Special to the
Opelika Observer

First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, located at 143 East Thach Ave., will host the 2020 John Haddon Leith Lecture Series on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Brennan Breed, a liturgical author and associate professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary. The public is invited to attend any and all events.
Besides serving as an associate professor, Dr. Breed has been published in numerous articles and book chapters as well as his own book, Nomadic Text: A Theory of Biblical Reception History, and as a coauthor of the Old Testament Library commentary on the book of Daniel with Carol Newsom. Dr. Breed is a graduate of the University of Virginia, Princeton Theological Seminary and Emory University. His primary research focuses on the reception history of the Bible, which traces the divergent uses and understandings of biblical texts from their ancient contexts of production to the present day. During the lecture series he will share his wisdom on living prophetically and the challenges it presents in today’s divided world.
The opening lecture to be held on Feb. 8 is titled “Getting Political, Old Testament Style: Moses’ Covenant in its Ancient Context” and Sunday’s closing lecture is “The Story of the Blessing and the Prophetic Imagination, and Jesus’ Covenant Renewal.” The lectures will be complimented by a Q&A Session on Feb. 9 at 9:45 a.m. in the chapel followed by the 11 a.m. worship service led by Dr. Breed as the guest preacher.
Named for Dr. John Haddon Leith, the Leith Lecture Series is a two-day lecture hosted by FPC Auburn every two years. The series features eminent theologians engaging church and community members in thoughtful discussion and learning.
All Leith Lecture series are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Rev. Kathy Wolf Reed at 334-887-