Expert on historical Jesus to give lecture series

John Dominic Crossan, an internationally-esteemed expert on the historical Jesus, will bring his expertise to Mt. Pleasant on Aug. 18 and 19 as scholar in residence at First Presbyterian Church.

Crossan?s most recent book, ?The Power of Parable,? will shape the focus of three lectures on Saturday. At 2 p.m. he will speak on ?Types of Old Testament Parables? and at 3:30 p.m. on ?The Challenge Parables by Jesus.? The evening lecture, ?The Gospels as Parables about Jesus,? will begin at 7 p.m.

On Aug. 19, Crossan will speak during the 9:45 a.m. worship service. Afterward, he will provide an additional presentation and respond to questions.

The scholar in residence weekend includes an art show opening at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Dr. Crossan will take questions following each lecture from 6 until 6:30 p.m.

A box supper will be served at 5 p.m. with a free will offering taken; call 986-5851 by Aug. 13 to reserve a meal.

At 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, the Sound Appeal handbell choir will present a short program featuring Dr. Jason Edwards, professor of music at Iowa Wesleyan College.

John Dominic Crossan was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1934. He studied in Ireland, the United States, Rome and Jerusalem. After nearly two decades as a member of the Roman Catholic religious order the Servites, he joined the faculty of DePaul University, where he is now professor emeritus in the Department of Religious Studies.

Crossan co-chaired the Jesus Seminar as it debated the historicity of the life of Jesus in the gospels. He has written 25 books on the historical Jesus, early Christianity and the historical Paul. He has lectured around the world and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs. He serves as president of the Society of Biblical Literature.

The public is invited to participate in the scholar in residence weekend at no charge. However, to attend the Saturday lectures, it is necessary to register at www.faithandreason.org.

First Presbyterian Church is located at 902 S. Walnut St. in Mt. Pleasant. The church is air-conditioned and handicap accessible.