By Joy Grace Webb
Contributing Writer
Douglas Moo, chair of the Committee on Translation for the New International Version of the Bible, will be the featured speaker at Samford University’s Robbins Lectures on April 4. Everyone in the Samford community is welcome to attend the two free events. Convocation credit is offered for both events.
Moo’s first lecture, “Creation and New Creation: From Eschatology to Ethics,” will be held in Reid Chapel at 10 a.m.
“Students can look forward to gaining greater insight into what the Scriptures might teach us in terms of a theology of creation and human responsibility for creation, including some consideration of how science informs a Christian response,” Samford Religion Chair Roy Ciampa said about the first lecture.
The power of these lectures, according to Ciampa, is in how strikingly relevant the Bible’s creation account is to modern ecological narratives.
“All people should be concerned about the welfare of creation. This is especially the case given so many ecological issues confronting us today, from climate change to the alarming levels of pollution in our air and oceans,” he said.
The second lecture, “The Translation Triangle: Reflections from an NIV Translator,” will take place in Brock Forum (Dwight Beeson Hall 131) at 3 p.m. and focus on translation of the Bible.
“From the second lecture they can look forward to gaining a deeper appreciation for whatever Bible translation they might use for their spiritual health and growth,” Ciampa said.
“Anyone wanting a better understanding of how Bible translation works, the challenges Bible translators face today or how to assess Bible translations should be invested in second lecture.”
The Robbins Lectureship also provides opportunity for students to receive convocation credit by attending the lectures. Robbins Lectures were established in 2008 in honor of former professor of Religion at Samford University, Rev. Dr. Ray Frank Robbins, who served as a professor of religion when Samford was called Howard College from 1946-1952. The lectureship focuses on bringing distinguished scholars to Samford to discuss the intersection of scholarship and Christian living.
For more information about the events, contact Sean Flynt at saflynt@samford.edu.
