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Walking by faith: Lawrence Stratton

By Nika Anschuetz new Multimedia Editor 3 min read

When did you first come to Waynesburg and what led you here?

I was invited to lead a two-week long course in the spring of 2009 about Christian ethics and constitutional law. I started teaching here in the fall of 2010.

In what ways do you demonstrate your faith in your position at Waynesburg?

The Stover Program’s focus on Christian ethics and constitutional law relates to the core of the sense that Jesus Christ is in our midst. One way in which God expresses his love for humanity is through the social order. The political structure of society is directly related to the ethical and moral structure of the community, which is the critical insight of Aristotle’s ethics.

How do you use that in the classroom?

Faith is integrated into the curriculum that I teach. I teach courses on ethics, constitutional law and government. One way to look at things is the relationship between the Calvinist insights and the framers of the constitution, particularly James Madison. John Witherspoon was the only ordained minister to sign the Declaration of Independence. We study his discussion of his student, James Madison as well as others at the constitutional convention.

Have any specific moments whether in interacting with a student or a fellow faculty member touched you spiritually or affirmed your faith?

Constantly, the insights of students as they explore the federalist papers and the constitution. Watching them study theologians like Reinhold Niebuhr as well as the Bible itself. The book of Romans invariably creates situations where I am absolutely intrigued about what students say and write.

How did you become an ordained minister?

The Stover Program is a validated ministry of the Presbyterian Church. I was ordained to this position through the Presbyterian Church and the presbytery.

What topics do you tend to preach at church?

They usually differ and they’ll be some issue that I have been wrestling with or I want to ponder some more. The common lectionary lays out passages that the church is reading at the moment or the minister may say we’re studying this book.

Do you feel that you are where God wants you to be?

Oh yes, I’m very grateful to be here. Waynesburg has a unique mission and the students are unique. It has a confident hope here and it gives us all hope. Waynesburg University students are transforming the polis. I believe that God is constantly reminding us of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, so our task is to prayerfully be aware of it. I stood in line at commencement and said to one of my colleagues pointing to the graduating class walking by, “that’s the hope of the future right there.”

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