January 16, 2007

Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, professor of Old Testament Studies and director of Peace Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, will be the guest speaker at the La Sierra University School of Religion Landa Lecture Saturday, February 24, 3:00 p.m. at the La Sierra University Church.

The Landa Lecture is named for Paul J. Landa who was a professor of the history of Christianity at both La Sierra and Loma Linda Universities from 1971-1997 when his life was cut short due to illness. Landa was a superlative teacher who developed an expertise in strategic planning for churches and educational facilities. He inspired others with his passion and his career was devoted to fostering a healthy conversation among church, campus and community.

Smith-Christopher is the author of Religion of the Landless: The Social Context of the Babylonian Exile and the "Commentary on the Book of Daniel" for the New Interpreter's Bible (1996), and "Ezra-Nehemiah" for The Oxford Bible Commentary (2000). And his book Subverting Hatred is in it’s eighth printing.

Smith-Christopher earned his bachelors from George Fox University, his masters of divinity from the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries, and his doctorate of philosophy from Oxford University (Trinity College). From 1986 to 1988 Smith-Christopher did volunteer peace work and research with the Quakers in Israel/Palestine.

For more information on the La Sierra University School of Religion Landa Lecture please call 951-785-2041.