Event: University Chapel Hour and Special Events presents: Dr. James F. Strange

Date: Oct. 20 (Wednesday)

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Evelyn Chapel, 1301 N. Park St., Bloomington

Admission: Free and open to the public

Background: Distinguished University Professor and director of Graduate Studies for the University of South Florida’s Department of Religious Studies, James F. Strange will present: “The Gospel Teachings and Galilean Settings.”

Strange has taught at the University of South Florida since 1972, and has served both as chairperson of Religious Studies (1990-93) and as Dean of the College of Arts and Letters (1981-89). In 1995 he received the University of South Florida “Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award,” and in 1998 received the University of South Florida “Professional Excellence Program” award.

Since 1969 Strange has been an active participant in archaeological excavations in Israel, and since 1983 he has directed the University of South Florida excavations at Sepphoris in Israel. He has published several books on the subject including: Ancient Synagogue Excavations at Khirbet Shema, Israel (1976), Excavations at Ancient Meiron, Upper Galilee, Israel (1981), Archaeology, the Rabbis and Early Christianity (1981), and Excavations in the Ancient Synagogue of Gush Halav (1990).

Strange also serves as art and archaeology editor for the Macmillan Dictionary of Formative Judaism and is on the editorial committee for the series Academic Studies in the History of Judaism for Binghamton University.

Strange graduated in 1960 from Rice University with a B.A. in Philosophy. He went on to earn an M.Div from Yale Divinity School in 1964 and a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Drew University in 1970.

Contact: For additional information, contact the Illinois Wesleyan Chaplain’s office at (309) 556-3005.