Spiritual Theologian/Author Eugene Peterson To Give Parchman Lectures
by Lori Fogleman (254) 710-6275
The theologian and author well known for The Message, his translation of the Bible in the language of today, will present the annual Parchman Endowed Lectures Oct. 18-20 at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
The Rev. Dr. Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology at Regent College, will give three lectures under the theme, "Follow the Leader: Discernments in the Way of Jesus."
Peterson will speak on "Jesus or Herod" on Tuesday, Oct. 18; "Jesus or Caiaphus" on Wednesday, Oct. 19; and "Jesus or Josephus" on Thursday, Oct. 20, with each lecture beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Paul W. Powell Chapel at Truett Seminary. The Parchman Lectures are free and open to the public.
Widely recognized as an authority on spiritual theology, Peterson is the author of 27 books, including The Message paraphrase translation of the Bible, Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work, Run with the Horses, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society, The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction and Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology.
An ordained Presbyterian minister, Peterson also has served churches in Montana, New York and Maryland. He holds degrees from Seattle Pacific University, New York Theological Seminary, Johns Hopkins University and Messiah College, and has taught at New York Theological Seminary, Towson State University, St. Mary's Seminary, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Regent College.
"Truett Seminary exists to train men and women to be Christian ministers who are able to wed heart and head, and it would be difficult to think of a contemporary Christian minister more able than Eugene Peterson in integrating serious academic study and intentional pastoral ministry with genuine spirituality," said Dr. Todd D. Still, associate professor of Christian scriptures at Truett. "His highly and rightly acclaimed The Message, not to mention his other books on various aspects of spiritual theology, serves as a vivid illustration of his accomplished work as a scholar-practitioner."
Peterson also is a much sought after speaker, receiving approximately 300 invitations each year, Still said. His topic for the Parchman Lectures at Baylor is "one of interest for all who would like to contemplate more fully what Christian discipleship entails," Still added.
The Parchman Endowed Lectures bring world-renowned theologians to the Baylor campus and enable Truett Seminary to make a significant contribution to the realm of theological dialogue and the life of the church. The lectures were established in 1999 by Leo and Gloriana Parchman to encourage dynamic discussion on topics related to theological studies.
Past lecturers include Riverside Church (NYC) minister James Forbes Jr.; New Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann, Templeton Prize winner John Polkinghorne, Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey N.T. Wright, theological ethicist Lewis B. Smedes, and preeminent theologian Jürgen Moltmann.
For more information, contact a href="mailto:Todd_Still@baylor.edu">Todd Still at (254) 710-7347 or go to Truett Seminary.