17th May

Frontline Philosophy: Mothers and Friends

Esther Meek, Philosopher, Author

It is in the regard and delight filled gaze of mothers, fathers, and family that we receive the essential philosophical dimensions fundamental to our entire lives. The mother’s rapturous smile of welcome, beheld first by the newborn, forms us philosophically. Throughout our lives, the noticing regard of friends continues this essential philosophical service. We’ll explore how this “frontline philosophy” shapes our sense of our existence, of reality and our involvement with it, our regard for others and our longing for the face of God.

24th May

King Arthur and the dangerous dream of Christendom

Caleb Woodbridge, Writer & Editor

According to the legends, King Arthur was the Christian king of a Christian kingdom. But as the story has been retold in a post-Christendom culture, that's often been radically reinvented. How can the legend of Arthur help us think about the tension between the two cities, the city of man and city of God? How does the Arthurian mythos give us an index of changing attitudes to Christendom?  From Geoffrey of Monmouth to recent retellings,the story of Arthur can both inspire us with dreams of a better kingdom, and warn us of the dangers of confusing earthly and heavenly kingdoms.

31st May

Christian Spirituality at the cutting edge of contemporary culture

Peter S Williams, Christian Philosopher & Apologist, (Southampton) 

"What's happening at the cutting edge of culture today, and what does it mean for the mission of the church? Christian philosopher Peter S. Williams will explain the nature of spirituality and culture and unpack the relationship between Abrahamic pre-modernism, modernism, postmodernism and metamodernism."

7th June

After Jesus and before the Written Gospels: What Did the Apostles Teach and How Do We Know This?

Dirk Jongkind, Senior Research Fellow, Tyndale House, Cambridge

Neither Jesus or the apostles seem to have written anything before or immediately after Easter. What we do have from this time are the evangelistic speeches in the Book of Acts. So where were the stories about Jesus’ life and teaching before they were written down eventually?  

14th June

Enslaved by the Good: Identifying the Idols of Our Hearts

Joel Barricklow, L’Abri Worker

Far from primitive stone figures, the biblical idea of an idol is an extremely sophisticated concept. It helps us understand how even the best people, ideas, and goals can actually come to control our lives. Given this, how can we identify the idols of our hearts? When do good things become something that enslave us? And ultimately, how can we be freed towards lives even more full of good things without our security and significance resting in them?

21st June

Generative Beauty

Rebecca M. cross-cultural church planter in London

“Be the change you wish to see in the world,” declared Mahatma Gandhi. There is a profound awareness of the need for change as individuals reflect on the impact of global and system challenges as well as community challenges. People cannot just “be the change” until they themselves are first changed. Beauty is a powerful catalyst for change that begins with the individual, expanding to the community. We'll explore this both in traditional non-profit categories and then consider how beauty can be incorporated into intentional relational engagements.

28th June

No Lecture

5th July

The First Sexual Revolution: Liberation

Phillip Johnston, Hope Church Greatham

The Western world has been profoundly shaped by two sexual revolutions. The first brought liberation, the second disintegration. This lecture will take us to the first century CE to explore the liberating effects of the first sexual revolution in light of the rise of early Christianity.

12th July

The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God

Justin Brierley, Broadcaster, Speaker, Author

Despite the increasing secularisation of the West, Justin Brierley believes we may be seeing a renewed interest in faith, even in our post-Christian culture. Having hosted conversations between Christians and skeptics for over 18 years, Justin will be speaking on why new atheism has grown old and secular intellectuals are considering Christianity again.

19th July

Understanding the Times

Marsh Moyle, English L'Abri

26th July

Why Can't I Feel My Faith? The felt experience of the Christian, with insights from psychology, theology, and philosophy

Dr Tom Smiley, Psychologist