Celebrated Baylor Professor to Cover Homer to the Hunger Games at W.C. Dobbs Endowed Lecture

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WACO, Texas (Sept. 26, 2014) – Acclaimed by BBC Radio as one of America’s leading authorities on religion and culture, Greg Garrett, Ph.D., professor in department of English in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences, has been selected as this year’s W.C. Dobbs endowed lecturer. Garrett will expound on the topic "From Homer to The Hunger Games: Imaginative Reading for Preaching, Teaching, and Formation” at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, in Paul Powell Chapel, Truett Seminary, 1100 S Third St # 97126, in Waco, Texas 76798.
The emphasis of the lecture is applied and practical Christianity.
“Greg Garrett is one expert who can teach us how to have eyes to read our culture and understand how these couple with theology,” said Brian Brewer, Ph.D., associate professor of Christian Theology. “Those like Garrett help us recognize that culture doesn’t have to be our enemy.”
Garrett’s discipline of reading a variety of literary work and also the background in theology has given him the ability to bring those worlds together, Brewer said.
“His ability to do this helps us as Christians and pastors in interpreting literature and pop culture and how to utilize them,” Brewer said. “What a gift to Baylor to have him speak.”
Garrett is a widely celebrated professor, having received the 2013 Centennial Professor at Baylor University and university-wide teaching honors from both the Student Congress and university administration. In addition, Garrett has distinguished himself as author or co-author of twenty books. A seminary-trained lay preacher in the Episcopal Church, Fellow of the National Cathedral’s College of Preachers and member of the Texas Institute of Letter, he speaks, teaches and preaches nationally and internationally.
Presented by George W. Truett Theological Seminary, the W.C. Dobbs Endowed Lecture was established in 1995 by Dr. W.C. Dobbs, a retired professor of Christian ethics at Mobile College of Mobile, Alabama.
For more information, please contact Dr. Brian Brewer at Brian_Brewer@baylor.edu.
by Sarah Czerwinski, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT GEORGE W. TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the Master of Theological Studies, or the Doctor of Ministry degrees that are centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world. Within the M.Div. degree program, students can choose concentrations in Biblical Studies and Theology, Christian Education, Ministry Leadership, Missions and World Christianity, Worship Leadership, Spiritual Formation, Sports Ministry, and Youth/Family/Student Ministry. Truett Seminary also offers three Dual Degree programs – a M.Div./MSW and MTS/MSW through a partnership with Baylor’s School of Social Work, a M.Div./Master of Music through a partnership with the Baylor's School of Music, and a M.Div./MBA through a partnership with Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. Visit www.baylor.edu/truett to learn more.