(How) Does the Bible Even Exist?

Dr. Joseph K. Gordon, professor of Theology at Johnson University will deliver the 2022 Fall Lonergan Lecture, “(How) Does the Bible Even Exist: A Theology of Scripture.” Seton Hall professors, Dr. Jeffrey Morrow and Dr. Gregory Glazov will offer responses to Dr. Gordon’s lecture.

With so many translations and versions of Holy Scripture at our fingertips in the 21st century, it is possible, even easy, to take the existence of the Bible for granted. Yet, possessing and accessing the bible are one thing, while understanding and engaging it faithfully and responsibly are quite different matters. After an initial discussion of our contemporary situation, Dr. Gordon will suggest one possible approach to these challenges by offering a systematic account of how Scripture exists. To do so Dr. Gordon will locate Scripture in three key contexts: the faith and praxis of early Christians, the work of God in history, and the histories of human culture. He will detail the material history of Scripture and explain what it might mean to affirm that the Bible is inspired, the Word of God written, and useful for God’s work in history.