Westar Institute
Encyclopedia
The Westar Institute is best known as the sponsoring organization of the Jesus Seminar
. A non-profit foundation founded in 1985, it is, according to its mission statement
, a "research and educational institute dedicated to the advancement of religious literacy." It is considered to be one of the major organizations promoting liberal Christianity
, as evidenced by a list of accolades on its website by such figures as Karen Armstrong
, Richard Holloway
, and John Dominic Crossan
. All three are listed as fellows of the institute.
The principal founder of the institute was the late Robert Funk. He took its name from an early communication satellite, Westar
, saying that "we're in the communications business."
Although the Jesus Seminar is the best-known project of the institute, it also sponsors other activities. The "Acts Seminar", which began work in 1999, is assessing the Acts of the Apostles
in the same manner as the Jesus Seminar examined the gospel
s. A group is also working on a translation of other New Testament
and non-canonical texts, as was done to support the findings of the Jesus Seminar.
The institute has a publishing arm in the form of Polebridge Press. In addition to books, three journals are published:
The institute also sponsors seminars and discussion groups on the work of the Jesus Seminar and related issues in New Testament criticism and maintains a directory of churches that are "that are receptive to the work of the Jesus Seminar."
Jesus Seminar
The Jesus Seminar is a group of about 150 critical scholars and laymen founded in 1985 by Robert Funk under the auspices of the Westar Institute....
. A non-profit foundation founded in 1985, it is, according to its mission statement
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
, a "research and educational institute dedicated to the advancement of religious literacy." It is considered to be one of the major organizations promoting liberal Christianity
Liberal Christianity
Liberal Christianity, sometimes called liberal theology, is an umbrella term covering diverse, philosophically and biblically informed religious movements and ideas within Christianity from the late 18th century and onward...
, as evidenced by a list of accolades on its website by such figures as Karen Armstrong
Karen Armstrong
Karen Armstrong FRSL , is a British author and commentator who is the author of twelve books on comparative religion. A former Roman Catholic nun, she went from a conservative to a more liberal and mystical faith...
, Richard Holloway
Richard Holloway
Richard F. Holloway is a Scottish writer and broadcaster and was formerly Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church....
, and John Dominic Crossan
John Dominic Crossan
John Dominic Crossan is an Irish-American religious scholar and former Catholic priest known for co-founding the Jesus Seminar. Crossan is a major figure in the fields of biblical archaeology, anthropology and New Testament textual and higher criticism. He is also a lecturer who has appeared in...
. All three are listed as fellows of the institute.
The principal founder of the institute was the late Robert Funk. He took its name from an early communication satellite, Westar
Westar
Westar was the name for the fleet of geosynchronous communications satellites operating in the C band which were launched by Western Union from 1974 to 1984. There were seven Westar satellites in all, with five of them launched and operating under the Westar name.In many international recognized...
, saying that "we're in the communications business."
Although the Jesus Seminar is the best-known project of the institute, it also sponsors other activities. The "Acts Seminar", which began work in 1999, is assessing the Acts of the Apostles
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles , usually referred to simply as Acts, is the fifth book of the New Testament; Acts outlines the history of the Apostolic Age...
in the same manner as the Jesus Seminar examined the gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
s. A group is also working on a translation of other New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
and non-canonical texts, as was done to support the findings of the Jesus Seminar.
The institute has a publishing arm in the form of Polebridge Press. In addition to books, three journals are published:
- Forum publishes scholarly articles.
- Westar Seminar Papers publishes working papers from the institute's seminars.
- The Fourth R is aimed at a general audience.
The institute also sponsors seminars and discussion groups on the work of the Jesus Seminar and related issues in New Testament criticism and maintains a directory of churches that are "that are receptive to the work of the Jesus Seminar."