A Path Through The Wilderness: Tracing the Economics of Covenant

The Vancouver School of Theology proudly presents the 2027 G. Peter Kaye Lecture & Workshop | A Path Through The Wilderness: Tracing the Economics of Covenant

Public Lecture — Friday, February 19 at 7pm

Workshop — Saturday, February 20 from 10am – 2pm (lunch included)

Join Dr. Ellen F. Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School, for the 2027 G. Peter Kaye Lecture at the Vancouver School of Theology.

This free public lecture invites participants to explore how the poetry of ancient Israel offers insights into our relationship with the natural world. Through a close reading of selected psalms, Dr. Davis will consider how Scripture can deepen our understanding of our place in creation and our responsibility to the world we inhabit.

Please note:

• The public lecture on February 19 will be available to watch online via livestream. You will be emailed a Zoom link in the days leading to the lecture. 

• The workshop on February 20 will only be offered in-person only. 

• Lunch is included in the $10 workshop registration cost. Please indicate dietary restrictions as prompted during check-out.

• There is limited parking at Epiphany Chapel (on Chancellor Mews), as well as paid parking on UBC campus. The North Parkade and Rose Garden Parkade are within a six minute walk. Public transportation to UBC is readily available. Epiphany Chapel is a 10 minute walk northwest of the UBC bus loop. 

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Public Lecture: Friday, February 19 - "A Path through the Wilderness: Tracing the Economics of Covenant" 

Through a close reading of several psalms, Dr. Davis will explore how the poetry of ancient Israel can deepen our relationship with and responsibility to the places we inhabit.

Workshop: Saturday, February 20 - “The Poetry of Creation and Disruption: Biblical and Contemporary Perspectives”

Drawing on biblical texts and modern poetry, this workshop will explore how poets celebrate the harmonies of creation, confront the disruptions of injustice and arrogance, and offer insight into our contemporary world.

About: 

Dr. Ellen F. Davis is Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School.

The author of twelve books and many articles, her research interests focus on how biblical interpretation bears on the life of faith communities and their response to urgent public issues, particularly the ecological crisis and interfaith relations. Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible (Cambridge University Press, 2009), integrates biblical studies with a critique of industrial agriculture and food production. Biblical Prophecy: Perspectives for Christian Theology, Discipleship and Ministry (Westminster John Knox, 2014), explores the prophetic role and word across both Testaments of the Christian Bible. Her most recent books are Preaching the Luminous Word (Eerdmans, 2016), a collection of her sermons and essays, and Opening Israel’s Scriptures (Oxford, 2019), a comprehensive theological reading of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Light within Light: Psalms and the Arts of Insight, co-written with Makoto Fujimura and Shai Held, is forthcoming from Baylor University Press in 2026.

A lay Episcopalian, she has long been active as a theological consultant within the Anglican Communion. Her current work explores the arts as modes of scriptural interpretation.

Gilbert Peter Kaye, a dedicated philanthropist and former Chancellor of VST, established the G. Peter and Barbara E. Kaye Fund with the Vancouver Foundation. Since 1987 Peter Kaye’s generosity has allowed VST to host the annual G. Peter Kaye Lectures, bringing distinguished scholars to Vancouver whose insights deepen the spiritual life of the school, church, and wider community.