Rethinking the Bible: Scripture’s Future at SPU
Wednesday, May 2, 7 p.m.
First Free Methodist Church
3200 Third Avenue West, Seattle
Free and wheelchair accessible
No registration necessary
About the Lecture
Building on last year’s Walls Lecture, which told the story of the Bible’s past at SPU, Professors Daniel Castelo and Rob Wall propose a rethinking of the Bible’s nature and practice as the church’s book for the 21st century. Rather than comparing the Bible with the twofold nature of Christ — i.e., the Bible is a human production of God’s divine word — a different analogy is proposed. The Bible’s nature and its Spirit-inspired witness are like the four “marks” of the church: The Bible also is “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.” Our pivotal affirmation: The Bible is the church’s book, formed by the church in order to reform and form the church after Christ’s likeness. Hear personal reflections on how this rubric may help shape SPU’s Wesleyan identity and the School of Theology’s brand of theological education.
Keynote Speakers
Rob Wall, ThD, Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies
Robert Wall’s books and articles — whether aimed at other scholars or clergy — originate in the ferment of the university classroom and in conversation with his students and colleagues.
In both his published research and classroom teaching, Dr. Wall approaches the Bible as a sacred text — a “production of the Holy Spirit” — and in a manner that forms a clearer understanding of God for the people of God.
Dr. Wall, an elder of the Free Methodist Church, enjoys an active ecumenical ministry of preaching and teaching adult Bible studies in congregations of various faith traditions.
Daniel Castelo, PhD, Professor of Dogmatic and Constructive Theology
Daniel Castelo is a Christian theologian who is currently researching and writing in the areas of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit (pneumatology) and Latino/a studies.
In his academic title, “dogmatics” refers to the formal academic field of Christian teaching and confession, while “constructive theology” has to do with the way this teaching addresses the needs of the present day. Therefore, the title indicates Dr. Castelo’s desire for theology to look both to the past and the present, for only in doing so can it be helpful and hopeful.
Dr. Castelo, also a Free Methodist elder, is a prolific author and enjoys teaching and preaching in local church settings.
Respondent
Doug Strong, PhD, Dean of the School of Theology & Professor of the History of Christianity
About Paul T. Walls
Paul T. Walls spent 31 years on SPU’s Board of Trustees and was known for his integrity and financial acumen. A successful career in real estate cultivated his ability to help manage the growth of Seattle Pacific from a college into a university. So too did his life of strong and active service to the Free Methodist Church at both local and national levels.
Before his death in 1998, Paul and his wife, Vera, established an educational foundation to help students realize a seminary education that provides the intellectual and spiritual leadership to stimulate and strengthen the denomination into the future.