Carmichael-Walling Lectures & Inaugural Events

Abilene Christian University’s Center for the Study of Ancient Religious Texts launched November 2-3 in a series of events on the university campus that included the 30th annual Carmichael-Walling Lectures on New Testament and Early Christianity.

Father Justin gave the Carmichael-Walling Lectures as part of an inaugural celebration featuring special events, distinguished speakers, and an opportunity to see rare book and manuscript treasures. Father Justin is librarian in the venerable monastery of St. Catharine’s at Mt. Sinai in Egypt. One of the world’s foremost experts on ancient Christian manuscripts, he gave lectures focusing on biblical discoveries, John Climacus’ Ladder of Divine Ascent, eastern Christian art, and the imagery of Sinai in scripture as seen from the perspective of someone who resides at Sinai:

• Illustrating the Ladder of Divine Ascent: An Illuminated Manuscript of a Spiritual Classic (Sinai Greek 418)
• Newly Recovered Manuscripts of the Scriptures from Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai
• ‘For Moses Wrote of Me;’ Reflections From Mount Sinai

CSART Student Scholars and Faculty Fellows enjoyed dinner with Father Justin, during which the conversation focused on such things as Christian-Muslim relations in the Middle East.

Dr. Mark Hamilton, the Robert and Kay Onstead Professor of Old Testament in ACU’s Graduate School of Theology, delivered the CSART inaugural lecture, entitled “Who’s Afraid of Ancient Texts? Rediscovering Old Words for a New Era.” ACU students Ryne Parrish and Daniel Marolf reported on their research in Greek patristic citations, the Ethiopic version of the Bible, and editing the Syriac spiritual author, John of Apamea.

Dr. Curt Niccum, Professor of New Testament in ACU’s Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry  introduced CSART to ACU faculty. His presentation, “Burning Bushes; Building Bridges: Mt. Sinai and ACU,” clarified the importance of St. Catharine’s Monastery and highlighting the emerging partnerships between CSART, the Monastery, and the Museum of the Bible.

CSART’s inaugural events culminated in a reception. In collaboration with the Museum of the Bible and the Special Collections and Archives of ACU’s Brown Library, a select number of rare books and ancient manuscripts were on display. These included a Greek Bodmer papyrus manuscript of the Psalms, the famous palimpsest manuscript, Codex Climaci Rescriptus, a Greek 11th-century Greek Psalter, and an Ethiopic Psalter.