Exploring Paul's Ethics of Grace: Carmichael-Walling Lectures 2025

Schedule

Thu Oct 16 2025 at 04:00 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Onstead Packard Biblical Studies Building | Abilene, TX

Advertisement
Dr. John M.G. Barclay will speak on the theme, "Exploring Paul's Ethics of Grace"
Lecture 1 (4 pm CST)– Living in the Gift: Charity or Solidarity?
Paul makes clear (not least in 2 Corinthians 8-9) that grace is not just the beginning of Christian existence but its frame, motive, power, and quality. But his theology of gift/grace does not fit our notions of top-down, one-way charity (or philanthropy). We will explore what it means for Paul to give both for and with others, with application to both church policy and international aid.
Lecture 2 (7 pm CST) – Self-Gift, Sacrifice and Fulfillment: Does Love Require Self-Negation?
In modern times, Paul’s theology of love has been made to fit our polarity between altruism and egoism. But both for Christ and for believers, love involves the giving of the self into relation with others, not the giving of the self away. We will explore the paradoxical relation between self-giving and fulfillment, countering some unnecessary and subtly gendered notions of self-sacrifice.
Lectures are free, open to the public and will take place in Room 114 in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building on ACU’s campus in Abilene, Texas. For more information, including how to stream the lectures, contact [email protected].

Dr. BARCLAY joined Durham University as Lightfoot Professor of Divinity in 2003 (retired 2024). His studies in the New Testament led him to specialize in the social history of early Christianity, especially in Pauline churches. His disagreements with N.T. Wright about Paul’s theology and relationship to the Roman Empire are well known. His books include: Pauline Churches and Diaspora Jews (2016); Paul: A Very Brief History (2017); Paul and the Gift (2015); Paul and the Power of Grace (2020). In addition to his research and an illustrious career teaching and supervising many PhD students, he has recently President of SNTS and was honored to be elected as a Fellow of the British Academy (2020). He enjoys his family, cycling, music, and watching rugby.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Onstead Packard Biblical Studies Building, 1850 Teague Blvd, Abilene, TX 79601, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Center for the Study of Ancient Religious Texts

Host or Publisher Center for the Study of Ancient Religious Texts

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Abilene

Imagination Lab: Slime (Main Library)
Wed, 15 Oct at 04:30 pm Imagination Lab: Slime (Main Library)

Abilene Public Library

KIDS
\ud83e\udde1\ud83c\udfa8 3D Printed Pok\u00e9mon Make & Take! \ud83c\udfa8\ud83e\udde1
Wed, 15 Oct at 05:00 pm 🧡🎨 3D Printed Pokémon Make & Take! 🎨🧡

Dyess AFB Hangar Center

POKEMON ART
Take & Make Crafts (South Branch)
Thu, 16 Oct at 10:00 am Take & Make Crafts (South Branch)

4310 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, TX 79606-2700, United States

Cover-to-Cover Book Club (Mockingbird Branch)
Thu, 16 Oct at 06:00 pm Cover-to-Cover Book Club (Mockingbird Branch)

1326 N Mockingbird Ln, Abilene, TX 79603-4708, United States

Tracy Byrd
Thu, 16 Oct at 06:00 pm Tracy Byrd

Paramount Theatre - Abilene

ART THEATRE
Knitting & Crochet Club: Breast Cancer Awareness (Main Library)
Thu, 16 Oct at 06:30 pm Knitting & Crochet Club: Breast Cancer Awareness (Main Library)

Abilene Public Library

NONPROFIT
Beyond Trafficking-Texas Trafficking Task Force Meeting
Fri, 17 Oct at 12:00 pm Beyond Trafficking-Texas Trafficking Task Force Meeting

Lytle Land and Cattle Company

MEETUPS BUSINESS
Spooky Storytime (South Branch)
Fri, 17 Oct at 04:00 pm Spooky Storytime (South Branch)

4310 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, TX 79606-2700, United States

KIDS
John Conlee
Fri, 17 Oct at 06:00 pm John Conlee

Paramount Theatre - Abilene

ART THEATRE

What's Happening Next in Abilene?

Discover Abilene Events