Three public talks by Harvard scholar to offer ‘fresh approach’ to Apostle Paul’s theology at University of South Carolina March 26 – 27
March 17, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – March 17, 2009 – New Testament scholar Dr. Helmut Koester of Harvard University will give a series of talks on the Apostle Paul’s theology March 26 – 27 for the University of South Carolina’s annual Nadine Beacham and Charlton F. Hall Sr. Lectureship in New Testament Studies and Early Christianity.
In its 14th year, the lectureship this year features three talks, built around the theme, “A Fresh Approach to Paul’s Theology,” all of which are free and open to the public. Koester, John H. Morison Research Professor of Divinity and Winn Research Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Harvard Divinity School, has written and edited 11 books, including “History and Literature of Early Chritianity,” “Trajectories Through Early Christianity,” “Paul and His World” and “Ancient Christian Gospels.”
Koester’s primary public talk, titled “Problems in the Building of the Community in Thessalonica, Galatia, Philippi and Corinth,” is set for 8 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in the university’s Russell House ballroom.
“In his effort of building and ordering communities, Paul encountered numerous problems, some internal and others created by rivaling missionary activities,” said Koester. “I will explore several of Paul’s letters in order to understand the major issues discussed in these controversies.”
Earlier Thursday, Koester will address clergy from all faiths at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. The 10 a.m. talk, titled “Individual Piety or Community of the New Ages,” will challenge the view that Paul’s missionary effort wanted to establish pious and moral individuals. Koester contends Paul’s aim was rather to create a new people in communities founded on justice and equity.
Koester’s concluding talk will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Stavros Lecture Hall at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Titled “Paul’s Missionary Organization and Strategy and His Testament Sage,” the talk will focus on the people who helped make Paul’s work and writings possible.
“Paul did not accomplish his work as a lonely missionary and preacher but worked with a staff of coworkers, messengers and scribes,” said Koester. “Together, we’ll explore what these coworkers contributed and how much material resources were needed.”
Many of Koester’s books will be for sale at the lecture sites and the University Bookstore during those two days.
Koester earned his doctorate in theology from the University of Marburg, where he studied under the widely acclaimed New Testament theologian, Dr. Rudolf Bultmann. At Harvard, Koester oversees the Harvard project, “Archaeological Resources for the Study of the New Testament,” which has been published by Fortress Press in CD-ROM format as “Cities of Paul: Images and Interpretations from the Harvard New Testament Archaeology Project.”
A member of the prestigious Studiorum Novi Testament Societas, Koester is past president of the Society of Biblical Literature and is chairman of the New Testament Board of the Hermenia commentary series.
The Nadine Beacham and Charlton F. Hall Sr. Lectureship in New Testament Studies and Early Christianity is sponsored by the department of religious studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. The lectureship was established by Columbia businessman Charlton F. Hall Jr. in memory of his father, Charlton F. Hall Sr., and his mother, Nadine Beacham Hall.
For more information on Koester and the 2009 Nadine Beacham and Charlton F. Hall Sr. Lectureship in New Testament Studies and Early Christianity, call the department of religious studies at 803-777-4100. Visit the Web site – www.cas.sc.edu/relg/ – for more information on this and the department’s other events.
