Howard Payne University’s third annual Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics will focus on the ethical teachings of the late Dr. Nat Tracy, a member of HPU’s Bible faculty from 1950 to 1975. The event will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, in the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center on the HPU campus in Brownwood.
This year’s lectures will feature Dr. Gary Manning, Dr. Robert Williams and Dr. Bill Fowler, three of Dr. Tracy’s former students who cite the late professor as a major influence in their lives and ministries.
Dr. Gary Manning, professor of religion at Wayland Baptist University, will present a lecture entitled “The Character of God as the Basis for Christian Ethics.” Dr. Manning edited, updated and recently published A Search for Authentic Christianity, based on a manuscript by Dr. Tracy.
The focus of the presentation by Dr. Robert Williams, founder and director of The Encouragers in Dallas, Texas, will be “The Ethical Mission of Christ’s Church.”
Dr. Bill Fowler, assistant professor of Christian Studies at HPU, will speak on “The Servant Church and the Whole Gospel.”
This year’s lecture series will be part of Howard Payne University’s Celebration Week, a week-long slate of events highlighting the university’s history and mission. Celebration Week, which will culminate with the inauguration of Dr. William N. Ellis as the university’s 19th president, will also include the dedications of the newly renovated Mims Auditorium and the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center, featuring Grace Chapel and the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room.
The lecture series is made possible through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Gary Elliston and was established to honor the life of Dr. David R. Currie, retired executive director of Texas Baptists Committed, and the memory of Phil Strickland, who dedicated nearly 40 years of ministry to the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Christian Life Commission.