When: June 9, 2021, 4:30 pm - Wednesday

Where: Collins Auditorium

Plenary

Session Abstract

One of the touchstones of our tradition is the importance of the Bible. Within churches we read the Bible as Holy Scripture that discloses divine will. Within seminaries and universities, we read the Bible through the lens of biblical studies and evaluate it critically. Does biblical studies as a discipline help or hurt the faith of Christians who read the text as Scripture? The exchanges in this modified debate will model civil discourse on a contended issue, allowing the audience to engage in productive conversation.

The 2021 Malherbe Plenary will feature four speakers: two speaking for the values of biblical scholarship and two describing its liabilities. In a modified debate format, with Greg Sterling serving as moderator, four scholars from two different generations will represent a wide scope of discussion. Richard Hughes and Raymond Carr will address liabilities and Carl Holladay and Amanda Pittman will speak to the benefits of biblical scholarship.

Speakers

Greg Sterling, Yale Divinity School, Yale University, Moderator

• Richard Hughes, Lipscomb University, Participant
• Raymond Carr, Harvard Divinity School, Participant
• Carl Holladay, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Participant
• Amanda Pittman, Abilene Christian University, Participant