Dr. Mercer's Speaking Engagements

Many of these lectures to lay audiences are based on Dr. Mercer's published research. For more details and scheduling arrangements, see contact information at the bottom.

Popular Lectures, Based on Dr. Mercer's Current Research


• God, Souls, Spiritual Machines, and Living Forever in the 21st Century:  What if you could live for 1,000 years - or longer? In this increasingly popular lecture, I summarize, and consider the religious implications of, the science that is fast opening up possibilities for engineering the body and mind and for extreme (perhaps indefinite) longevity of healthy human life. The lecture is based, in part, on a co-edited book in progress.


• Slaves of Faith: A Therapist Looks Inside the Fundamentalist Mind:   Although a religion professor, I am also trained as and practiced part-time for a decade as a therapist. This talk is based on my forthcoming book where I use a cognitive therapy model to understand the fundamentalist.


Other Lectures


• Monks and Monasteries:  I have a long academic interest in monasticism and have also done retreats in monasteries located in many countries and associated with various religions (e.g., Theravada in Thailand, Zen in Japan, Hindu in India, and especially Trappist in Israel and the US). In this lecture I sketch the origins, development, and contemporary expression of Christian monasticism.


• Trying Not to Get Beaten:  My Experience in a Japanese Zen Monastery:   Here I mine insights and wisdom from my experience in a Japanese Renzai Zen Buddhist Monastery in Kyoto, Japan.


• What Thomas Merton Has to Offer Our World:   In this lecture I take a look at this fascinating Trappist monk, still relevant for our time.


• Headaches, Happiness, and the Yoga Sutra of Pantanjali:   Based on The Monastic Project, this is a study of an old Hindu text and its relevance for our culture and personal well-being.


• Battle on the Field of Dharma: Stories and Teaching from the Bhagavad-Gita:   Although much of my scholarly work has been on the Bible, my second love is the Gita. Here I give a sampling of stories and teachings from what is arguably the most loved text in Hinduism.


• Christian Chanting:  Chanting is often associated with India and religions other than Christianity. However, there is a long tradition of chanting in Christianity. I examine this often overlooked technique for spiritual growth and mental calmness. I have attended workshops with recognized chant masters and for years have led group chanting using Christian chants that I designed from Hebrew and Greek.


• Fasting for Health and Holiness:  Fasting is about more than just "not eating." Here I provide a practical and theological study of this old spiritual technique.


• Humor in the Bible, or Why Jesus Didn't Have Ulcers:  Based on my published research, I provide a literary/psychological study of the parables and proverbs of Jesus. This approach yields some interesting results.


• From Eve to Jerry Falwell:  The Image, Role, and Status of Women:  In this lecture I examine the history, role, and status of women in the Jewish and Christian traditions. The lecture is based, in part, on my recent published article, "Sexual Violence and the Warrior God."


• Jesus' First Day at School:  Here I look at one of the Christian gospels that did not make it into the New Testament.


• How We Got the Bible:  This several sessions long series examines the writing materials, transmission, collection, and translation of the texts.

For a list of other lectures or for scheduling information, contact:

Calvin Mercer, PhD
Co-Director, Religious Studies Program
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858 USA
252.328.4310 (office and voice mail)
252-328-6301 (fax)
mercerc@ecu.edu



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