An Emory University church historian will discuss the importance of autobiographical writing in her life during a March 11 Vanderbilt Divinity School lecture.
Roberta C. Bondi, professor emeritus of church history, will address “Theology and the Most Intimate Heart” at 3:10 p.m. in the Divinity School’s Art Room (G-20).
Bondi’s talk, which is free and open to the public, is taking place in conjunction with a course taught by Dave Perkins, associate director of the Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture program and a Nashville musician and songwriter. He is also a Vanderbilt alumnus, having earned his master of divinity in 2003 and doctorate in religion in 2011.
“Roberta Bondi will read and discuss selections from her autobiographical writings as well as a yet to be published volume of poetry,” said Perkins, who is teaching “Creativity: A Theological Engagement” this semester. “She will speak to the idea of creative scholarship and recount her personal narrative of finding her place in relationship to Christianity and the academy.”
Bondi’s books include Nick the Cat: Christian Reflections on the Stranger, Houses: A Family Memoir of Grace, and To Pray and To Love: Conversations on Prayer with the Early Church.
Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture assists future religious leaders to understand and harness the creativity of the arts for theological reflection and contemporary worship. Equally, it assists practicing artists within the popular culture industry in their exploration of the theological context and religious dimensions of their work.
For more information, call 615-322-2776.