The Significance of Westar@AAR/SBL
Over the past several months, Westar has engaged in a series of negotiations that may make it possible for us to meet with the Society of Biblical Literature and American Academy of Religion on a regular basis. The decision to meet concurrently with the AAR/SBL is important for many reasons. Above all, it provides Westar with a much larger venue for its work and makes it easier for scholars to attend both conferences. But it also has symbolic significance: it closes the scholarly circle for Westar Founder Bob Funk and other Westar Fellows. Before Funk established the Jesus Seminar in 1985, he played a major role in democratizing the SBL and founding the AAR. Bringing Westar together with those learned societies consolidates Funk’s legacy as a moving force in the effort to promote cutting-edge biblical scholarship on issues that matter in the larger culture. Continue reading
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Sponsor a Jesus Seminar on the Road
Have you been wanting to attend a Jesus Seminar on the Road but have never encountered one in your area? Why not sponsor one?
Westar’s popular Jesus Seminars on the Road (JSOR) program forms the core of its public outreach. Every year, teams of Fellows—professors from accredited universities who are skilled at communicating with a general public—visit more than twenty communities across North America. We would like to visit more.
Hear what hosts had to say about their Spring 2014 JSORs:
- The program was outstanding … even better than the fantastic program we had last year.
- The Seminar was the best ever! It truly was remarkable.
Intrigued? We will provide support to guide you through from start to finish.
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May-June Issue of The Fourth R
The May-June issue of The Fourth R includes articles by Michael Hogue, Paul Jones, and Charles Hedrick. You can also find inside an interview with Robin Meyers, author of Saving Jesus from the Church, and a review of Lawrence Wright’s Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief. Want to know more? Read the editorial “Donut Theology” by Art Dewey, and have a look at subscription options.
Westar Appoints New Academic Director
Westar Institute has appointed a new Academic Director. David Galston is a University Chaplain and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. He is the author of two books, Archives and the Event of God (McGill-Queens Press, 2010) and Embracing the Human Jesus (Polebridge Press, 2012). He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, a M.Div. from Vancouver School of Theology, and a Ph.D. from McGill University. As Academic Director David will work cooperatively with Westar seminars, help recruit scholars, participate in conference planning, and assist the development of on-line education.
