The central website can be found at worthaus.org. From there, you can find notices of events and there is a well-stocked media library with lectures on a wide variety of topics, with portals on YouTube and Vimeo. Also a Facebook page is not missing.

The talk below is part of a series on the first chapters of the Bible. It is about man and woman. It is easy to see what concerns are pursued in the Bible reflection and what other perspectives may appear upon closer examination. It is a vivid example to an often (dogmatically, traditionally, socially…) prejudiced image, and how one can gain new insights in reading Scripture.

The search for the unobstructed view

The slogan of Worthaus “The search for the unobstructed view” already reveals a lot about the concerns. One does not claim to have found the ultimate knowledge, but searches actively, and in the lectures and events also with each other. The “undisguised view” refers to the many-sided perspectives that can get in the way of a sober consideration of the Bible today. Undisguised and uninhibited, but with more depth and more outlook, is what people are looking for. Getting to know God and taking His Word seriously go hand in hand. The brain remains switched on.

The differentiated debate

What is so explosive or refreshing about this debate? There are several things worth mentioning here:

• Every generation needs its own confrontation
  It is not enough to be taught old familiar things. In order for the meaning of the Bible itself to be grasped, it needs its own examination. Every time, including our time, needs an argument. Worthaus supports open discussion and encourages open conversation.
• Religion Trauma Syndrome
  There are people which are traumatized by religion. They were damaged by views and cultures in churches and sects. They strongly disengage from narrow views, and are disgusted by what they experienced. Anyone who has ever experienced this firsthand will understand what is mentioned again and again in these lectures. These are liberating messages and new approaches to Scripture for people who can no longer do much with dogmatically shaped messages, but who have so far only had God presented to them dogmatically.
• Broadening horizons
  Worthaus was created against the background of Reformation theology and is supported by university theologians. In my opinion, the lectures are mainly true to life and faith, just as they are held close to the Bible. Those who do not expect this from university circles, or even fear that they are “liberal” by definition, can broaden their horizons here. (“Liberal” is a scare term of conservative views and not suitable to describe what is actually going on).
• Socially Relevant
  A deepening of faith is always socially relevant, while dogmatic doctrines and assumptions rarely are.

Criticism of Worthaus

Worthaus not only excites, but also upsets some. Those who approach Scripture in a well-founded and multifaceted manner simply challenge many. Thus, there are some critical voices about Worthaus. Interestingly, as far as I have read, it is often about ideological objections. After all, one is completely convinced that one’s own view is correct, logically finds arguments for one’s own, and against the other view. That may still reach a high level and point out relevant points.

A discourse needs critical voices. Personally, it seems important to me to first declare these things as “points of view” and not to confuse them with “biblical truth”. Everyone works, thinks and acts with such assumptions. It is precisely these assumptions that are to be reflected upon again here, which is one of the main concerns.

In Markus Till’s excellent contribution “Worthaus – University Theology for Evangelicals?” this plays a role. The polarity between “infallibility of the Bible,” as he apparently understands it, and “biblical criticism” merely reveals ideological positions and does not really address the following points:
– How did people see it 2000 years ago? Infallibility in the sense of verbal inspiration did not exist at that time, the canon was not fixed and biblical criticism did not exist.
– The own position is differentiated, but not questioned.

As good and necessary as differentiated voices like Markus Till’s are important in a real discourse, a real discourse also needs the reflection of this view. Contributions of any kind – whether from Worthaus or written critiques – are indications, suggestions and serve in my opinion only to enable discourse.

Discussion aims at reflection, differentiation and, in the end, perhaps simply the courage to accept this and reject that. Worthaus is as imperfect as the critics’ views. It should be recognized that each speaker proceeds according to his or her own understanding and coinage – a natural feature of any view, theology, or opinion. However, the general approach of Worthaus seems to me to be groundbreaking and liberating precisely because concrete approaches are offered that promote a lively debate.

Deepening

Suggestions for joint exchange

• Listen to a lecture with others and discuss the topic
• Had you ever heard of Worthaus?
• Have you ever heard/seen/witnessed a lecture?
• Is your community critical or sympathetic to this project? Why?

Continuing

• Website of Siegfried Zimmer: siegfriedzimmer.de
  Interesting insights into professional career and faith development, as well as current projects.
• Siegfried Zimmer, “Does Biblical Scholarship Harm the Faith?”, ISBN 978-3-525-57306-8.