Bard's Institute of Advanced Theology Presents Follow-Up Session on May 20 to the Golden Rule Conference
Neusner Also Recounts His Recent Meeting with the Pope in Washington, D.C.
ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—The Institute of Advanced of Advanced Theology (IAT) at Bard College presents a follow-up session to the 2008 conference, “The Golden Rule in the Religions of the World,” on Tuesday, May 20. Free and open to the public, the discussion begins at 1:00 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Bertelsmann Campus Center.
“Please join Jacob Neusner and myself with our students for the final class of the course on the Golden Rule,” invites Bruce Chilton, executive director of the Institute, Bernard Iddings Bell Professor of Philosophy and Religion, and Chaplain of the College at Bard. “Students will present papers that respond to our recent conference, and Professor Neusner will discuss his contact with Pope Benedict during the papal visit to the United States, as time allows.”
During the April conference the students of the course—Patrick Bova, John Burrowes, Valerie Ellithorpe, Anna Henschel, Jerusha Kellerhouse, Jeanne Ladd, Elizabeth Plum, Benjamin Raker, Winter Schneider, Andrew Simon, Andrew Staby, Sydney Thomashow, and William Wylie—served as chairs for each presentation by the international scholars in attendance. During this program, they will present the results of their research to the public.
In addition, Jacob Neusner, Distinguished Service Professor in the History and Theology of Judaism at Bard, will recount his recent meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Washington, D.C. Up till that time, Neusner and the Pope had not met in person; however, Professor Neusner does have the distinction of being, “after the Gospel writers and the apostle Paul, the author most quoted in Pope Benedict XVI’s book Jesus of Nazareth” (Catholic News Service). Neusner has said that during their April meeting, “The pope thanked me for my work. His English is excellent but was an effort, and when I told him he could talk to me in Italian, he had a big smile and looked relieved and relaxed. I proposed to him that we write a book together on the convergences of Judaism and Christianity in antiquity.”
All are welcome to attend. The multipurpose room will open at noon and people may bring their own lunch or purchase one at the Down the Road Café, preceding the program at 1:00 p.m.
For additional information, call the Institute office at 845-758-7279, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.bard.edu/iat.
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(5/2/08)
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2008 IAT Conference: The Golden Rule in the Religions of the World (L to R) Bard student Benjamin Raker and Professors Jacob Neusner and Bruce Chilton Photo: Fred Cartier, The Services |
2008 IAT Conference: The Golden Rule in the Religions of the World Audience members at Bard College Photo: Fred Cartier, The Services |
(L to R) Pope Benedict XVI greeting Suzanne and Jacob Neusner in Washington, D.C. on April 17, 2008 |