ECU hosts Jarvis Lecture

A biblical archeologist will be the speaker for the 16th annual Jarvis Lecture on Christianity and Culture, 7:30 p.m. March 31 at the Harvey Banquet Hall at ECU’s Murphy Center.

William G. Dever will present “Did God Have a Wife?: Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel.”

“We are extremely pleased to bring Dr. Dever to our campus,” said Calvin Mercer, co-director of the ECU Religious Studies Program.

“He has exceptional credentials as an archeologist and is a major player in the debate about the historicity of the biblical narratives. I expect him to present a provocative thesis and do it with the same kind of thoughtful analysis of the archeological and biblical evidence that has characterized his long career.”

Dever will propose that the goddess Asherah was the consort of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Through his review of the evidence, he will illuminate the multi-faceted role of religion and cult in the everyday lives of the ancient Israelites.

The free lecture is sponsored by the East Carolina Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Religious Studies Program and supported by a contribution from the Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church. Next year the Jarvis Lecture will be included in the Harriot College Voyages of Discovery series.

Free parking is available adjacent to the Murphy Center. Contact Mercer at mercerc@ecu.edu or visit www.ecu.edu/religionprogram.