Perkins School of Theology hosts Wesley scholar Richard P. Heitzenrater for symposium and Bridwell Library exhibition

SMU Perkins School of Theology welcomes Richard P. Heitzenrater, an eminent scholar on the works of John Wesley, for a symposium on his works, Friday, May 16, 2014, at 3 p.m. 

Heitzenrater — a faculty member of Perkins School of Theology for 16 years and William Kellon Quick Professor Emeritus of Church History and Wesley Studies at Duke Divinity School — is renowned for his research and writing in the area of Wesleyan studies and early Methodism, and has the distinction of being the person who broke the shorthand code of John Wesley’s diaries.

Richard P. Heitzenrater

Heitzenrater also will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from SMU in recognition of his scholarly achievements and his service to SMU during the University’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, at 9 a.m.

In conjunction with the symposium at Perkins School of Theology, Bridwell Library will host an exhibition honoring the works of Heitzenrater, May 16 through August 22. Heitzenrater has utilized rare books and manuscripts held by Bridwell Library throughout his distinguished career. Pairing works written by Heitzenrater with items from Bridwell Library Special Collections, the exhibition highlights the long-term relationship between researcher and library.

The symposium, “Grace Works: Reflections on Divine Grace, Human Works, and John Wesley – Celebrating the Scholarly Contributions of Richard P. Heitzenrater,” will include remarks by Perkins School of Theology Dean William B. Lawrence and will feature four panelists:

• Ted A. Campbell, associate professor of Church History, Perkins School of Theology, and an ordained United Methodist minister and clergy member of the Texas Annual Conference
• Sharon Grant, adjunct faculty in the Religion and Philosophy Department at University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, and an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Tamara Lewis, instructor in Church History, Perkins School of Theology, and an ordained United Methodist minister and clergy member of the Tennessee Annual Conference
• Andrew C. Thompson, assistant professor of Historical Theology & Wesleyan Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary and an ordained United Methodist minister and clergy member of the Arkansas Annual Conference.

Heitzenrater will bring a response to the panel.

The symposium, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, 5901 Bishop Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205. The exhibition will be held in the Entry Hall of Bridwell Library, 6005 Bishop Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205. For a map of the SMU campus, visit www.smu.edu/maps.

For more information about the symposium, contact Campbell, tedc@smu.edu, 214.768.4885. For more information about the exhibition, contact Brittany Morgan at Bridwell Library, bemorgan@smu.edu, 214.768.3483.

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Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911 at Southern Methodist University, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Church Ministries, and Doctor of Ministry, as well as the Ph.D., which is offered as a cooperative venture by Perkins School of Theology and the Department of Religious Studies in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences at SMU.