YDS Dean Greg Sterling and host Emily Judd ‘19 M.A.R. discuss polarization, ecotheology, and the future of theological education in the 50th episode of the YDS podcast series, the “Quadcast.”
With respect to polarization, Sterling notes a disturbing tendency among Americans to regard their political opponents as enemies and a trend that finds churches becoming politically homogenous. “As a Christian,” Sterling says, “I’m very worried that we’re going to end up with all red churches and all blue churches instead of having churches that are purple.”
Gregory E. Sterling has served as The Reverend Henry L. Slack Dean and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School since 2012. In October 2021, then-President Peter Salovey announced Sterling’s appointment for a third five-year term, beginning July 1, 2022.
During his decade-plus at YDS, Sterling has been a leading theological and moral voice for addressing inequality and injustice in society and has led efforts to dramatically increase financial aid for students. He has also been the driving force behind the Divinity School’s work to construct the Living Village, a visionary student residence hall that is designed to be the education sector’s largest living-building residential complex and a model for the nation and the world. Construction is underway with a planned opening date of August 2025. Read his full bio here.
The YDS Quadcast is hosted by Emily Judd, who is Senior Communications Specialist at the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, an international humanitarian organization supported by Pope Francis, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and the leadership of the United Arab Emirates. She previously worked as a journalist in the Middle East.
Listen to past episodes of the YDS Quadcast.
Download a transcript of this epidsode (pdf).