Life, Eternal? | 2026 Montalbano Lecture | Dr. Rodolfo Luna

Life, Eternal? Saint John’s Insight into our Innermost Yearning

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rodolfo Felices Luna

Thursday | March 19, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM CST

TICKET OPTIONS:

• IN PERSON
• ONLINE on ZOOM

IN PERSON LOCATION:

Whitley Event Center at Oblate School of Theology
285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, TX 78216

This event is FREE!

DESCRIPTION

Belief in life after death stands at the heart of the Christian Gospel. Just as Christ rose from the dead, we place our hope in being raised by the mercy and power of a loving God. Yet Saint John invites us to widen our gaze: the Father’s own life is offered to us now, through his Son, Jesus.

This lecture will explore the Johannine understanding of zōē aiōnios—commonly translated as “eternal life” or “everlasting life”—and consider how John’s vision reframes our deepest human longings. Together we will reflect on how this rich biblical concept speaks to our contemporary moment, marked by rapid biological advances, threats to human flourishing, and growing environmental fragility. John’s insight reveals that eternal life is not only a future promise but a transformative reality already breaking into the world today.

SPEAKER

Rodolfo Felices Luna, PhD, is Associate Professor of Sacred Scripture at Oblate School of Theology, where he teaches New Testament courses. Born and raised in Peru, he later immigrated to eastern Canada, studying in French and earning his Ph.D. in Theology–Biblical Studies from the University of Montreal.

Dr. Luna served as president of the French-Canadian Biblical Association from 2017 to 2021 and is an active member of several leading scholarly societies, including the Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical Literature. He is the author of two books in French on the Fourth Gospel and First John, as well as numerous academic articles. His first book in English, Hearing Earth’s Call: Life and Livelihood in First John, was released by Orbis Books in 2025.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

The Montalbano Scripture Chair Lecture is a prominent event hosted by the Oblate School of Theology (OST) in San Antonio, Texas. It is associated with the Montalbano Chair of Scripture Studies, which was established to enhance biblical scholarship and teaching within the OST community. The lecture series invites distinguished biblical scholars and theologians to present on topics that deepen understanding of Scripture and its application in contemporary contexts.

The event is an opportunity for participants, including students, clergy, and laypersons, to engage with thought-provoking insights into biblical texts and themes. These lectures typically address current issues in theology, spirituality, and biblical interpretation, often connecting the ancient wisdom of Scripture to modern challenges.