Douglas A. Foster Shares Faith Journey and the History of Alexander Campbell at William M. Green Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture

On September 30, the Pepperdine Libraries' Rushford Center for Research on the Churches of Christ welcomed Douglas A. Foster, professor emeritus of theology at Abilene Christian University, as the speaker for the forty-sixth annual William M. Green Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture. Foster has authored numerous publications examining the history of the Stone-Campbell Movement, including The Story of Churches of Christ and, most recently, A Life of Alexander Campbell (published in 2020). 

The event began with a lunch buffet. Lucy Perrin, director and archivist for the Rushford Center and the Churches of Christ Heritage Collection, offered a welcome prayer and remarks before inviting Foster to the podium to share his faith journey. As he described how he ended up at Abilene Christian University from his native Nashville, Foster touched upon the importance of grace and how his mentors helped him along his path.

After lunch and a short break, Dyron B. Daughrity, the divisional dean for the Religion and Philosophy Division and the William S. Banowsky chair in religion, gave the formal introduction for Foster's featured talk, "The Brilliance and Betrayal of Alexander Campbell's Biblical Method." Daughrity expressed his admiration for his former professor, and in a touching moment, the two hugged as Daughrity welcomed Foster back to the podium. During his talk, Foster explained Campbell’s seven rules for understanding and applying Scripture to one's life—and how these rules informed Campbell’s own beliefs.

“The William M. Green Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture embodies Pepperdine’s commitment to the integration of faith and learning, bringing distinguished Christian thinkers into conversation with our community on matters of enduring significance. Doug Foster's lecture brought about thoughtful engagement between Christian faith and scholarship,” said Mark Roosa, dean of Libraries.