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Apocalpytic Visions: Phi Beta Kappa Lecture explores end of time prophecies
RELEASED: March 30, 2006
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DANVILLE, KY—Noted religious scholar Bernard McGinn will present a lecture titled "Joachim of Fiore and Apocalypticism in Western Thought" at Centre College on April 6 as the 2006 Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar. Free and open to the public, the lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Young 101.
"Centre is pleased to welcome Bernard McGinn who's widely regarded as one of the greatest living historians of Christian thought," says Beth Glazier-McDonald, Stodghill Professor of Religion at Centre.
McGinn's lecture will explore prophecy and heritage of Joachim of Fiore, arguably the most influential prophet of the end of times since John. Joachim theorized the dawn a new age, based on his interpretation of verses in the Book of Revelation, in which the hierarchy of the church would be unnecessary and infidels would unite with Christians.
Since much of the effect of Joachim's thought was due to his creation of new symbols for understanding history and its coming end, McGinn's presentation will make use of the illustrated diagrams (figurae) that the abbot created to present his theology of history.
McGinn is the Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor Emeritus of Theology and History of Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he taught from 1969 until 2003. McGinn has published four volumes on the history of Western Christian mysticism, and he is a fellow of the Medieval Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has served as president of the American Society of Church History and of the American Catholic Historical Association.
McGinn's visit to Centre is sponsored by the Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Program. Each year, the program makes nearly 15 distinguished scholars available to visit nearly 100 colleges and universities. The scholars spend two days on campus, meeting informally with students and faculty members, taking part in classroom discussions, and giving a public lecture on campus.
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