Each year, the Newell Lectureship in Biblical Studies at Anderson University brings respected scholars to campus to present research and insights on important topics in biblical scholarship. Established in 1981, the lecture series was created to provide students, ministers, and the wider church with opportunities to engage thoughtfully with Scripture and contemporary theological questions.
One of the recent lectures in this series explores the relationship between the Bible and the modern concept of human rights. The presentation considers how ideas about justice, moral obligation, and the dignity of human beings appear in biblical texts and how those ideas intersect with modern discussions about rights and ethics.
Rather than assuming that modern rights language can simply be read back into Scripture, the lecture invites viewers to reflect carefully on the differences between ancient biblical moral frameworks and contemporary ethical language. It raises important questions about how Christians should understand moral authority, justice, and responsibility when engaging both Scripture and modern ethical conversations.
The Newell Lectureship has long been known for bringing leading voices in biblical studies to Anderson University to address topics that matter for both scholarship and the life of the church. These lectures provide an opportunity to hear directly from scholars working at the forefront of biblical interpretation and theological reflection.
We encourage readers to watch the full lecture directly through the official YouTube publication below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px4Q6y3UM6c
You can also explore additional lectures in this distinguished series through Anderson University’s Newell Lectureship page:
https://anderson.edu/theology-christian-ministry/newell-lectureship-in-biblical-studies/
This article is provided as a brief introduction to the lecture. All video content and original presentation materials belong to the speaker and to Anderson University, which hosts the Newell Lectureship in Biblical Studies.
