BROWNWOOD – January 29, 2014 – Howard Payne University will hold the seventh annual Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics next month with Dr. Beth Newman of the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond addressing the issue of “Work and Rest: Vice, Virtues and Christian Practices.” The public is invited to attend the lectures at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, and 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21.
Thursday evening’s lecture is titled “Sloth is Hard Work.” On Friday morning, Dr. Newman will discuss “Rest and Re-creation: The Lord’s Supper as Divine Plenitude.”
“We’re looking forward to Dr. Newman’s lectures as she addresses these important issues for Christians in today’s society,” said Dr. Donnie Auvenshine, professor of Christian studies and dean of HPU’s School of Christian Studies. “These lectures are designed to be interesting and thought-provoking for anyone interested in Christian theology. You do not have to be a student or a minister to benefit from attending.”
Dr. Newman is the Eula Mae and John Baugh Professor of Theology and Ethics at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University, a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Duke University.
Dr. Newman joined the faculty of BTSR in 2002 after serving on the faculty at Saint Mary’s College, in Notre Dame, Ind., for 12 years. She is the author of Untamed Hospitality: Welcoming God and Other Strangers (Brazos Press, 2007) and Attending the Wounds on Christ’s Body: Teresa’s Scriptural Vision (Cascade Books, 2012). She currently serves on the Baptist World Alliance Commission on Doctrine and Christian Unity and has participated in Baptist World Alliance Conversations with the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. She is on the editorial board of Studies in Baptist History and Thought and has helped plan and lead the Young Scholars in the Baptist Academy. She was named a Henry Luce III Fellow in Theology for 2009. Her husband, Jon Baker, is a United Methodist pastor and they have a daughter, Jessica (16), and a son, Jacob (13).
The Currie-Strickland lecture series is made possible through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Gary Elliston and was established to honor the life of Dr. David R. Currie, retired executive director of Texas Baptists Committed, and the memory of Phil Strickland, who dedicated nearly 40 years of ministry to the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Christian Life Commission.
Both lectures will take place in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of the university’s Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center. Attendees may RSVP online at www.hputx.edu/currie-strickland, by phone at (325) 649-8403 or by e-mail at currie-strickland@hputx.edu.
###
Photo cutline: Dr. Beth Newman is the guest lecturer for Howard Payne University’s seventh annual Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics to be held Feb. 20 and 21.