Lectures: C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture by Bluffton University Professor of English Lamar Nisly – “‘Good for the Soul,’ or Why Mennonites Should Read Catholic Literature”

Date, times, locations: Monday, April 16 at 10 a.m. in the Church-Chapel and at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building Room 28, Goshen College

Cost: Both lectures are free and open to the public

Bluffton professor to talk about value of Catholic writers for Mennonites on April 16

GOSHEN, Ind. – Talking about the value of Catholic literature for non-Catholics – and specifically for Mennonites – Bluffton (Ohio) University Professor of English Lamar Nisly will present the annual C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture at Goshen College on Monday, April 16 at 10 a.m. in the Church-Chapel and at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building Room 28. The lectures are free and open to the public.

         In his presentation, “‘Good for the Soul,’ Or Why Mennonites Should Read Catholic Literature,” Nisly will examine connections that Mennonites can find when they read contemporary Catholic literature. In particular, Nisly argues, Mennonites should read Catholic literature because the fiction shows an engagement with themes of peace and justice, the all-consuming nature of following Christ, the sacredness of each individual and the possibility of grace. These lectures will primarily focus on fiction writing by authors Flannery O’Connor, Walker Percy and Tim Gautreaux.

Nisly spent a recent sabbatical working on a book that examines these three authors, entitled, “Wingless Chickens, Bayou Companions, and Pilgrim Wayfarers: Construction of Tone and Audience in O’Connor, Gautreaux and Percy,” yet to be published. Reading the works of individuals from other faith traditions creates “learning across denominational lines, which addresses a core need for Mennonite education and the Mennonite Church more broadly as we seek to engage in conversation people from various traditions,” says Nisly. “If we hope that others will take seriously the peace beliefs that Mennonites hold dear, we must also work to find connections to their traditions.”

         In addition to teaching English, Nisly is also interim associate dean at Bluffton University. He wrote “Impossible to Say: Representing Religious Mystery in Fiction by Malamud, Percy, Ozick and O’Connor” in 2002. Nisly received a bachelor’s degree from Messiah College and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Delaware.

         The C. Henry Smith Lecture, named for a former history professor at both Bluffton University and Goshen College, includes a research grant for the lecturer. The grant is awarded each year to a professor at a Mennonite college, who then presents the lecture at the participating schools.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college”s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron”s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report”s “America”s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.