On April 26, 2014, Pacifica Institute Silicon Valley Branch hosted a lecture for Professor Gerald Grudzen. His speech, entitled “Spiritual Paths To an Ethical & Ecological Global Civilization”, was a book review of his most recent publication coauthored with Dr. John Raymaker.
Prof. Grudzen summarized a discussion of two key religious figures from the Christian and the Muslim beliefs: the Jesuit mystic scientist, Teilhard deChardin, and the Turkish Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gulen. The mystical traditions of both Islam and Christianity connect profoundly with the major ethical traditions of the other world religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, and Daoism/Confucianism.
Also discussed was Grudzen’s hands-on interfaith experience in Kenya and his involvement with the Hizmet Movement in Kenya. After a Q&A session, Professor Grudzen made himself available for book signings.
Professor Grudzen has multiple graduate degrees in Theology, Philosophy, and History, including a PhD in the History of Islam and Christianity during the Middles Ages. He has taught Philosophy, Religion, History, and Humanities courses at a variety of colleges and universities for the past 16 years. He also serves as the President of Global Ministries University, an international and interfaith online graduate program in theology and religious studies affiliated with Mahidol University in Thailand.
