Christian scholar Richard Hughes lends expertise to university
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
One of the foremost Church of Christ scholars in the nation, Richard Hughes, has been named scholar-in-residence in the College of Bible & Ministry.
Hughes, who has spent more than 40 years researching religion and culture, has been appointed to a two-year term as scholar-in-residence for the college, Leonard Allen, dean of the College of Bible & Ministry, recently announced.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Hughes will be a part of this college, and I look forward to the ways we will grow physically and spiritually through his work and influence here,” says Allen. “He is quite well known in faith-based higher education circles not only among the Churches of Christ, but among Christian scholars in general.”
Allen and Hughes crossed paths more than three decades ago. Since that time they have forged a friendship that has included collaborating on three books — Illusions of Innocence, Discovering our Roots and The Wordly Church.
Hughes has taught and published in a variety of areas including the biblical vision of peace and justice, Christianity and America’s self-understanding, the relationship between Christianity and higher education/the life of the mind and the history of Christian primitivism in America. He is also well known for his research and writings about the history of the Churches of Christ in America. One of his best-known works on the subject is his book, Reviving the Ancient Faith: The Story of Churches of Christ in America. Other books he has published about the history of the Churches of Christ include Reclaiming a Heritage: Reflections on the Heart, Soul and Future of Churches of Christ and American Origins of Churches of Christ: Three Essays on Restoration History among others.
“The Church of Christ shaped me so profoundly that I knew I needed to understand the Church of Christ thoroughly before I could understand myself,” explains Hughes.
As scholar-in-residence, Hughes, who recently retired as distinguished professor of religion at Messiah College, will teach several Christian history and theology classes, will develop a faith and learning seminar series and will continue his research and writing among other activities while at Lipscomb. He says he will also work with Allen to develop a sustainable faith and learning initiative.
“One of my goals through my work at Lipscomb is to encourage students to think about their vocation and calling and about being called to serve through one’s vocation,” says Hughes. “That mindset revolutionizes the way people think of their careers, and helps further kingdom work.”
He said one of the reasons he is excited to be at Lipscomb is because of its annual Thomas H. Olbricht Christian Scholars’ Conference.
“My wife, Jan, and I enjoy being a part of the Christian Scholars’ Conference every year,” says Hughes. “I look forward to being a part of that at Lipscomb. That’s one of the big reasons we are at Lipscomb now. It’s like a big family reunion every year when we go the conference. And we also have many close family and friend connections at Lipscomb and in this area.”
With a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, Hughes has also taught at Pepperdine, Southwest Missouri State and Abilene Christian universities. He said he looks forward to this new chapter of his career.
“I’m so thrilled to be working with Leonard,” says Hughes. “I look forward to convening faculty, students and scholars to think about issues of faith, academia and spirituality.”
Hughes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harding University and a Master of Arts from Abilene Christian University. He regularly speaks to groups and organizations across the country on a variety of topics including the intersection of religion and American politics and the role of Christians in peace-making and social justice. Throughout his career, Hughes has directed numerous conferences, programs and initiatives and has written or edited 18 books.
For more information about Lipscomb’s College of Bible & Ministry, visit bible.lipscomb.edu.