Events

Obedient Subversiveness:

How the Bible Creates Cultural Critics

with Dr Chris Watkin

on

Monday, May 17th at 7:30pm BST

Christians have not always had a reputation for their depth and breadth of engagement in culture and the arts. Where they have fallen short of practising discerning cultural engagement, Dr Chris Watkin argues that it is because they have wandered away from the nature and teaching of the Christian Scriptures. In this webinar, we will see how the Bible embodies and encourages cultural engagement of the broadest and most penetrating sort. We will note that the Bible is peculiarly able to furnish favourable conditions for a cultural criticism which is expansive in scope yet disciplined in analysis, warmly affirming, acutely critiquing and subversively fulfilling the aspirations of our cultural life. Indeed, we will explore just how it is that the Bible creates wise cultural critics.

After a presentation from Dr Watkin, there will be the opportunity for discussion and Q and A on the topic of the Bible and cultural engagement.

Sign up here

Is Having Children Morally Wrong? (Moot Points)

with Professor David Benatar, Dr Matthew Lee Anderson and Dr Jon Thompson

on

Monday, June 7th at 7:30pm BST

We tend to think that bringing a child into the world is a good thing – something to be celebrated, in fact. This assumption is challenged by Antinatalism, an ethical stance which is increasing in popularity. Antinatalists argue that procreation is in itself morally wrong, and should therefore be abandoned. A key voice in this debate is Professor David Benatar, whose book Better Never to Have Been advances the idea that coming into existence is always a serious harm. In this Moot Point event, Prof. Benatar will interact with Christian ethicist Dr. Matthew Lee Anderson, discussing the arguments for and against Antinatalism, and whether and how the Christian faith addresses this most profound of human questions – whether we should continue to exist. A live Q and A session will follow the main discussion.

Sign up here

Does Science Reveal the Mind of God? (Moot Points)

A discussion between Dr Stephen C. Meyer and Dr James Croft

on

Monday, June 14th at 7:30pm BST

In his new book, The Return of the God Hypothesis, Dr Stephen Meyer sheds light on three scientific discoveries which he believes point to an Intelligent Designer. In this second Moot Point event, Dr James Croft, a philosopher and humanist, will interact with Dr Meyer, discussing the cases for and against design in the Universe.

Sign up here

The Radical Christian Enlightener:

Exploring the Subversive Thought of Johann Georg Hamann

with Dr John Betz

on

Monday, July 5th at 7:30pm BST

Hamann is the key Enlightenment thinker that you don't generally get to hear about. He had critiqued Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason before that seminal work even got published. He analysed the key, self-defeating weaknesses in Moses Mendelssohn's capitulation to a secular worldview, and predicted the danger that this would lead to for the Jewish people in Germany. He was admired by Goethe, Schelling, Schlegel, and Kierkegaard, and was a significant inspiration to that great man's philosophical work.

Hamann is a great example of how Christians engage thoughtfully with culture: could he be a model for us, as we seek to be salt and light in a collapsing society?

Zoom Registration Link Coming Soon

The Nuts and Bolts of How We Know:

A conversation with author and philosopher Esther Lightcap Meek

on

Monday, August 23rd at 7:30pm BST

How does knowing really work? What do most of us think knowing involves, and have we got it wrong? How does fixing our view of knowing pay off throughout all of our life and work?

Please join us as we discuss these questions and more in a Zoom conversation with Dr Meek.

Zoom Registration Link Coming Soon