Biblical scholar, semitic languages expert to speak at Oklahoma City University

OKLAHOMA CITY –  Renowned Bible and ancient Semitic languages professor Benjamin Sommer will present the 2011 Neustadt Lectures at Oklahoma City University next month.

Sommer will discuss “Psalms in Modern and Ancient Perspectives: Notes from a Contemporary Jewish Commentator’s Workshop” during the university’s weekly chapel service at 1 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel. The presentation will reflect on Psalm 137. He will also lecture at 3 p.m. on “How Do We Know About God? Psalm 19 in Light of Archaeology and Karl Barth” and 7 p.m. on “A Little Higher than Angels: Psalm 29 and the Genre of Heavenly Praise” in the chapel. All presentations are free to the public.

Sommer teaches at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City. He previously directed the Center forJewish Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. An author, he also is editor of the Psalms volumes of the Jewish Publication Society Bible Commentary Series.

For more information, contact Cathy Bewley at (405) 208-5284 or the Rev. Rodney Newman at (405) 208-5484.