Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures Returns to Malibu Campus for 73rd Year

For the 73rd year thousands of visitors will flock to the Pepperdine University Malibu campus to experience the powerful story of Christ's life, death, and resurrection at the Pepperdine Bible Lectures from Tuesday to Friday, May 3 to 6. More than 300 guest speakers from around the world will lead over 75 inspiring daily sessions and unmatched moments of fellowship as they explore the deeper truths found in scripture.

Among the special guest speakers will be N. T. Wright, an Anglican bishop and perhaps the leading New Testament scholar in the world, who will deliver the keynote address, “The Scandal of the Cross,” on Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 PM and lead small group sessions with church ministers throughout the week.

On Wednesday, from 8:45 to 9:45 PM, Ruby Bridges, a civil rights activist and passionate advocate for Christian love and forgiveness, will discuss how a steadfast commitment to her faith in times of hatred, injustice, and loss enabled her to love and forgive those who hated her very existence. As an elementary school student, Bridges was escorted to school each morning by armed U.S. marshals who protected her from the angry mobs in opposition of the desegregation ruling that announced a local all-white school would begin to accept African American students.

Greg Boyd, founder and senior pastor of Woodland Hills Church, an Evangelical mega-church in St. Paul, Minnesota, is an internationally recognized theologian, preacher, teacher, apologist and author. He has authored or coauthored 18 books and numerous academic articles and was a professor of theology for 16 years at Bethel University, where he received the Teaching Excellence Award and Campus Leadership Award. Boyd will present "God at War (The Local Church and the Mission of Jesus)" Wednesday to Friday, from 2:30 to 3:15 PM. 

Father Greg Boyle, founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries, former pastor of Dolores Mission Church, and author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, will explore the theme “Boundless Compassion (When Jesus Shows Up in Streets of East Los Angeles)” on Wednesday, from 1:30 to 2:15 PM.

David Kinnaman, president and majority owner of the Barna Group and author of two best-selling books that focus on the spiritual lives of teens and twenty-somethings, will discuss "The Present and Future of Spiritual Leadership" Wednesday to Friday, from 9:30 to 10:15 AM.

Known as a top trial lawyer, with a degree in Greek and Hebrew, Mark Lanier will lead a discussion of “Christianity on Trial” Wednesday to Friday, from 8:30 to 9:15 AM, based on his most recent book of the same name.

On Thursday evening, from 9 to 10 PM, the Pepperdine Chamber Choir will fill Stauffer Chapel with the glorious sounds of sacred a cappella music from a variety of styles and time periods.

In addition, University staff and administrators will present a rousing performance of “PBL Unplugged Presents An Evening of Storytelling and Music,” on Friday, from 9 to 10 PM, hosted by Jeff Walling, Pepperdine’s director of the Youth Leadership Initiative. On stage will be the musical talents of Pepperdine University president Andrew K. Benton, Kaily Howelll, Ida Nicolosi, Pepperdine vice president for finance and administration Jeff Pippin, and visiting assistant professor of communication Chris Stivers.

More details, including information about the Boone Center for the Family series, Spanish language sessions, special programs for children and teens, and excursions and other activities, can be found on the Pepperdine Bible Lectures website.