Jesus, Criteria, and the Demise of Authenticity: Conference Announcement

Anthony LeDonne asked that I pass along word of this conference– so I am.

Speakers:  Dale C. Allison Jr. — (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary), Mark Goodacre — (Duke University), Chris Keith — (Lincoln Christian University), Anthony Le Donne — (Lincoln Christian University), Loren T. Stuckenbruck, — (Princeton Theological Seminary), Jens Schroeter — (Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin), Dagmar Winter — (Newcastle Diocese, UK), Rafael Rodríguez — (Johnson University)

Sponsors: United Theological Seminary and University of Dayton

Times:  Thursday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m.- 5 p.m.  Friday, Oct. 5m 8:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Place: South Park United Methodist Church, 140 Stonemill Rd., Dayton, OH 45409

Furthermore

Cost: $70 registration fee; Lunch $10. Contact: Robbie Collins. rcollins@united.edu | 938.529.2201.  United Theological Seminary and The University of Dayton (Dayton, OH) are co-hosting a two-day conference to critique the assumptions and methods of the so called “Third Quest of the Historical Jesus” on October 4 and 5, 2012. The conference will be held at Southpark United Methodist Church, 140 Stonemill Road, Dayton, OH 45409.

So there you have it.

When Ideology and Indoctrination are More Important Than Education: The Bizarre Firing of Anthony Le Donne

When ideology and indoctrination are more important than education, it’s the best and the brightest and usually the most faithful who suffer the consequences, as is certainly the case in the bizarre firing of Anthony Le Donne, who was, for no really good reason, let go from his ‘Christian school’ merely because of a little book he wrote. A book, by the way, which is both excellent and informative.

Anthony writes (and I reduplicate it here with his permission) –

I am writing with disappointing news. After over a year of pressure from Lincoln Christian University donors, concerned citizens, and certain employees, the president of the university has decided to terminate my employment. I have been told that this decision is in direct response to the publication of my popular-level book, Historical Jesus (Eerdmans, 2011). I have no doubt that the LCU administration made a staunch effort on my behalf, but eventually needed to assuage the fears of (what I am told) is a largely anti-intellectual constituency.

Many of you have emailed with sympathies. Thank you for your concern. I can honestly say that I am quite well. I hold no animosity toward the administration of LCU and I am grateful for the opportunity to have met so many kindred spirits here in central Illinois. My deepest feeling at this point is concern for the colleagues I leave behind at LCU. The phrases “scapegoat”, “akademische Freiheit,” and “the state of evangelical higher education” have been frequent refrains in the many supportive emails I’ve received in the last week. I feel no need to make any statements at this point about these topics. I will only say that I remain proud of my work and stand behind it.

anthony le donne

—
Anthony Le Donne, PhD
http://www.anthonyledonne.com

My sincere hope is that Anthony finds an employer who rightly values his present contributions to the field of biblical studies and will allow him the freedom to pursue further studies which, like his previous ones, perform a very valuable service not only to the academy, but also to the Church.