July 16th Dr. Duncan will deliver a plenary address at the Matthew Henry Conference in Chester, England (see the full conference schedule below). The University of Chester in collaboration with the Chester Cathedral Library and the University of Manchester, is sponsoring this interdisciplinary conference to commemorate the tercentenary of the death of Matthew Henry (22 June 1714) and his 25-year ministry in Chester (1687–1712).
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) is remembered today by two major groups of scholars: by historians as a leading figure among early eighteenth century dissenters, and brother of the diarist, Sarah Savage; and by theologians and biblical scholars for his Exposition of the Old and New Testaments. This monumental work, which had already been published in 25 different editions by 1855, is used widely even today in print and online versions.
Yet Henry’s famous commentary is by no means the only expression of his engagement with the Scriptures. Amongst his 30 further publications, most of which were published in the final years of his life (and many of which were later republished with extracts from his letters and diaries by Sir John Bickerton Williams), his many sermons and works on Christian Piety (including the still popular Method for Prayer, 1710) are saturated with Henry’s peculiarly practical approach to the Bible.
The conference, which will be held 14th–16th July 2014 will bring together historians, biblical scholars, and theologians to explore the work, context, and legacy of Matthew Henry, especially as it relates to his engagement with and use of Scripture. With keynote lectures from Prof. Clyde Binfield, Dr Ligon Duncan, Dr David Wykes, and Prof. Jeremy Gregory, this conference will not only offer a fresh opportunity to appreciate Henry’s ministry within the local context of Chester, it will also evaluate Henry in a wider historical context, and consider his contribution to the interpretation of the Bible in the early 18th century and its legacy up to the present day.
The cost of the conference is £160 residential and £95 non-residential. Individual Day rates are available on request from MatthewHenry@chester.ac.uk
MATTHEW HENRY:
THE BIBLE, PRAYER, AND PIETY
A conference to mark the tercentenary of Matthew Henry’s death
The University of Chester, Hollybank, 14th-16th July 2014
Co-hosted with The University of Manchester and Chester Cathedral Library
Draft programme
MONDAY 14th JULY
1330 REGISTRATION (Coffee available)
1430 WELCOME
1445 – 1600 OPENING LECTURE
Prof. Jeremy Gregory (Manchester University)
The Church and nonconformity in Later Stuart England: the wider world of Matthew Henry
1600 – 1630 COFFEE
1630 – 1745 PLENARY LECTURE
Dr David Wykes (Queen Mary)
Matthew Henry: Minister and Preacher
1800 DINNER
Whites Dining Room
1915 THE MATTHEW HENRY TRAIL
Leaves from Hollybank
TUESDAY 15th JULY
0800 BREAKFAST (for residential delegates)
0900 – 1105 SHORT PAPERS
0900-0930 Dr Alan Clifford (John Calvin Academy)
The Gospel According to Matthew Henry
0930-1000 Keith Giles (Irish Baptist College/University of Chester)
Serious Sacraments: Matthew Henry and the Lord’s Supper. A Brief Analysis of a Puritan Perspective on Communion
[5 minute break]
1005-1035 Michael Smith (Manchester University)
“The Expressing of Devout Affections of the Heart”: Piety and the Affections in the Worlds of Matthew Henry
1035-1105 Peter Bamford (Chester Cathedral Library)
For the Church or the Stable? A Chester Consistory Court Case of 1693-4
1105 – 1130 COFFEE
1130 – 1300 SHORT PAPERS
1130-1200 Prof. George Brooke (Manchester University)
Soul Prosperity: Reading Psalm 1 with Matthew Henry
1200-1230 Dr Matthew Collins (University of Chester)
Professors of Religion and their Strange Wives: Diluvian Discord in the Eyes of Matthew Henry
1230-1300 Prof. Loveday Alexander (University of Chester)
Verbi Dei Minister: Matthew Henry on Matthew 24.45-51
1300 LUNCH
Whites Dining Room
1400 CATHEDRAL VISIT
Leave from Hollybank
1415 – 1530 Library Exhibition (Prof. Philip Alexander, Manchester University)
1530 – 1615 BREAK (with Cathedral Tour)
1615 – 1730 PLENARY LECTURE (Cathedral Library)
Dr Christine Helmer (NorthWestern University)
Religious Experience and Prayer: Matthew Henry on the Practice of Religion
1800 DINNER
White’s Dining Room
1930 CHESTER THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY PUBLIC LECTURE Prof. Clyde Binfield
From Educated Underworld to the Queen’s First Knight: The Henrys in Context
WEDNESDAY 16th JULY
0800 BREAKFAST (for residential delegates)
0900 – 1100 SHORT PAPERS
0900-0930 Dr Stuart Weeks (Durham University)
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes
0930-1000 Viv Randles (University of Gloucestershire)
Interpretation by Imagination: Balaam and his Donkey in Preaching and Polemic, 1616–1789
1000-1030 Dr Paul Middleton (University of Chester)
‘Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron’: Matthew Henry’s Treatment of the Destruction of the Jerusalem Temple
1030-1100 Dr Andrew Crome (Manchester University)
Commentaries on Revelation in the 17th and 18th Centuries
1100 – 1130 COFFEE
1130 – 1245 CLOSING LECTURE
Dr Ligon Duncan (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Matthew Henry’s Legacy in Piety and Prayer
1300 LUNCH
Whites Dining Room
CONFERENCE ENDS
Rates: £160 Residential; £95 non-residential
Information and booking: http://www.chester.ac.uk/node/21521
Individual Day rates available on request from MatthewHenry@chester.ac.uk