A Meeting of the Minds: FHU Bible Professors Attend Oxford University Conference

Three FHU Bible faculty members exchanged insights and engaged with the world’s leading scholars of early Christianity in August. Hosted at the U.K.’s renowned Oxford University, Dr. Richard Brumback, Dr. Donnie DeBord and Dr. Justin Rogers joined colleagues from around the world at the nineteenth International Conference on Patristic Studies.

“The Oxford Patristics Conference was the trip of a lifetime,” Rogers, Dean of the College of Biblical Studies, shared. “Not only did we spend our days in buildings older than the United States, we also enjoyed the company of some of the best and brightest scholars from around the world.”

An event that has taken place every four years since 1951, the International Conference on Patristic Studies welcomed roughly 1,000 attendees and 300 presenters from around the world to deliver original research on early Christian studies after the time of the New Testament. In locations spread throughout Oxford, registered participants heard presentations in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish over the course of four days.

Like all presenters, the FHU Bible professors submitted paper topics that event organizers considered and accepted for presentation. Dr. Brumback presented on the topic of “Gregory of Elvira, Pneumatology and the Double Procession of the Spirit.” Dr. DeBord presented “Irenaeus’ Theory of Recapitulation as a Hermeneutical Key, with the Resurrection on the Third Day as a Test.” Finally, Dr. Rogers presented “A Student's View of the Fourth-century Christian Classroom: Questions and Answers in Didymus’ Commentary on Ecclesiastes.”

Professors outside of the British Museum

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Brumback, Director of the FHU Graduate School of Theology, stated, “To be in a city of learning with such a long history and contributing even in a small way to the ongoing study of Christianity—extraordinary.”

Dr. DeBord added, “Our time at Oxford University was academically enriching, allowing us to engage with international scholars and contribute to discussions on early church history. We were also blessed with cultural enrichment, meaningful team-building moments, and, of course, the best waffles on the planet.”

Inside Oxford University’s Christ Church Cathedral

The group began their travels in London, where they soaked up the history of the British Museum and the British Library, worshiped with Christians of the Kings Cross church of Christ, and visited popular sites such as Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park. Immersing themselves in the rich history of London helped set the tone for the academic journey ahead. After traveling by bus to Oxford, the men stayed in the heart of the Medieval city and walked to the Examination Hall, the Ioannou Centre and Christ Church for conference sessions.

This historical significance of the conference setting was not lost on Rogers, who noted the many great thinkers who had walked the same halls. “The second-oldest university still in existence today (behind the University of Bologna), Oxford’s importance for Christian history is difficult to overestimate,” he said. “The art of English Bible translation was cultivated at Oxford under John Wycliffe. Christian theology and hymnody were furthered at Oxford through the work of John and Charles Wesley. Finally, modern Christian fiction and apologetics were sparked at Oxford under the pen of C.S. Lewis. Oxford is full of cultural, academic and historical relevance. Rick, Donnie and I were blessed to visit and to present at one of the oldest and most storied institutions on earth.”

The professors’ participation at the international conference not only highlighted their scholarly contributions but also underscored the global reach and impact of FHU’s College of Biblical Studies. Their experiences at this historic conference will undoubtedly enrich their teaching and inspire the next generation of students at Freed-Hardeman University.