Emory University News Release

Release date: Oct. 15, 2002
Contact: Elaine Justice, Associate Director, University Media Relations,
at 404-727-0643 or ejustic@emory.edu

Emory Celebrates Reformation Day

Emory University's 15th annual Reformation Day will feature a performance of religious works by classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as a lecture on the history of clerical celibacy and its role in spurring the Protestant Reformation. The day-long series of events is scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 22, in Emory's Cannon Chapel, 515 Kilgo Circle.

The Kessler Reformation Concert, under the theme "Bach the Lutheran Composer," will explore aspects of Bach's musical theology, featuring an organ performance and commentary by Timothy Albrecht, Emory organist and music professor. The concert also features an ensemble of musicians performing the aria "Gott hat Alles wohl gemacht." Albrecht will give a preview of the concert at 7:45 p.m., followed by the concert at 8:15 p.m.

John Witte Jr., Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law at Emory Law School, will explore the topic "The Perils of Celibacy: Clerical Marriage and the Protestant Reformation," during a lecture at 2:30 p.m.

Witte, director of Emory's Law and Religion Program and the Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion, will discuss how clerical celibacy has long been subject to controversy, and was a major component of the Protestant Reformation, with many reformers regarding mandatory celibacy as a fundamental misreading of Biblical texts and a rejection of God's gift of marriage. A response will be given by Steven M. Tipton, professor of sociology of religion at Candler and director of the Graduate Division of Religion at Emory.

The yearly occasion highlights the Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection at Emory's Candler School of Theology, an archive of rare and valuable documents produced in connection with the Reformation, including more than 2,600 pieces written by Martin Luther.

For more information on Reformation Day events, call 404-727-6352. Parking is available in the Peavine Visitor Lot, 27 Fraternity Row off Pierce Drive, Emory.