Upper House Commons Events

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Upper House Commons hosts more than 30 events each year. While we want our guests to experience our events in-person, we know some of our audience is not in the Madison area.

Oct 27

Revelation and Archaeology at Sardis

Join us for an exploration of the archaeological history of an ancient capital that became a historic Christian city. Sardis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known from the Bible as one of the seven cities of Revelation. But before that, it was the capital of Lydia, a legendary ancient empire where coinage was first invented. Excavations at this ancient Turkish city have revealed major changes in pagan sanctuaries during the fourth and fifth centuries AD—a period shaped by the recognition and spread of Christianity in the eastern Roman Empire. For the last 18 years, Dr. Cahill (University of Wisconsin– Madison) has directed the excavations at Sardis. In this lecture, he will reflect on what he has learned through decades of fieldwork. This lecture is sponsored by the Madison Biblical Archaeology Society and the Archaeological Institute of America – Madison. SPEAKER BIO: Nicholas Cahill specializes in the archaeology of Greece, the Near East, and especially Anatolia. His work focuses on cultural relationships between the Mediterranean and Near East during the Iron Age, as well as Greek and Near Eastern urbanism and household archaeology. He has excavated at Sardis since 1979 and has served as the expedition’s director since 2008. Cahill earned his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He is Professor of Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This event was recorded live at Upper House in Madison, WI, on October 21, 2026. Send us Fan Mail Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs. Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons
Oct 19

Is "Knowing" More Than Neural Networks? Christianity, Scientism, & AI | Dr. Ian Hutchinson

How do we really know anything — and can an AI "know" at all? In the third annual Dallas A. Willard Lecture, MIT physicist Ian Hutchinson takes on scientism, the belief that natural science is the only route to real knowledge, and asks what it means for Christian faith in an age of artificial intelligence. Drawing on three kinds of knowing (knowing that, knowing how, and knowing someone), Hutchinson argues that scientism is an intellectual mistake, that the "science vs. religion" conflict story is a myth, and that large language models simulate thought rather than possess it. His conclusion: the image of God lies not in raw intelligence but in our calling to know and love God, and love is more than neural networks. Following the lecture, philosopher and epistemologist Tony Bolos, Director of New College Madison, offers a response on justification, Plato's Meno and Euthyphro, and why we can know things (like love) that we cannot fully define. Ian Hutchinson is Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT, an internationally recognized plasma and fusion physicist, and author of "Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?" He has spoken widely on science and Christianity with the Veritas Forum, InterVarsity, BioLogos, and the American Scientific Affiliation. In this lecture: Three kinds of knowing: propositions, skills, and acquaintanceWhat makes natural science reliable, and where its methods stopScientism and positivism, from Comte to Russell, Monod, and DawkinsWhy the "conflict" between science and Christianity is a historical mythReading Genesis and the "two books" of Scripture and natureCan AI know facts? Can it know how to do things?How large language models work, and why agentic AI calls for regulationArtificial intelligence and the image of GodLove as the highest form of knowingRecorded October 16, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin, as part of the Wisconsin Science Festival. The Dallas A. Willard Lecture is presented by the Lumen Center, a ministry of the Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation, and is generously supported by Fieldstead and Co. Learn more: https://slbf.org Event page: https://subspla.sh/jbfyxxd Send us Fan Mail Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs. Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons
Sep 17

Rebuilding Trust in a Polarized World | Dr. Rick Lindroth

If facts alone can't change minds, what can? Closing his three-part Friday Night Lecture series, Dr. Rick Lindroth shifts from diagnosis to action — offering a practical framework for restoring public trust in science across a fractured cultural landscape. Featuring Kurt Gray's "CIV" model (Connect, Invite, Validate) and the case for scaling norms rather than relationships alone, Lindroth gives tailored guidance for everyday citizens, working scientists, and faith leaders alike — including a challenge to churches to confront "identity idolatry" and a reading of the Good Samaritan as a model for crossing ideological lines. He closes with a benediction on truth, humility, and the responsible use of scientific power. Part three of "Can Science Be Trusted?" Dr. Rick Lindroth is a Distinguished Fellow of The Lumen Center and a Distinguished Achievement Professor (emeritus) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he also served as Associate Dean for Research. Dr. Lindroth was a recipient of the Hilldale Award in Biological Sciences and is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Ecological Society of America, and the Entomological Society of America. He served as an editor for four science journals and on advisory panels for national and international research agencies. Dr. Lindroth and his research team published ~250 scientific articles and chapters on a wide range of ecological topics. Currently, Dr. Lindroth speaks and writes to the public and faith-based groups about environmental stewardship, climate change, biodiversity, and science denialism/communication. Send us Fan Mail Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs. Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons
Sep 16

The Psychology of Science Denial | Dr. Rick Lindroth

Why do smart, good-faith people reject well-established science? In this second installment of his Friday Night Lecture series at Upper House, Dr. Rick Lindroth turns from the history of American science to the psychology behind its rejection. Drawing on the "tobacco playbook," the FLICC framework of denialist tactics, and Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory, Lindroth shows how distrust in science is rarely about the data itself — it's about identity, tribal belonging, and perceived threat. He traces how 300,000 years of human evolution wired our brains to prioritize belonging over truth, and why denialism shows up on both ends of the political spectrum, just aimed at different targets. Part two of "Can Science Be Trusted?" Dr. Rick Lindroth is a Distinguished Fellow of The Lumen Center and a Distinguished Achievement Professor (emeritus) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he also served as Associate Dean for Research. Dr. Lindroth was a recipient of the Hilldale Award in Biological Sciences and is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Ecological Society of America, and the Entomological Society of America. He served as an editor for four science journals and on advisory panels for national and international research agencies. Dr. Lindroth and his research team published ~250 scientific articles and chapters on a wide range of ecological topics. Currently, Dr. Lindroth speaks and writes to the public and faith-based groups about environmental stewardship, climate change, biodiversity, and science denialism/communication. Send us Fan Mail Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs. Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons
Sep 15

What Is Science, and Why Don't We Trust It Anymore? | Dr. Rick Lindroth

In November 1944, President Roosevelt asked one question that would reshape the 20th century: how do we turn wartime science into a national engine for peacetime progress? In this opening lecture of a three-part Friday Night Lecture series, Dr. Rick Lindroth — Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Ecology Emeritus at UW–Madison and Distinguished Research Fellow at the S.L. Brown Foundation's Lumen Center — traces the origins of American science funding from Vannevar Bush's landmark report Science, the Endless Frontier, to today's federal research landscape. Lindroth lays out what actually makes something "science," why basic research matters, and why public trust in science — once among the highest of any profession — has fractured sharply along political lines since 2020. Part one of "Can Science Be Trusted?" Dr. Rick Lindroth is a Distinguished Fellow of The Lumen Center and a Distinguished Achievement Professor (emeritus) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he also served as Associate Dean for Research. Dr. Lindroth was a recipient of the Hilldale Award in Biological Sciences and is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Ecological Society of America, and the Entomological Society of America. He served as an editor for four science journals and on advisory panels for national and international research agencies. Dr. Lindroth and his research team published ~250 scientific articles and chapters on a wide range of ecological topics. Currently, Dr. Lindroth speaks and writes to the public and faith-based groups about environmental stewardship, climate change, biodiversity, and science denialism/communication. Send us Fan Mail Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs. Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons
May 11

2026 Baccalaureate Service - Evan Tinkenberg

This was recorded live at our annual Baccalaureate Service on May 8, 2026. In his role as Campus Pastor, Evan Tinkenberg reaches out to students, faculty, and staff to encourage the integration of learning and faith. He grew up 30 miles south of Chicago in northwest Indiana, where he was raised in a generously loving family and a rich community of Reformed churches. He enjoys drinking good coffee and reading eclectically; ask him for a book recommendation. Evan graduated with a B.A. in Theology from Trinity Christian College and an M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary, where he was awarded the Exegesis Prize. Kim, Evan’s wife, is a nurse who loves baking and cooking new foods. Together they enjoy going for coffee or bookshop dates, hiking, kayaking, and bike rides. They do much of this with their two young kids in tow. Send us Fan Mail Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs. Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons
May 8

2026 Baccalaureate Service - Michael Knapstad

This was recorded live from our annual Baccalaureate Service at Upper House on May 8, 2026. Michael Knapstad is the Pastor of College Ministry & Internships at Blackhawk Church, where he has faithfully served for nearly eight years. A graduate of Fuller Seminary, Michael previously served in ministry in San Francisco. He's known for his creative and thoughtful approach to inviting students into meaningful community and encounters with the gospel. You'll often find him in the space with students on Tuesday nights and Sundays. Send us Fan Mail Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs. Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons
May 6

Let the Art Speak - On Hope

At the heart of the 5th annual Let the Art Speak conference — held at Upper House, a Christian study center near the University of Wisconsin–Madison — visual artist Tim Lowly and United Methodist minister and writer Rev. Sherrie Lowly delivered the Saturday plenary session: "Trying to Get a Sense of Scale." Their talk began not with art theory, but with a life: their daughter Temma, now 40, who has lived with profound cognitive and physical disabilities since a cardiac arrest in the first days of her life. For Tim, Temma has been the center of his artistic practice for decades. For Sherrie, she has been the subject of a memoir and a guide into mystery. Together, they asked the question every artist must eventually face — Who, or what, is truly at the center of your work? Rooted in resurrection theology and the writings of N.T. Wright, this session reframes artistic vocation as participation in God's ongoing work of new creation. No sketch, no song, no poem made in the Spirit is "mere." Every act of beauty and care, Wright argues, finds its way into the world God is making. Tim Lowly — who spent nearly three decades as gallery director and artist-in-residence at North Park University in Chicago — walked through his paintings, collaborative works, and a current drawing series, each one a meditation on human dignity, presence, and scale. Sherrie read from her memoir-in-progress, offering a rare and unflinching portrait of what it means to raise a child the world would rather set aside, and to find God precisely there. The session also engaged Rebecca Solnit's Hope in the Dark, exploring how history-changing movements often grow unseen — like mushrooms underground — until the right moment. A message for artists who wonder whether their work matters. This recording is an invitation to artists, makers, writers, musicians, clergy, and communities of faith who are wrestling with hope in a divided and often discouraging world. ABOUT Let the Art Speak: is an annual conference for artists, writers, musicians, makers, and all who believe that creative expression is essential to hope and human flourishing. Hosted by the SL Brown Foundation at Upper House — a Christian study center near the University of Wisconsin–Madison. 🌐 Learn more: https://slbf.org/ltas 📍 Upper House | Madison, Wisconsin Send us Fan Mail Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs. Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons

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Upper House Commons hosts more than 30 events each year. While we want our guests to experience our events in-person, we know some of our audience is not in the Madison area.