A nationally respected theologian from Howard University will speak as part of West Virginia Universitys Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition events at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Morgantowns First Presbyterian Church on Spruce Street.
Cain Hope Felder is a professor of New Testament Language and Literature and editor of The Journal of Religious Study at Howard Universitys School of Divinity.
“We are delighted that someone of Dr. Felders caliber will speak as part of this years Martin Luther King, Jr. events at WVU ,”said Katherine Bankole, Center for Black Culture and Research director.”His talk will illuminate many of the meanings behind Dr. Kings vision for society in refreshing and inspiring ways.”
Felder has been on the Howard faculty since 1981,arriving in Washington,D.C., from Princeton Theological Seminary where he taught in the Biblical Studies Department.
Felder, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, was pastor of the Grace United Methodist Church in New York City from 1975-1977.
From 1969-72, he directed the United Methodist Black Caucus, then headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.
Born in Aiken, S.C., he was reared in Boston, where he attended the Boston Latin School. Felder has several degrees including a bachelors of arts degree in philosophy and classics, Howard University; a masters of divinity, Union Theological Seminary; a diploma of theology, Oxford University; and a masters of philosophy and doctorate of philosophy in biblical languages and literature from Columbia University.
His first book, Troubling Biblical Waters: Race, Class and Family (Orbis Books, 1989) gained immediate recognition as a groundbreaking study. The 13th printing of this book was run in 1997. Stony the Road we Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation (Fortress Press, 1991), which Felder edited, is now in its seventh printing.
In 1992, he published The Season of Lent: Proclamation Commentary 5 (Fortress Press, 1995). His most recent works include International Catholic Bible Commentary and The Mercy of God in Luke-Acts published by Orbis Books.
The Association of Catholic Presses in its Religious Literary Competition awarded Felders Troubling Biblical Waters second place honors in the Scripture Division. The volume also was nominated for the Schomburg Prize for Excellence in Black History and Culture.
Felder has appeared on the Phil Donahue Show, and has been featured in many magazines and newspapers including The Washington Times, EBONY and Times.
He also founded the Biblical Institute for Social Change in Washington, D.C.
For more information on his talk, call the Center for Black Culture and Research, 293-7029.
WVU will be closed Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of Kings birthday. The 2001 MLK Achievement Award recipient will be announced at a Unity Breakfast that morning.