ANNA KING
Assistant News Editor
The Frank Pack Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture welcomed students and faculty back to campus with a presentation by Dr. James D.G. Dunn and his discussion of “Jesus Remembered: The Making of Christianity.” The lecture, the first of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series, ran Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. in Smothers Theatre.
Sunday’s program focused on the theme of “Who Did Jesus Think He Was?” while Monday’s program followed the theme “How Did Jesus Become Christ?”
Both programs were offered as convocation credit for students.
The first program, “Who Did Jesus Think He Was?” took the audience through a basic overview of the function of oral communication throughout the early years of Christianity, especially in reference to Jesus. Included in the program was a discussion of the various designations Jesus and his followers gave to him, including Messiah, Lamb of God, and Son of God, as well as the reasons and significance behind each one.
Dr. Dunn came to Pepperdine from the University of Durham in Durham, England, where he serves the school as the Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity.
A prolific New Testament scholar known around the world for his extensive research and discussions on the subjects of Jesus, the Holy Spirit and St. Paul, his studies have also touched upon the evolution of the historical critical method and the relation between Christianity and Judaism in the first century.
He graduated from the University of Glasgow with master’s degrees in economics and statistics, as well as a bachelor of divinity degree. He continued his studies at Cambridge University and received his doctorate in New Testament studies in 1968.
Dunn has served as a minister, an assistant minister, a chaplain, a professor and lecturer.
As the author of 23 books and co-author of two others, Dunn has extended his studies and knowledge into the world community.
His books include “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” (1970), “Jesus and the Spirit” (1975 and 1997), “Theology of Paul the Apostle” (1998) and “Jesus Remembered” (2003), on which the lecture was based upon. Thirteen books by Dunn are available at the Payson library, including his most recent book, “New Perspective on Jesus: What the Quest for the Historical Jesus Missed” (2005).
Dunn is the 26th speaker since 1981 in the Thomas F. Staley and Frank Pack Distinguished Christian Scholar Lectures, as part of the Dean’s Lecture Series. Held in the beginning of each year, the lecture series has highlighted dozens of renowned scholars in the religious field.
The Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series continues next week with physics professor Dr. Neal Lane and his presentation of “American’s Future in Science and Technology-Some Storm Clouds on the Horizon.” The lecture will be held Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in Smothers Theatre.
01-19-2006