The Croghan Bicentennial Lectures in Biblical Studies with Professor Efraín Agosto, Lecture 2 of 2

This second and final lecture in the 2022 Croghan Bicentennial Lecture series focuses more directly on putting the New Testament “Apostle to the Nations” (an alternative translation to the more well-known term, “Gentiles”), Paul of Tarsus, in dialogue with the “Apostle of Puerto Rican Independence,” Pedro Albizu Campos. After a brief overview of the use of the term “apostle,” then and now, we will focus on how Paul exercised his “apostleship” in the midst of the first century Roman imperial order, and how and why Pedro Albizu Campos became such a strong advocate of independence from US presence in Puerto Rico to the point of imprisonment and death. This lecture argues that both “apostles” ultimately suffered imprisonment and death at the hands of imperial hegemony – both the first century Roman and 20th century US versions – and asks, “Why?”

This event is open to the public. Masks are required, as well as proof of COVID-19 vaccination for off-campus visitors.