FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
- Dr. Harold Raser
In this issue, the Faculty Spotlight is on Dr. Harold Raser, NTS Professor of the History of Christianity. Dr. Raser began teaching at NTS in 1980—28 years ago. His wife, Joy, is Associate Professor of English at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, KS, and every other year team-teaches the course “Women in Church and Culture” with Harold at NTS. Harold and Joy have two grown children, Erika and Derren, and one grandchild, Elliott.
GIVE US A BRIEF UPDATE ON YOUR CHILDREN:
Our daughter, Erika, her husband, Mark, and our four year old grandson, Elliott, live in Kansas City. Erika and Mark are expecting their second child in April. Erika is a paralegal specializing in immigration law; Mark is an artist and graphic designer who operates his own business.
Our son, Derren, is pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter. He just released his fourth CD this past summer. He has performed from San Diego to Seattle and from the West Coast to New York City. He got married this past May and he and his wife, Lisa, are currently living in Illinois, where Lisa is pursuing a PhD in Communication Studies.
IN ADDITION TO TEACHING, WHAT KEEPS YOU BUSY?
When I have any “leftover” time from teaching I often read, which is also a large part of my teaching work. So, it is fairly difficult to distinguish between my work and “leisure” in this respect.
In addition, I love the mountains and spending recreational time there. (I grew up in the western United States.) I like to hike in the summer and ski in the winter. For many years, our family generally vacationed somewhere in the mountains of Colorado. That is still where Joy and I head when we have any time off.
I also love photography, as anyone knows who has been in my NTS office. One wall is covered with photos I’ve taken of my favorite places in those parts of the world in which I’ve been fortunate to travel. Wherever I go, I usually have a camera hanging around my neck.
In fact, Joy and I love to travel and have always taken every opportunity to do so. As a historian, I love seeing and taking pictures of historically significant places. On the whole, I find the great world that God has created, and the cultures and ways of life that people in that world have produced, to be endlessly fascinating and wonderful to experience.
Joy and I are members of Overland Park Church of the Nazarene – we have been for nearly 30 years. Over the years we’ve both taught Sunday School at every age level from College to Senior Adults. I’ve served on the Church Board, sung in the choir, led home Bible study groups,
preached when needed, and much else. Right now my main involvement is playing acoustic guitar in the worship orchestra (I’m the old white-haired guy up there with all the “young folk”) and serving as a greeter.
WHAT ARE YOUR RECENT OR IN-PROCESS WRITING PROJECTS?
1. I am co-author of OUR WATCHWORD AND SONG: THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, which was published this past summer by Beacon Hill Press. The book is intended to be the standard “text” for undergraduate and graduate courses on Nazarene history, as well as for the general reader interested in the history of the Church of the Nazarene.
2. I contributed a chapter, “Phineas Franklin Bresee: Recovering the Original Spirit of Methodism” to the book, FROM ALDERSGATE TO AZUSA STREET: WESLEYAN, HOLINESS, AND PENTECOSTAL VISIONS OF THE NEW CREATION, edited by Henry H. Knight III, forthcoming this summer.
3. I contributed a chapter, “Holding Tightly to the ‘Promise of the Father’: Phoebe Palmer and the Legacy of Fletcher of Madeley in Mid- Nineteenth Century Methodism” to the book, RELIGION, GENDER, INDUSTRY: EXPLORING CHURCH AND METHODISM IN A LOCAL SETTING, edited by Peter Forsaith and Geordan Hammond, forthcoming this summer.
4. I contributed a chapter, “’A Modern-Day Pentecost’: Phoebe Palmer, Phineas Bresee, and the American Holiness Movement” to the book, PHINEAS BRESEE IN CONTEXT, edited by Stan Ingersol, forthcoming this summer.
5. I am currently writing four articles for the forthcoming GLOBAL WESLEYAN DICTIONARY OF THEOLOGY, edited by Al Truesdale.
6. During my recent sabbatical I began research for a projected new (“short”) biography on Phoebe Palmer. My original work on Palmer, PHOEBE PALMER, HER LIFE AND THOUGHT, was published back in 1987. I have learned a great deal since then, and historical scholarship has progressed over the years. My intention is to “revisit” Palmer in light of what I and others have learned during these years and to produce an altogether new and fresh account of her life and work. Among other things during my sabbatical, I spent four weeks in Britain visiting places where Palmer ministered (during 1859-1863) and examining materials in major research libraries in London, Oxford, and Manchester. I also participated in a conference on Methodist history there and presented a paper on some of my findings.
Back home I spent time in New York City (where Phoebe Palmer was born and lived) researching in archives at New York University, the New York Historical Society, Drew University, and elsewhere. I hope to have the manuscript of the new book completed by this summer.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT TEACHING AND MINISTERING AT NTS?
The only thing I don’t like about teaching at NTS is grading papers (as many students who have waited a long time to get a paper back from me have quickly discovered). I love everything else about teaching here. I love classroom interaction with students; I love seeing students grow in faith, knowledge, wisdom, and ministry skills during the time that they’re in seminary; I enjoy conversation and counseling and praying with students outside the classroom; I get to hang out with and learn from some of the brightest and most deeply devoted people in the church – what’s not to like? I have been most blessed that God has seen fit to allow me to be a part of the ministry of Nazarene Theological Seminary.
DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES FROM YOUR DAYS AS AN NTS STUDENT:
Some of my favorite memories are classes with Dr. Bassett. I took every class of his that I could fit into my schedule.
I also remember two seminars that I took which met in Dr. Willard Taylor’s living room instead of on campus. Part way through the evening his wife would serve us refreshments. I had never experienced that kind of informality and closeness with a teacher before.
Another highlight was worshipping at Overland Park Church of the Nazarene with several NTS professors and their families. It was a great chance to see the faculty outside of their professorial roles, and as simply spouses, parents, and as members of the worshipping community.
On rare occasions I skipped chapel to go with friends to Research Hospital’s cafeteria to get a Coke and debate theology (the small lunch room at NTS at the time was of course closed during chapel).
WHAT BOOKS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
I recommend the forthcoming centennial history of the Church of the Nazarene (If I may be so bold). This has been a major undertaking, emerging from years of work by four historians who are all active in the study and teaching of Nazarene history. Those who have read the two Called Unto Holiness, vols. 1 & 2, by Timothy Smith and W.T. Purkiser (Beacon Hill Press, 1962 & 1983) will of course find some review here, but also much important new data and interpretation. I only contributed ¼ of the material.
I also recommend Religion in American Life: A Short History by Jon Butler, Grant Wacker, and Randall Balmer (Oxford, 2007). This is an “accessible,” yet scholarly account of American religious life that illuminates our present and provides solid information in place of myths and legends.
HOW MAY THE NTS COMMUNITY PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
In all the ways that you would pray for anyone else – for grace and strength to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the world in the midst of all that life brings our way from day to day.