The Latin phrase homo unius libri (a “person of one book”) is first attributed to Thomas Aquinas, among others, but it is most closely associated, at least for Methodists, with John Wesley. Of course, Wesley himself was exceptionally well read, including in areas such as medicine, travel, biography and poetry. Nevertheless, the Bible held a unique and primary place in his thinking. The same is true for us at Perkins. That is not to say that studying the Bible [...]
By Dean Craig C. Hill How should we think about the Bible? Our answer to that question is foundational to a great many other questions and so is deserving of serious attention. During my freshman year of high school, the evangelist Leighton Ford conducted a crusade at our local armory, one result of which was the founding of a Christian coffeehouse called The Lighter Side of Darkness. “Lighter Side” was a perfect early-70s period piece, complete with purple walls, [...]
Each of us brings our own story to the reading of the Bible. Perkins students are no different. They come to Perkins from a range of backgrounds, as Bible newbies or longtime students of Scripture. Most evolve in their views of the Bible during their theology studies. We invited several students to reflect on their journeys with the Bible at Perkins; here are their stories. Sarah Bilaye-Benibo Master of Sacred Music student Pentecostal St. Louis, Missouri Coming from a [...]
As you read this issue of Perspective, and if you resonate with the kind of education offered at Perkins School of Theology, please join us in making Perkins more affordable for students. We want to make a Perkins education within reach of every qualified student who applies. God continues to call women and men to ministry in a multiplicity of forms. As our partners, who care about trained clergy and laity, please remember that you can help in a [...]
Consider the daunting task facing teachers of the Bible: helping modern students understand how an ancient text speaks to the world today. Perkins students come from a range of Christian backgrounds. Some of them are fundamentalists, others are agnostic and many are somewhere in the middle. They enter Perkins from the wider world, where some dismiss the Bible as entirely irrelevant and others insist each word must be honored as literal truth. We asked Perkins’ Bible scholars to reflect [...]
R. ARVID NELSEN Rare Books & Manuscripts Librarian Bridwell Library Perkins School of Theology *View the magazine spread with images here. On a sunny summer afternoon in 2016, I escorted a patron into the Special Collections Reading Room to see a fragment of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. This fragment of ancient Greek text, written by hand on papyrus, was encapsulated in glass and lying on a gray foam support. It dated from the 6th century A.D. and had [...]
As Professor of New Testament, Jaime Clark-Soles’ focus is academic: researching, writing and teaching graduate-level students at Perkins. But she ventures often beyond the seminary to help laypeople cultivate deeper understanding of the Bible, through lectures in churches, at retreats and on study trips. “I’m out speaking, teaching and preaching to anybody and everybody who’s interested,” said Clark-Soles, Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor and Director of the Baptist House of Studies. “Have Bible, will travel.” Like many Perkins faculty who [...]
Perkins School of Theology announced Mary White as the recipient of the 2020 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, White will be recognized next year at an award ceremony during the Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning, March 18-20, 2021. The Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award is presented annually to a layperson in the United States who embodies the Christian faith and commitment of service to Christ in the church, community and world as exemplified [...]
The Rev. Katherine Glaze Lyle (M. Div. ’93) was chosen as the 2019 recipient of the Perkins Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The prestigious award was presented at a banquet on November 12, 2019 at Perkins. Selected by the Perkins Alumni/ae Council, the award recognizes Perkins graduates who have demonstrated effectiveness and integrity in service to the church, continuing support for the goals of Perkins and Southern Methodist University, outstanding service to the community, and exemplary character. “Katherine’s extensive ties to [...]
Leaders explored innovative ministry approaches Representatives of 16 diverse congregations gathered on the Perkins campus in January for a six-month check-in for Reboot, a program of Perkins School of Theology. The initiative aims to develop an innovative approach to youth ministry through mentors, training retreats, leadership classes and financial support. The congregations, all part of Reboot’s Starter Cohort, received training on how to submit proposals for projects; up to 12 will be selected in May to receive funding. “Our [...]
