A lecture on the theological minutiae of Jeremiah or a relaxing night of Tuesday night television. Which would you choose?
A theatre full of people chose the former this week as the Rev Dr Andrew Shead presented the first of five lectures in Moore College's 30th annual series.
Dr Shead, an expert on Jeremiah and Old Testament lecturer at the college, expounded on the meaning behind the use of "word' and "words' in the book, and addressed its narrative structure.
The talk gave this layperson a valuable and rare insight into theological academic thought, a "fly on the wall' hint of what an everyday college lecture must be like.
A healthy show of hands in the question time afterwards revealed a keen interest in the doctrine of the word of God, the theme of this year's series.
Current students, clergy and laypeople are expected to fill the theatre again tonight for the second lecture, which will focus on the word of God and the speaker who relays it.
The remaining three morning lectures will address the relationship between the Word and hearer, promise and power, and will be held tomorrow, and Tuesday and Thursday next week.
How it all began
Professor FF Bruce started the Annual Moore College Lecture Series in 1977 to encourage biblical and theological scholarship in Australia.
Since then, speakers such as David Broughton Knox and Don Carson have given the talks.
Every second year, international scholars deliver the lectures, many of which are published afterwards for current students, clergy and interested laypeople.
"For the current students, it provides an opportunity to be exposed to high-level scholarship over a sustained series of lectures," says Moore College Registrar, Rhonda Barry.
But the benefits also give laypeople the chance to experience a college lecture at an academic level, she adds.
"It's an opportunity for laypeople who are interested in biblical and theological studies to hear about current research in the field."
The second lecture in Moore College's Annual Lecture Series will be held tonight in the Broughton Knox Lecture Theatre at 8pm.
