Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will host the annual Schaff Lectures Wed., March 20, 2013 at the Seminary. Keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Craig R. Koester, professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. These lectures are free and open to the public.

This year’s Schaff Lectures will address the topic “The Apocalypse, Archaeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.” Lectures will be held in the Knox Room and include:

  • “From Patmos to Laodicea: The Crisis of the Ordinary in Revelation 1-3” at 11:30 a.m.
  • “The Beast and Babylon: The Political and Economic World of Revelation 13-18” at 4:30 p.m.
  • “New Jerusalem: God’s City and Ancient Cities in Revelation 21-22” at 7:30 p.m. 

In addition to the lectures, the Seminary will also host a dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Kadel Dining Hall. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Contact the Seminary’s Continuing Education Office at 412-924-1345 or ConEd@pts.edu for more information about the Schaff Lectures. Brochure and online dinner reservation

Koester will also speak at the First Presbyterian Church in Youngstown Tues., March 19 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. For more information, contact the church at 330-744-4307.

Speaker Bio

Koester serves as professor and Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. He earned his degrees from St. Olaf College (B.A.), Luther Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Union Theological Seminary, New York (Ph.D.). He is the author of an extensive list of books, scholarly and professional articles, encyclopedia articles, and study materials for general readership. His recent publications include The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel (Eerdmans, 2008), Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel: Meaning, Mystery, Community (Fortress Press, 2003), Anchor Bible Commentary on Hebrews (Doubleday, 2001), and Revelation and the End of All Things (Eerdmans, 2001). An innovator in the use of technology for teaching, Koester is the principal designer of The Bible Tutor, an easy-to-use method of self-study. Each page summarizes a biblical book, key figure, place, or event. He has also written a book for lay people, A Beginner’s Guide to Reading the Bible (Augsburg, 1991). Additionally, Koester has worked on various video projects covering John, the Gospels, the Apostle Paul, and Revelation. His web-based resources include contributing to Working Preacher, as well as web tours covering Paul’s journeys and the cities of Revelation. Koester has presented at conferences both nationally and internationally. He has received numerous awards including grants for faculty and media development. His Bible Tutor website received commendations from the Los Angeles Times and Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Further, he has been accepted for membership in the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, an international organization for New Testament scholars, has been active in the Society of Biblical Literature and Catholic Biblical Association, and has received an Associated Church Press Award for Biblical Exposition. Koester is an ordained Lutheran pastor and has served churches in New York and Minnesota.

The Schaff Lectures

The Schaff Lectures are named in honor of the late David S. Schaff. For 23 years, Schaff taught church history at Western Theological Seminary on the north side of Pittsburgh, one of the antecedents of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Before becoming a professor in 1903, he held two pastorates. Schaff wrote extensively in the area of church history and co-edited the well-known and often consulted Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia. He completed the unfinished work of his father, Philip, who had begun the History of the Christian Church before his death. The younger Schaff also wrote two books on the life of John Hus.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa., and more than 300 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will host the annual Schaff Lectures Wed., March 20, 2013 at the Seminary. Keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Craig R. Koester, professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. These lectures are free and open to the public.

This year’s Schaff Lectures will address the topic “The Apocalypse, Archaeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.” Lectures will be held in the Knox Room and include:

  • “From Patmos to Laodicea: The Crisis of the Ordinary in Revelation 1-3” at 11:30 a.m.
  • “The Beast and Babylon: The Political and Economic World of Revelation 13-18” at 4:30 p.m.
  • “New Jerusalem: God’s City and Ancient Cities in Revelation 21-22” at 7:30 p.m. 

In addition to the lectures, the Seminary will also host a dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Kadel Dining Hall. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Contact the Seminary’s Continuing Education Office at 412-924-1345 or for more information about the Schaff Lectures. Brochure and online dinner reservation

Koester will also speak at the First Presbyterian Church in Youngstown Tues., March 19 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. For more information, contact the church at 330-744-4307.

Speaker Bio

Koester serves as professor and Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. He earned his degrees from St. Olaf College (B.A.), Luther Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Union Theological Seminary, New York (Ph.D.). He is the author of an extensive list of books, scholarly and professional articles, encyclopedia articles, and study materials for general readership. His recent publications include The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel (Eerdmans, 2008), Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel: Meaning, Mystery, Community (Fortress Press, 2003), Anchor Bible Commentary on Hebrews (Doubleday, 2001), and Revelation and the End of All Things (Eerdmans, 2001). An innovator in the use of technology for teaching, Koester is the principal designer of The Bible Tutor, an easy-to-use method of self-study. Each page summarizes a biblical book, key figure, place, or event. He has also written a book for lay people, A Beginner’s Guide to Reading the Bible (Augsburg, 1991). Additionally, Koester has worked on various video projects covering John, the Gospels, the Apostle Paul, and Revelation. His web-based resources include contributing to Working Preacher, as well as web tours covering Paul’s journeys and the cities of Revelation. Koester has presented at conferences both nationally and internationally. He has received numerous awards including grants for faculty and media development. His Bible Tutor website received commendations from the Los Angeles Times and Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Further, he has been accepted for membership in the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, an international organization for New Testament scholars, has been active in the Society of Biblical Literature and Catholic Biblical Association, and has received an Associated Church Press Award for Biblical Exposition. Koester is an ordained Lutheran pastor and has served churches in New York and Minnesota.

The Schaff Lectures

The Schaff Lectures are named in honor of the late David S. Schaff. For 23 years, Schaff taught church history at Western Theological Seminary on the north side of Pittsburgh, one of the antecedents of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Before becoming a professor in 1903, he held two pastorates. Schaff wrote extensively in the area of church history and co-edited the well-known and often consulted Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia. He completed the unfinished work of his father, Philip, who had begun the History of the Christian Church before his death. The younger Schaff also wrote two books on the life of John Hus.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa., and more than 300 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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