Pentecostal Lectureship Series Dr. James K.A. Smith Headlines Dr. James K.A. Smith is the featured speaker for the second annual Pentecostal Lectureship Series at Northwest University, held Feb. 6-8, 2006. All sessions are open to the public.
At the opening chapel on Monday, Feb. 6, Dr. Smith spoke on the subject “God’s Surprise: Elements of a Pentecostal Worldview.” A faculty forum Monday afternoon will address the topic “Thinking in Tongues: Tuesday evening an evening forum was held to address the topic: “Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism? Azusa Street as Postmodern Revival.” The Lectureship Series concluded with the campus chapel on Wednesday, with Dr. Smith speaking on the topic “Shattering Paradigms, Opening the World: Science and the Spirit.” The purpose of the Northwest University Pentecostal Lectureship Series is to introduce the Northwest University community to some of the most creative thinkers within the Pentecostal movement today and to issues and topics that are important to the continuing vitality of Pentecostalism. A principal aim of the Series is to support and cultivate the distinctive Pentecostal identity of Northwest University. Funding for the annual lectureship has been made possible by a generous grant from the General Council of the Assemblies of God. The inaugural lectures were given last February by Dr. Steve J. Land, who serves as President of the Church of God Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tenn. His addresses centered on the theme "Journey in the Spirit" and were very well received by the University community. The director of the lectureship series is Dr. Blaine Charette, Professor of Biblical Studies at Northwest University, who currently serves as the President of the Society for Pentecostal Studies. Dr. James K. A. Smith, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Seminars in Christian Scholarship Program at Calvin College, has already established himself as a leader among the new generation of Pentecostal scholars. A careful thinker and gifted communicator, Smith is best known for his work on the interface between secular culture and evangelical thought. The author of several books and articles, including the soon-to- be-published Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism?, Dr. Smith is dedicated to the idea that Christian scholarship should be done in the service of the church. This event was sponsored by the School of Ministry at Northwest University. For more information, contact Blaine Charette, Ph.D., Northwest University Professor of Biblical Studies, at blaine.charette@northwestu.edu. |
His theme is “Thinking in Tongues: Elements of a Pentecostal Worldview.” The event will include campus chapels, a faculty forum, and an evening forum.