Author and theologian Marcus Borg, nationally known for his scholarship on the Bible and Jesus, will be speaking at Sylvania United Church of Christ Friday (Sept. 21) from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and give a series of lectures Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Borg has a doctorate from Oxford University, he was an active member of the Jesus Seminar when it focused on the historical Jesus, and has been chair of the Historical Jesus section of the Society of Biblical Literature.
The Canon Theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Ore., Borg held the Hundere Chair of Religion and Culture in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University until his retirement in 2007.
He has written 20 books, including the best-sellers “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time” (1994) and “Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary” (2006).
His Friday evening lecture is titled “Reclaiming Christian Language.” On Saturday, the lectures are as follows:
9 a.m.: “Mysticism and the Christian Life.”
11 a.m.: “Mysticism in the Bible: Empowerment and Resistance.”
2 p.m.: “Mysticism, Empowerment and Resistance Today.”
Borg’s visit is part of Sylvania UCC’s “Scientists in Congregations Program,” funded with a grant from the Templeton Foundation calling for sustained, creative collaboration among scientists, science educators and pastors.
Upcoming talks in the series are set for Oct. 7 with Karl Giberson, physicist and author, and Nov. 19 with Rev. Robert J. Russell, physicist and minister.
“Our topics have brought us from the origins of the universe to how the human species came to be,” said Rev. Luke Lindon, associate pastor at Sylvania UCC. “We’re looking forward to having Marcus Borg start to knit all of these ideas together.”
Any proceeds from the series will be donated to the William H. Chidester Memorial Lectureship, which is dedicated to providing similar programming in the future.
The cost for admission is $15 on Friday, $45 on Saturday, or $50 for the weekend. For information, call Sylvania United Church of Christ, 419-882-0048, or visit the church’s website.
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