“There is resurgence of interest in the Reformers,” said Timothy George at the 14th annual Hamrick Lectureship at First Baptist Church, Charleston. The dean of the Beeson Divinity School gave lectures on both Martin Luther and John Calvin Jan. 18 and 19.
Timothy George“Calvin is more interesting, but I had rather have dinner with Martin Luther,” George joked. “These men both make the claim that they did nothing. The Word convicted them,” he continued. “Both were biblical scholars, but Calvin was greatly influenced by Luther’s writings. Calvin was also more interested in the organization and practices of the church.”
He made the point that we should not confuse Calvin and Calvinism. “John Calvin was not a Calvinist. Unfortunately one of the things that has hampered more interest in the Reformers is the tendency of some to become arrogant and exclusionary.”
Glenn Keyes, an architect specializing in historical restoration, gave an illustrated lecture on the preservation of many lowcountry churches, including the restoration of First Baptist Church after Hurricane Hugo. He also talked about the Ten Chapels of Ease which dotted the area.
The one at Pompion Hill has undergone significant restoration. The recent drought caused considerable damage to the foundation. Pompion Hill (the word for pumpkin at the time) was already in use when the Anglican Church was established in Carolina in 1706.
After the program and book signing on Monday, the Joy Club provided a soup and cornbread lunch for all attendees. Molly Marshall, president of Central Baptist Seminary, is the keynote speaker for the lectureship in 2010. Marshall was a student of Timothy George.