Speaker Bio
Dr. David Wilhite serves as Professor of Historical Theology at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary. He is also the interim Pastor at First Baptist Church of Valley Mills Texas. He has written four books, over 30 articles and essays, and he has helped edit numerous research projects. His primary work has been in ancient African Christianity and more generally in the development of early Christian theology. He is currently co-authoring a three volume work on early Christology, focusing on how the early Christians understood Jesus’ pre-existence and how he was the one appearing in the scriptures as “LORD.” In addition to spending time with his family and anything involving the outdoors, Dr. Wilhite is currently learning to play the blues on his guitar autographed by Waylon Jennings.
Tentative Schedule
Thursday
6:30pm
Registration – Academic Building Lobby
7:00pm
Oden Lecture #1 – YHWH Christology & History: After Modern Scholarship
Q&A
Friday
8:30am
Morning Prayer in Chapel
9:15am
Continental Breakfast
Oden Lecure #2 – YHWH Christology & Hermeneutics: After Allegorical Interpretation
Q&A
10:45am
Oden Lecture #3 – YHWH Christology & Ethics: After Divine Virtue
Q&A
12:00pm
Lunch
1:15pm
Panel Discussion (5-10 minute responses from selected faculty and special guests)
Event Details
Accommodations
The Sisters of St. Joseph – This is a few miles from Trinity School for Ministry’s campus. If you choose to stay here, transportation will be provided to and from Trinity. HOUSING IS LIMITED. Make your reservation early for best availability.
- Location – 1020 State Street, Baden, Pennsylvania 15005
- Costs – approx. $50/night
- How to make a reservation – If you are interested in this option, please email intensives@tsm.edu. One of our staff members can assist you with your reservation.
The Cobblestone Inn – This is a hotel located directly next to Trinity School for Ministry. Amenities include a microwave and refrigerators in every guest room, in-room coffee, complimentary hot breakfast, and complimentary hotel-wide wi-fi service.
- Location – 1111 New Economy Drive, Ambridge, Pennsylvania 15003
- Phone number – 1.888.693.8262
- Costs – approx. $105/night
- How to make a reservation – contact the Cobblestone directly to make your reservation. Be sure to mention The Trinity InterTerm block.
Heslet House Bed and Breakfast – A beautifully restored historic Bed and Breakfast in Old Economy Village, a five-minute walk from Trinity. Guests will enjoy a king or queen size bed, antique furnishings, ensuite bathroom, and free wi-fi.
- Location – 1427 Church Street, Ambridge, PA 15003
- Phone number – 724.241.3993
- Costs – approx. $100/night
- How to make a reservation – Contact the Heslet House directly to make your reservation.
Food
Refreshments will be provided daily. Lunch will be offered on Friday for event participants. Gluten-free and dairy-free options will be available. Other dietary restrictions and needs should be communicated at least one month beforehand to Lee-Anna Upperman, Webber Center Administrator. The kitchen staff will strive to meet any additional restrictions, but cannot guarantee to be able to meet them all.
Transportation
The Pittsburgh International Airport is 12 miles from the Trinity Campus and a taxi to Ambridge is approx. $30. Occasionally, students and staff from Trinity are available to pick up/drop off at the Airport. Please contact Lee-Anna Upperman, Webber Center Administrator, for more information.
Please check with your hotel to see if there is shuttle service to and from the Airport.
COVID Protocol
No proof of vaccination or testing will be required for any courses or events. No masking or social distancing will be required.
Recording/Live-streaming
The event may be live-streamed – if you are unable to join us in Ambridge, the link will be provided one week in advance (registration required).
About – The Thomas C. Oden Patristics Lectures are an annual event held in honor of the late Thomas C. Oden, and sponsored by the Robert E. Webber Center of Trinity School for Ministry. The Lectures are scheduled to take place annually during Trinity School for Ministry’s January Intensives. The Lectures will be the occasion of two events: (a) 3.5 days of classroom seminar focusing on a chosen topic of patristic theology (offered as a full, credit-bearing course), and (b) 1.5 days of public lecture on the same topic. Both seminar and the lectures will be delivered by the same scholar. The scholar will be recognized in the field of patristic studies, share Trinity’s commitment to the Nicene faith, and evince a commitment to the life of the Church.
Audience – The intended audience for the Oden Lectures will comprise both students and non-student guests. Students will attend both the seminar and the public lectures, which together will constitute the intensive equivalent of a semester course. While MDiv students may take the course as an elective, it is intended primarily as an upper level seminar to serve DMin, STM, and MAR students. The course will be cross-registered in both Theology and Church History, and tiered in its requirements for the respective degree programs.
The public lectures will be run as a mini-conference, with non-students paying a registration fee to offset costs of food and speaker expenses.