WILSON, N.C. – September 15 — “Fostering Peace In An Age of Terrorism,” presented by Dr. Frances Flannery, will be the topic for discussion at the 2016 Allan R. Sharp Religion in Life Series lecture on Monday, Sept. 26. The event will be held at 7 p.m. in The Sam and Marjorie Ragan Writing Center on the Barton College campus. This program is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.
Professor Flannery is director of the Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Terrorism and Peace (CISTP) at James Madison University, which seeks to bridge the gap between academic subject matter experts, the intelligence community, public policy arenas, and grassroots NGOs. She recently published a monograph titled Understanding Apocalyptic Terrorism: Countering the Radical Mindset (Routledge, 2015). With Dr. Rodney Werline, Marie and Leman Barnhill Endowed Chair in Religious Studies at Barton College and Director of the Barton College Center for Religious Studies, she has co-edited a volume of collected essays by several scholars titled “The Bible in Political Debate: What Does It Really Say?” (T&T Clark/Bloomsbury), which will be released on Sept. 22.
After earning an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science at The College of William and Mary (1989), Dr. Flannery earned her Master of Arts degree and Ph.D. in Biblical Studies at The University of Iowa (1994, 2000). Her main area of research is apocalypticism from its origins to the present day, including understanding the relationships between apocalyptic thinking and religious/ideological terrorism. In addition, she has also extensively researched early Jewish mysticism, Jewish and Christian dreams and visions, and religious experience, and is also deeply interested in the influence of religious systems on environmental sustainability.
Her publications include two books, two co-edited volumes, over twenty peer-reviewed major articles or book chapters, and over ten smaller articles, encyclopedia articles, and reviews. With Dr. Werline, she also co-founded the Religious Experience in Early Judaism and Early Christianity program unit of the Society of Biblical Literature in 2005. A dedicated teacher, Dr. Flannery was a state finalist in 2015 for the State Council of Higher Education Outstanding Faculty Award. At James Madison University, she teaches in the areas of Hebrew Bible, Judaism, religious terrorism, world religions, and religion and culture. In addition to speaking at a variety of religious studies, political science, and intelligence conferences, Dr. Flannery is a regular lecturer in her local community on peace, countering violent extremism, and interreligious dialogue.
Established in 1991, the Allan R. Sharp Religion in Life Series brings to campus each fall semester distinguished performers and lecturers who focus on topics of practical Christian significance for the general public relating to contemporary issues. This lecture series was named in honor of Dr. Allan R. Sharp, professor emeritus of religion and philosophy, at the time of his retirement. The late Dr. Sharp served on the Barton College faculty from 1953-1991.
For additional information, contact Dr. Rodney A. Werline, Marie and Leman Barnhill Endowed Chair in Religious Studies at Barton College and Director of the Barton College Center for Religious Studies, at (252) 399-6447 or rawerline@barton.edu.
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