Humanities and Arts Interest Group (HAIG) Lecture
This talk is scheduled as part of the HAIG Lecture Series.
Former Cornell professor and now Colorado College Professor Emeritus of Religion David Weddle will speak on “Christianity Without The Cross: A Critique of Religious Sacrifice.” What would religion be without sacrifice? Religions that honor Abraham still regard offering his son to God with deep ambivalence and interpret his act in ways that soften its moral offense. But Christianity understands Abraham’s near sacrifice as foreshadowing the crucifixion of Christ and Christian tradition early settled on sacrifice as the meaning of the cross. Was that decision necessary and could Christianity give up its theology of redemptive violence?
During this discussion, attendees will consider alternative readings of the cross, from Peter Abelard to Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Weddle will sign books (and books will be available for purchase) immediately following his talk. Weddle is the author of three books, most recently “Sacrifice in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam” (NYU Press, 2017).
