Joann Lee
Staff Writer
A little more than half a century ago marked the beginning of Pepperdine University’s annual Bible Lecture series.
Modeled after similar programs at Abilene Christian, David Lipscomb, and Harding universities, the Bible Lectures were “committed to pursuing the highest academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith,” according to the Lectureship website. The Lectureship team consists of Patty Atkisson, Kym Dildine, Bill Henegar and Jerry Rushford.
The Bible Lectures grew in popularity after activating in Jan. 1943. Even after experiencing a slight decline in attendance in the 50s, the lectures took on new life with the arrival of two main contributors to the lecture series, M. Norvel Young and J.P. Sanders, in the fall of 1957.
Approximately 63 years later, Pepperdine University will be hosting its 63rd annual Bible Lectures on May 2nd-5th. This year’s theme is “Life Together: The Heart of Love & Fellowship in 1 John.”
“Life Together” will teach that “learning to love others and learning the deepest meaning of fellowship, both with God and with one another” are two crucial needs of living a Christian life. During the Bible Lectures, the simple fact that love and fellowship are needed in the church, marriage, family, workplace, and community will be highly stressed upon.
“Deep down, we all long for more love in our lives,” said Bible Lecture team members. “And we long for a pure fellowship where we accept one another and build up one another in Christ.”
The events during the lectures are bountiful. There will be seven lectures from 1 John. In addition to that, there will be another 255 lectures with a total of 262 lectures over the four day period. The lectures will cover a wide range of topics including textual exploration, missions, family, and church plants.
The Bible Lectures will consist of seven featured speakers consisting of 240 speakers in all. The first speaker on May 2nd will be Tim Spivey from Dallas, Texas. He will speak from 1 John 1:1-10 with a theme titled, “The God Who Fellowships”.
On May 3, Chris Smith from Nashville, Tenn. will speak about “The Christ Who Makes Fellowship Possible” from 1 John 2:1-14.
Later on that same day, Chris Goldman from Rancho Cordova, Calif. will speak about “The Spirit Anointed Fellowship” from 1 John 2:15-28.
On May 4, Phillippe Dauner from Marseilles, France will speak about “The Pure Life Fellowship” from 1 John 3:1-10.
Then that same day at 7 pm, Shon Smith from Tuscaloosa, Ala. will speak with the theme of “Love One Another” from 1 John 3:11-17.
On the final day the Bible Lecture series, Rich Little from Naperville, Illinois will speak about “The Tests for Fellowship” from 1 John 4:1-12.
Finally at 7 p.m. that night, Don McLaughlin from Atlanta Georgia will speak about “Life in the Son” from 1 John 5:1-12.
To facilitate the stay of the 2,900 live-in guests, Pepperdine University is providing meal plans and on-campus housing. Although the housing fee does not seem too pricey, the meal plan seems otherwise.
Meal tickets for breakfast cost $5.50, lunch tickets cost $6.00, and dinner tickets cost $10.50. Although there is the alternate seven-meal plan which includes four breakfasts and three lunches, the amount one can save sums up to solely $2.00.
Fortunately, the cost for housing appears to be better priced at $90 for a week’s stay in the dorms, and $120 for a stay in Towers or the Drescher Apartments.
Parents bringing children do not have to worry about where to leave them because Pepperdine will be providing child care services as well. However, child care service times are limited from 8 a.m. to noon only.
Despite the slightly overpriced meal tickets and the limited time for child care services, no one should expect to leave with anything less than a wonderful blessing during the stay at Pepperdine.
“We have done everything in our power to make [the] stay in Malibu comfortable and enjoyable,” said the Bible Lecture team members. “Our first concern is that [those who attend the lecture series will] become a more useful Christian in God’s service.”
The team members said they hope that the Bible Lectures will be an aid in reminding people of Christ’s love and the fellowship everyone needs to have as Christians. “Perhaps something will be said or done in this series of lectures, or in the classes or the worship opportunities,” said the Bible Lecture team members. “And that will call you back to that time when you were touched so deeply that you gave your life to God.”
07-04-2006