer way of expressing what I think and how I believe,” Baseman says. “It was less structured than a paper but took just as
Vine and Branch
Continued on page 15
E. Henry Baseman
God creator, Christ incarnate, Lord of all creation’s start Send your spirit coursing through us Nurture, grow and fill each heart.
You are vine and we are branches, Tender shoot and growing bud. We are grafted, we are nourished, By your body and your blood.
In your fertile word we hear it; By your grace we are set free; Freed from sin and all its burdens, Called to be as we should be.
You are vine and we are branches, Stretching up toward heav’n above; We are grafted, we are nourished Rooted deep in saving love.
Come almighty, come and form us, Prune and tend us as you must. Help us turn from sin and evil, Cultivate our faith and trust.
You are vine and we are branches, We would be your holy fruit; We are grafted, we are nourished By your love; our life, our root.
You have planted, fed and watered, We are what your love has grown In your varied image sprouting, We are cherished as your own.
You are vine and we are branches, Shape us, grow our lives anew. We are grafted, we are nourished, By the truth that flows in you.
VineandBranch
13
8787D