NASHVILLE, Tenn. ñ The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, author of bestselling
books about faith and widely regarded as one of America’s most
distinguished preachers, will deliver the 2004 Cole Lectures at
Vanderbilt University on Nov. 4 and 5.
The annual Cole Lectures were established in 1893 by Col. E.W. Cole
for "the defense and advocacy of the Christian religion." Speakers in
the series have included Paul Tillich, George Buttrick and Don
Beisswenger.
Gomes will speak on "The Bible: The Development of an American Book"
at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. At 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5, he’ll lecture on
"The Bible: Beyond the Culture to the Gospel."
The first lecture will examine how the Christian Bible became an
icon of American society and to what degree it has sustained what he
calls a "Bible Commonwealth." The second talk will look at whether
there are inherent contradictions between the Bible and the Gospel, and
the Gospel and American culture, and the consequences of any such
contradictions.
Gomes is Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in
The Memorial Church at Harvard University. His books include The Good
Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart. He has been interviewed on
60 Minutes and profiled in The New Yorker.
The Cole lectures are held at Benton Chapel and are free and open to the public.
Media contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
Jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu