Clarence Goodwin Chair of New Testament Language and Literature

Last semester, my department chair discovered that there is an endowed chair at Butler University which has been unfilled for some 60 years, the Clarence Goodwin Chair of New Testament Language and Literature. The chair was last held by its first and (to my knowledge) only occupant, Bruce Kershner. Since then, it has been unfilled – until today, when I received official announcement that I am going to be appointed to this position!

I’m grateful to the late Clarence Goodwin whose generosity created the chair, to Butler University for deciding to “resurrect” it and for appointing me to it, and I am particularly grateful to my department chair, Harry van der Linden, for having emulated king Xerxes and read an “annal” containing information that not everyone would find interesting (or turn to as a sleep aid for that matter) and of course also for nominating me for the position.

There will be an official reception in February – I’ll be sure to announce it with full details provided, once it is scheduled. In the mean time, I understand that I’ll give a public lecture on that occasion, and so I need to decide whether to talk about monotheism and Christology, or the Mandaeans, or religion and science fiction – or about what it is like being a New Testament scholar with so many side interests and a short attention span. But seriously, suggestions on a topic that would be interesting to a general audience are welcome!