Henry Center Henry Center

In this chapel message, James K. A. Smith speaks to life in theological education with the Augustinian insight that in order to know rightly, our loves must be healed, particularly through the Spirit-charged practices of corporate worship and spiritual discipline.

A conversation with Craig Carter about Augustine and modernity, and how we should think about Christ and culture.

Who or what am I? Who can say? This lecture surveys different theological accounts of personhood as it shows how human persons are echoes of God—Homo respondens.

John Perkins, born in rural Mississippi in 1930, shares an autobiographical journey of pursuing justice in a world overwhelmed by oppression and brokenness. His perseverance through the Civil Rights Movement and his voice within the evangelical church continue to shape how Christians understand justice and reconciliation. With his vast ministry experiences in many different contexts, Dr. Perkins’s courage and kindness seeps through in a reinterpretation of present situations through a gospel perspective.

Today’s moral and social challenges are complex, and Christians are often ill-equipped to address the disruptions and disputes of ideological battles. Malformed responses to the challenges expose not only deficiencies of theological imagination but also a frailty of discipleship. How does Scripture encompass culture and human flourishing as an essential aspect of faith? In response to theological reflection, we will explore practices of discipleship—a catechesis of civic discipleship—that seek to be faithful to a distinctive Christian identity and to foster a rich life in common with others in our pluralistic society.

Christians in the first century were largely marginalized in their world, yet possessed power to develop communities of love and justice that transformed lives. Humility was a chief identity marker for early Jesus-followers. Christian Scripture presents paradoxes related to power and humility: (1) God’s power is often most evident in those society views as insignificant; and (2) Humility dismantles exploitative and dehumanizing practices. Following Jesus includes using power and privilege rightly, especially for those in leadership roles such as teaching, administration, and pastoral service. By taking a deep look at power and humility in the Bible, we can develop perspectives and practices that reject injustice—we will instead find new ways to invigorate our commitment to human flourishing.