Annual lecture considers “Race and the Face of Jesus”

03-01-2010

By Geoff Ashmun

McCormick Theological Seminary continues its tradition of bringing leading African American biblical scholars to the podium on March 15-16, when Dr. Rodney Sadler, Associate Professor of Bible at Union-PSCE, presents “Christ, Color, and Context: Race and the Face of Jesus” at the Annual Black Church History and Heritage Lecture. Sponsored by McCormick’s Center for African American Ministry and Black Church Studies, the two-day event begins with a reception and book-signing at 4 p.m., March 15, followed by the lecture at 4:30 p.m., and a bible study entitled “Rethinking the Household of Christ” the following morning, March 16, at 11 a.m.

A graduate of Howard University’s School of Divinity and Duke University, where he earned his Ph.D., Sadler scholarship and teaching is steeped in New and Old Testament traditions, Biblical languages, the history of religion in ancient Israel and biblical interpretation through the lens of African American experience. Formerly the co-Director of Duke Divinity School’s Office of Black Church Studies, Sadler is the author of Can A Cushite Change His Skin? An Examination of Race, Ethnicity, and Othering in the Hebrew Bible and served as Managing Editor of the African American Devotional Bible.

Sadler has served as an associate minister in Durham, North Carolina, and continues teaching and speaking to the broader community on issues of race and the Bible, images of Jesus, biblical archaeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

For more information on the Black Church History and Heritage Lecture, call 773/947-6310. McCormick’s Center for African American Ministries and Black Church Studies, call Dr. Deborah F. Mullen, Director, at 773/947-6271 or email dmullen@mccormick.edu.