College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Lecturer Delves into Mysteries of Revelation
Since joining the Mississippi College faculty in 2009, Burn Page has taught the apocalyptic book of Revelation, sharing the divine mysteries contained within the final work of the New Testament with scores of MC students.
On Oct. 25, he explored what some consider the most difficult book to interpret for an entirely different audience.
The Distinguished Lecturer Committee named the popular professor and chair of the Department of Christian Studies at MC the 2022 Distinguished Lecturer for the College of Arts and Sciences. Page delivered the lecture, “Reclaiming Revelation,” in the Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall in the Aven Fine Arts Building.
“We live in a time when Revelation has been hijacked by prophecy teachers and preachers who are more concerned with trying to predict when Jesus is coming back than looking at what Revelation has to say to God’s people today,” Page said. “I will address some of the issues in Revelation that Jesus called His church to conquer – such as compromise with the world’s values, complacency in our spiritual walk, and suffering as we witness for Christ.”
Bestowed annually since 1988, the lectureship recognizes an outstanding faculty member in either the School of Christian Studies and the Arts, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, or the School of Science and Mathematics, who demonstrates effective teaching, service to the institution, and scholarship in his or her chosen field.
Dr. Wayne VanHorn, dean of the School of Christian Studies and the Arts, said Page was uniquely qualified to give the distinguished lecture on Revelation.
“For a number of years, Dr. Page has been teaching the Book of Revelation as a senior-level course for MC students,” VanHorn said. “Dr. Page earned his Ph.D. in Greek and New Testament Studies and is highly qualified to lecture on the Book of Revelation.
“With Dr. Page’s anticipated retirement in May of 2023, his peers; acknowledgment of his value to the University is very timely.”
Page said the acknowledgment deeply touched him.
“I was overwhelmed when Dr. VanHorn called my name as this year’s Distinguished Lecturer for the School of Arts and Sciences,” he said. “I feel that so many other members of our faculty are far more qualified than I. However, I feel that it is a great honor to have been chosen.”
A 1976 graduate of Auburn University with a degree in animal science, he left a beef cattle research post at Auburn for four years to become a full-time preacher. He received his master's in divinity and his doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
After graduating from seminary, Page pastored Mt. Zion Baptist Church at Osyka in Pike County. He spent five years as pastor of First Baptist Church in Wiggins before serving 14 years as pastor of First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has served on the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, and is the director of the Institute of Christian Leadership at MC.
Page teaches Old and New Testament, Revelation, Greek, and the Development of Christian Worship. His areas of expertise include the New Testament and Greek.
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