NASHVILLE, Tenn. ñ The presentation of a new book offering book-by-book commentaries on the Bible by scholars from around the world will be a highlight of activities sponsored by Vanderbilt Divinity School as part of university homecoming.
A Global Bible Commentary will be discussed by general editor Daniel Patte from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Divinity School refectory. Registration is required to attend, and there will be a $10 charge. To register, call 615-343-3994 or go to www.vanderbilt.edu/divinity on the Web.
A Global Bible Commentary, published by Abingdon Press in October, was designed to reflect that nearly two-thirds of Bible readers are Christians in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. Commentators were sought who represented the real-world balance of Bible readers, and the hope is that the commentaries will help point out "blind spots" in interpretations of scripture ñ aspects of the text that many may be missing.
"First, each of the contributions involves a gentle call to stop and listen," writes Patte, professor of religious studies and New Testament and early Christianity at Vanderbilt, in the introduction to the book. "When we listen, we hear voices that we are not used to hearing, those of biblical readers who in each context have long been silenced.
"These voices are soft, yet firm, and indeed most powerful and troubling, because they articulate teachings, issues and questions that the biblical text raises for its readers but that, on our own, we could not or would not hear."
Other events sponsored by Vanderbilt Divinity School during university homecoming:
* The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in The Memorial Church at Harvard University, will deliver the annual Cole Lectures at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, and 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5. He will speak on "The Bible: The Development of an American Book," and "The Bible: Beyond the Culture to the Gospel." Both lectures at Benton Chapel on the Vanderbilt campus are free and open to the public.
* Brad Braxton, associate professor of homiletics and New Testament, will lead a forum for ministers titled "Preaching Paul: An Ancient Apostle and the Contemporary Pulpit." Drawing on research for his forthcoming book Preaching Paul (Abingdon Press), Braxton will explore aspects of Paul’s religious and social contexts and advocate for a renewed homiletic interest in Paul’s letters. The forum at All Faith Chapel on the Vanderbilt campus from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 4, is free and open to the public. Registration is required by phone (615-322-4205), fax (615-322-4490) or email (kitty.a.norton@vanderbilt.edu).
* Dale P. Andrews, Frank H. Caldwell Associate Professor of Homiletics at Louisville Theological Seminary, will lead a forum for ministers titled "Practical Theology for Pastoral Ministry." Caldwell was formerly a teaching fellow at Vanderbilt. The forum from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at All Faith Chapel on the Vanderbilt campus on Thursday, Nov. 4, is free and open to the public. Registration is required by phone (615-322-4205), fax (615-322-4490) or email (kitty.a.norton@vanderbilt.edu).
Vanderbilt University Reunion/Homecoming will bring alumni to campus for reunions, a Vanderbilt football game against Florida, lectures and more. For more information, call 615-322-2929 or visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/alumni/homecoming.htm on the Web.
Media contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
Jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu