March 25, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert Puckett
Director of Meetings
404-727-1461; rpuckett@aarweb.org
HOSTED BY ATLANTA AREA UNIVERSITIES
John G. Gager, Jr., First Lecturer in the American Lectures in the History of Religions Series in a Decade
Atlanta, GA – For the first time in ten years, the century-old American Lectureship in the History of Religions (ALHR) is undergoing a rebirth in Atlanta, the city of new beginnings.
John G. Gager, Jr., William H. Danforth Professor of Religion, Emeritus, Princeton University, is delivering a week-long lecture series titled “Winners and Losers in the Making of Early Christianity” at Atlanta-area universities during the week of April 1-5. Gager retired from Princeton University in 2006 after a long career as a professor, author and expert in Early Christianity.
Gager is the 2013 American Lecturer in the History of Religions — the first in ten years. The ALHR was established by a grant from the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) in 1891 to encourage path-breaking scholarship through a lecture and book series. The American Academy of Religion (AAR) has administered the series since 1994. The list of ALHR lecturers, beginning in 1893, reads like a “Who’s Who” in the History of Religions.
Following the unexpected death of Willard G. Oxtoby, University of Toronto, the 2003 lecturer, the long-time series languished. AAR is pleased to relaunch the ALHR lectureship with a new structure and a streamlined academic format. Previously, the lecturer visited multiple cities over a nine month period. The new lecture series will occur in over the course of one week in a single North American city.
AAR is kicking off the new ALHR series in its hometown of Atlanta with Gager’s lectures. Agnes Scott College, Georgia State University, Atlanta University Center, and Emory University will be hosting the lecture series the week of April 1-5. Visit the AAR’s web site for more information.
Winners and Losers in the Making of Early Christianity
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A Tale of Two Stories: Winners and Losers in the Making of Early Christianity
Monday, April 1, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Agnes Scott College, Alston Luchsinger Lounge
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Turning the World Upside Down: An Ancient Jewish Life of Jesus
Tuesday, April 2, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Georgia State University, Troy Moore Library, 9th Floor of General Classroom Building
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Was the Apostle Paul the Father of Christian Anti-Judaism?
Wednesday, April 3, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Atlanta University Center, Robert Franklin Auditorium
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The Apostle Paul in Jewish Eyes: Heretic or Hero?
Thursday, April 4, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Emory University, Room 252 Candler School of Theology
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Let’s Meet Downtown in the Synagogue: Jews and Greeks in the Ancient World
Friday, April 5, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Georgia State University Center for Hellenic Studies, Goethe Zentrum in Colony Square
If you would like more information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Gager, please contact Robert Puckett at 404-727-1461 or rpuckett@aarweb.org.
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