The E.G. Purcell, Jr. Lecture

Featured Speaker: Dr. Eric M. Vanden Eykel, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Ferrum College Lecture Title: “Jesus and His Afterlives: What Forgotten Gospels Teach Us About Early Christian Diversity” The School of Arts and Humanities at Barton College welcomes Dr. Eric M. Vanden Eykel for a lecture titled “Jesus and His Afterlives: What Forgotten Gospels Teach Us About Early Christian Diversity” as part of the E.G. Purcell, Jr., Bible Conference. In this lecture, Dr. Vanden Eykel will explore lesser-known gospels and early Christian writings that offer insight into the diverse beliefs, practices, and interpretations that shaped Christianity’s formative centuries. By examining these often-overlooked texts, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how early Christians understood Jesus and how competing traditions contributed to the development of the Christian faith. Established in 1984, the E.G. Purcell, Jr., Bible Conference honors Eugene G. Purcell, Jr., who served in Barton College’s Department of Religion and Philosophy from 1957 to 1984. The conference is designed to provide the public with access to the finest in contemporary biblical scholarship and to encourage thoughtful engagement with scripture and religious history. The E.G. Purcell, Jr., Bible Conference is one of six endowed lecture series presented through the Barton Forum, which brings regional, national, and international thought leaders, scholars, artists, and professionals to campus for programs that engage the College and the wider community through conversations in religion, history, literature, business, healthcare, science, and the arts. The event is free and open to the public and will be held in Hardy Alumni Hall.