A Symposium on the Intersection of Theology and Public Discourse
About the event
Join us February 29, 2024 for an online symposium, which is set to be an enriching event, featuring a series of thought-provoking sessions designed to explore the intersections of theology, history, and the contemporary challenges facing the church.
The event is free to all attendees. All sessions will be livestreamed on this page and our YouTube channel, enabling a global audience to participate and benefit from these valuable discussions. This symposium promises to be a significant resource for anyone interested in theological depth, historical context, and practical applications for the church today.
Our Participants
Camden Bucey will open our online symposium, welcoming everyone to the event, explaining the format of our sessions, and introducing our speakers.
Millions of people in the West identify as atheists. Christians often respond to this reality with proofs of God’s existence, as though rational arguments for atheism were the root cause of unbelief.
In this session, Joseph Minich will present the primary thesis of his book, Bulwarks of Unbelief (Lexham Press), in which he argues that a felt absence of God, as experienced by the modern individual, offers a better explanation for the rise in atheism. Recent technological and cultural shifts in the modern West have produced a perceived challenge to God’s existence. As modern technoculture reshapes our awareness of reality and belief in the invisible, it in turn amplifies God’s apparent silence. In this new context, atheism is a natural result. And absent of meaning from without, we have turned within.
Owen Anderson will explore the phenomenon of secularization, particularly focusing on the transformative changes that took place at Princeton Seminary and within Presbyterian education.
Following Dr. Anderson’s presentation, we will entertain questions from participating scholars and viewers who submit questions in our online chat.
This discussion is especially timely in light of a growing educational renaissance, driven by parents increasingly concerned about the radical-leftist tendencies in modern education. There is a compelling opportunity to consider the rich Presbyterian history, which could provide valuable alternatives and insights. This topic is not only relevant to our current cultural context but also deeply rooted in our denominational heritage, offering a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of education.
This panel discussion will feature Alan Strange’s insightful book, Empowered Witness: Rediscovering the Spirituality of the Church in Our Highly Politicized Age. The session will examine Strange’s exploration of the spirituality of the church doctrine, a pivotal biblical concept developed in the nineteenth century, and its relevance in today’s politically charged environment. Emphasizing the necessity for the church to prioritize its spiritual mission over earthly political and social agendas, Strange’s work is a clarion call to refocus on the Great Commission.
Several historians and theologians will provide their perspectives on the book, followed by an opportunity for Dr. Strange to respond and engage with their insights. This panel promises to offer a profound analysis of the historical and contemporary roles of the church, appealing to both thoughtful laypeople and church leaders.
Receive the latest news and information from us delivered to your email inbox. If you provide a U.S. mailing address when you signup, we’ll send you complimentary copies of our print magazine as they are published.
