Rev. Peter Gomes coming to Austin

On February 7, Rev. Peter Gomes will be presenting the Harvey Lectures at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. I can't make the 4pm speech, but I'm going to try the 6:30pm one.

Here's the clip from the ETSS page:

The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes, widely regarded as one of America's most distinguished preachers and Christian thinkers, will present the 2005 Harvey Lectures at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest on February 7.

The overall title of his Harvey Lectures is "The Bible -- America's Iconic Book." His 4 p.m. lecture will explore "How Did It Get That Way?" while the concluding 6:30 p.m. talk will focus on "Which Way the Future?" Professor Gomes will also preach at the Monday noon service in Christ Chapel.

Both lectures in Knapp Auditorium are open to the public without charge but persons coming from off the seminary campus are requested to make a free reservation at 512.439.0330.

Gomes notes that Americans have taken the Bible seriously since the landing of the Pilgrims. It is as iconic an American book as Huckleberry Finn or Uncle Tom's Cabin. How did a book written in Hebrew and Greek become "our" book in English, and what happens when we disagree as to what it means and says? Is there such a thing as "Biblical values?" If so, is that good or bad?

I'm definitely interested in what he has to say. On that note - Jim Wallis will be at Bookpeople next Wednesday to speak about his new book - More information.