Inaugural B.B. Warfield Lectures set for Nov. 2-3 in Columbia

The inaugural B.B. Warfield Lectures, presented by Erskine Theological Seminary (Columbia Campus) and First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, S.C., will be delivered by Dr. Mark Ross Friday, Nov. 2, and Saturday, Nov. 3 in Jackson Hall at First Presbyterian Church. Focusing on the Person of Christ, the lectures have been given the overall title “‘Who do You say that I am?’ Confessing Jesus Christ—Yesterday and Today.”

Friday’s lecture begins at 7 p.m. and is entitled “Who Did They Say Christ Is?” A reception will follow the lecture.

Two lectures will be given on Saturday. “Who Are They Saying Christ Is?” begins at 9:30 a.m. and “Who Do You Say Christ Is?” begins at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be offered at 10:30 a.m.

The lectureship is named for Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield (1851-1921), professor of theology at Princeton Seminary from 1887-1921.

Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, senior minister at First Presbyterian Church, noted that although Warfield was born in Kentucky and taught in New Jersey, he had “a rather special connection with Columbia” — he delivered the Thomas Smyth Lectures in the auditorium of First Presbyterian Church in October 1917, and this was described at the time as “the scholastic event of the year in Columbia.” The lectures were later published as Warfield’s Counterfeit Miracles.

Ross served for a number of years in pastoral ministry at First Presbyterian. He is now First Presbyterian Church-John R. de Witt Professor of Systematic Theology, director of the Institute for Reformed Worship, and associate dean for Church Relations.