Author, New Testament scholar to explore Gnosticism at 'Evening of Theological Conversation' April 21
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April 8, 2009 - The Concordia University Chicago Theology and Foreign Languages Department invites the community to “An Evening of Theological Conversation” April 22, featuring Nicholas Perrin, Ph.D., associate professor of New Testament in the Graduate School of Wheaton College.
Perrin will speak on “The Fault Lines of Early Christian Belief: An Exploration of Gnosticisms Ancient and Modern,” at 7:15 p.m. at the Chapel of Our Lord on the Concordia campus, 7400 Augusta St., River Forest. Admission is free. Free, handicapped-accessible parking is available in the University’s parking structure on Bonnie Brae St.
Formerly senior pastor at International Presbyterian Church in London, Perrin has authored numerous articles and co-edited several books on Gnosticism including “Thomas: The Other Gospel,” “Lost in Transmission: What We Can Know About the Words of Jesus” and the forthcoming “Jesus the Temple.” Gnosticism refers to the doctrines of certain pre-Christian pagan, Jewish, and early Christian sects that believed those who experienced secret knowledge of God and his nature could achieve salvation.
“Both in the academic and the popular venues, it is often claimed that orthodox Christian belief was a latecomer to a very theologically diverse roundtable of ‘Jesus sects’,” Perrin said. “This lecture will explore the alleged historical warrants for this position and then go on to examine variations of Gnosticism within the culture and the contemporary church. How does the early church’s polemic against Gnosticism inform our faith and practice today?”
Gary Bertels, Ph.D, chair of Concordia’s Theology Department, said, “With Gnostic ideas appearing in popular movies and texts, this conversation will be an enlightening exposure to ancient and modern ideas.”
About the Department of Theology and Foreign Languages
The Department of Theology and Foreign Languages at Concordia University Chicago offers programs in German, Hebrew, Greek, Spanish and Latin, as well as options in theology study including a major, minor and concentration. Concordia also offers a masters of arts in religion, for those who work within the church to enhance their theological knowledge and expertise or for all who wish to enrich their understanding of the Bible and Christian theology.
About Concordia University Chicago
Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago is a comprehensive liberal arts-based Christian university in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, Concordia offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success.
Under the leadership of President John F. Johnson, Concordia equips men and women to serve and lead with integrity, creativity, competence and compassion in a diverse, interconnected and increasingly urbanized church and world. More than 4,300 full-time undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Concordia, located 10 miles west of downtown Chicago in River Forest. Learn more at www.cuchicago.edu.
CONTACT:
Kim McCullough, Director of Community and Media Relations
708-209-3122 or kim.mccullough@cuchicago.edu
4/9/2009 11:38:30 AM
