Influential Theologian To Speak On 'Open Theism' March 26 at Truett Seminary

Media contact: Lori Fogleman, director of media communications, (254) 710-6275
Dr. John E. Sanders, a creative and influential evangelical theologian who is known for working out the idea of "open theism," will give the annual Willson-Addis Endowed Lecture in Practical Christianity at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, in the Paul W. Powell Chapel at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

Open theism is described as a foundational theology that deals with human free will and its relationship to God and the nature of the future. Sanders' lecture, which is free and open to the public, will focus on that particular theological position.

Sanders is the author of the well-known books No Other Name: An Investigation into the Destiny of the Unevangelized, The Openness of God and The God Who Risks. He currently serves as Visiting Professor of Religion at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. He has served on the faculty at Oak Hills Christian College in Minnesota, the University of Notre Dame and Huntington University in Indiana.

Sanders earned his bachelor's degree from Trinity College in 1979, a master's from Wartburg Theological Seminary in 1987, and his doctorate in theology from the University of South Africa in 1996.

Created in 1964 by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. James McCorry Willson of Floydada, Texas, the Willson-Addis Endowed Lecture examines practical Christianity and draws from any branch of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Willsons were active Methodist laypersons, involved in many areas of denominational, educational and social service. The lectures were named in honor of the couple's daughter, Ora Eugenia Willson Addis. Since 1997, Truett Seminary, with its curricular emphases on practical Christianity, has sponsored the annual lecture.

For more information, call (254) 710-3755 or (800) BAYLOR-U, option 5, or visit www.baylor.edu/truett.

Past presenters of the Willson-Addis Lectures at Truett Seminary have been Thomas Oden in 1996-1997, Dallas Willard in 1997-1998, Diana Garland in 1998-1999, Robin Lovin in 1999-2000, Ronald Sider in 2000-2001, Stanley J. Grenz in 2001-2002, Richard Hays in 2002-2003, Ellen T. Charry in 2003-2004, Glen Harold Stassen in 2004-2005, David Bebbington in 2005-2006 and Dr. James D.G. Dunn in 2006-2007.