Dr. John M.G. Barclay will speak on the theme, "Exploring Paul's Ethics of Grace"
Lecture 1 (4 pm CST)– Living in the Gift: Charity or Solidarity?
Paul makes clear (not least in 2 Corinthians 8-9) that grace is not just the beginning of Christian existence but its frame, motive, power, and quality. But his theology of gift/grace does not fit our notions of top-down, one-way charity (or philanthropy). We will explore what it means for Paul to give both for and with others, with application to both church policy and international aid.
Lecture 2 (7 pm CST) – Self-Gift, Sacrifice and Fulfillment: Does Love Require Self-Negation?
In modern times, Paul’s theology of love has been made to fit our polarity between altruism and egoism. But both for Christ and for believers, love involves the giving of the self into relation with others, not the giving of the self away. We will explore the paradoxical relation between self-giving and fulfillment, countering some unnecessary and subtly gendered notions of self-sacrifice.
Lectures are free, open to the public and will take place in Room 114 in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building on ACU’s campus in Abilene, Texas. For more information, including how to stream the lectures, contact
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Dr. BARCLAY joined Durham University as Lightfoot Professor of Divinity in 2003 (retired 2024). His studies in the New Testament led him to specialize in the social history of early Christianity, especially in Pauline churches. His disagreements with N.T. Wright about Paul’s theology and relationship to the Roman Empire are well known. His books include: Pauline Churches and Diaspora Jews (2016); Paul: A Very Brief History (2017); Paul and the Gift (2015); Paul and the Power of Grace (2020). In addition to his research and an illustrious career teaching and supervising many PhD students, he has recently President of SNTS and was honored to be elected as a Fellow of the British Academy (2020). He enjoys his family, cycling, music, and watching rugby.
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