Renowned Biblical Scholar to Talk on Faithful Use of Possessions

INDIANAPOLIS – Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson, renowned New Testament scholar, will give the Third Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture on April 6, 2006 in Indianapolis. Johnson is the R.W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. The lecture is presented by The Lake Family Institute on Faith & Giving, a program of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Johnson will discuss “The Life of Faith and the Faithful Use of Possessions.” The Lake Family Institute on Faith & Giving honors the legacy of Thomas and Marjorie Lake, and encourages and performs work that examines the integral links between faith and giving in diverse religious traditions, and how spiritual values influence philanthropic action.

Before becoming a Biblical scholar, Johnson was a Benedictine Monk and priest, and remains a lay person in the Roman Catholic Community. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at St. Meinrad School of Theology and a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies at Indiana University. Johnson is returning to Indiana to continue the Lake Institute’s tradition of engaging the community in thoughtful discussions about philanthropy and religion.

Johnson earned his Ph.D. at Yale University and taught in the field of New Testament Studies there and at Indiana University before assuming his present position. His book, The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation is widely used in colleges and seminaries.

The lecture will take place at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel on the IUPUI campus, 900 West Michigan Street. A reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. followed by the 5:30 p.m. lecture. Both are free and open to the public, but they require registration by April 5 at www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/Lake_RSVP.html or by calling Lauren Wright, 317-278-8955.

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy and improving its practice through research, teaching, public service and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising and management of nonprofit organizations. A part of the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), the Center operates programs on the IUPUI and IU Bloomington campuses.