Author and scholar Barbara A. Holmes, of Memphis Theological Seminary, is the speaker for the 2009 Summers Lecture Series at Millsaps College. She will speak at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13 in the college’s Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex Recital Hall.
Holmes will discuss her book, “Race and the Cosmos: An Invitation to View Race in a Completely New Light,” in which she seeks new vistas of understanding in the study of race by juxtaposing it with scientific ideas and language.
Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Academic Complex Recital Hall Lobby. Proceeding the lecture, faculty and clergy members will give perspectives on theology and cosmology at 10 a.m. in Room 215 of the Academic Complex. Lunch and responses to Holmes’ lecture will take place at 12:45 p.m. in the Leggett Center. Lunch is $10 or you may bring you own. Holmes will speak to clergy members from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. on “Race, Cosmology and the Practice of Ministry” in Room A of the Leggett Center.
Holmes’ work proposes that liberation will not be found in utopian theological models, legal mandates or social engineering projects. If the dialogue about race, identity and the moral life is to be taken to a new level, it will need a language that includes clues about a complex universe that is wondrous and rife with uncertainty.
A scholar, teacher and lawyer, Holmes also serves as vice president for academic affairs and dean as well as professor of ethics and African American religious studies at Memphis Theological Seminary. She is the author of books such as “A Private Woman in Public Spaces: Barbara Jordan’s Speeches on Ethics,” “Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (Fortress),” “Race and the Cosmos (Trinity)” and “Liberation and the Cosmos: Conversations with the Elders (Fortress).”
The 10:00 introductory session in AC 215 features Steve Smith (Religious Studies) and Shadow Robinson (Physics) discussing the ground rules for establishing world order in their disciplines.
All events are free. You can reserve a lunch in the 12:45 – 2:00 discussion session in the Leggett following the Lecture (e-mail wheatbc@millsaps.edu), but you can also bring your own lunch or just hang out.
Persons may participate in as many of the activities as their schedules allow. Attendance at all activities is required to receive ½ CEU credit. For more information, contact the Religious Studies Department at 601-974-1334 or e-mail Steve Smith at smithsg@millsaps.edu.
