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You are here: Home / News / New center to study ancient religious texts
Father Justin, guest lecturer for the opening of the Center for the Study of Ancient Religious Texts.

New center to study ancient religious texts

November 4, 2016 by Lauren Franco

The Center for the Study of Ancient Religious Texts opened Thursday in conjunction with the 30th annual Carmichael-Walling lectures.  

The new center, or CSART, will provide an opportunity for faculty and students to collaborate in cutting edge research of ancient texts. Dr. Jeff Childers, director of the CSART, said the center’s participants have already begun engaging in global partnerships, one of which is with St. Catherine’s monastery. 

On Thursday, Father Justin, a librarian in the monastery of St. Catherine at Mount Sinai, Egypt, delivered three lectures about the treasures of the monastery.

Childers said as part of global research teams, students will learn to study the languages and techniques for understanding ancient texts in addition to developing Christian scholarship. One of those teams includes the Greek New Testament project, in which students contribute in producing a definitive, critical edition of the Greek New Testament.

“We live in a time when people are very interested in going back to the original sources,” Childers said. “We are able to shine a light on some of the most fascinating episodes in Christian tradition.”

The opportunity is open to all students, but Childers said mostly students who are skilled in ancient languages, no matter their major, can be involved in the research. Ancient languages include Ethiopic (ancient Ethiopian), Coptic, Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. Resident Ethiopic expert Dr. Kurt Niccum, professor of Bible, will continue his research of Ethiopic texts, some of which are housed on campus in the Brown Library. 

“We have so many faculty here who have exceptional expertise in ancient languages and texts,” Childers said.

Childers, Carmichael-Walling professor, teaches graduate and undergraduate classes on church history and history of Christian spirituality. He visited Egypt with his daughter for honors research, and said he hopes the CSART will allow more students to travel in the future.

Filed Under: News

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About Lauren Franco

My name is Lauren and I'm the Editor in Chief of the Optimist this year. I'm an avid fan of romantic comedies, the First Amendment and national parks. More than anything, I'm passionate about storytelling via photographs, and love getting to know the heart of people through my lens.

You are here: Home / News / New center to study ancient religious texts

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

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