PAST LECTURES | UPCOMING LECTURES
September 8-15, 2009 | Dr. Stephen Williams (Union Theological College, Belfast, Ireland)
Series Title: The Election of Grace: a Riddle without Resolution?
- Dr. Williams presented a series of six lectures on Karl Barth and election, with particular emphasis upon the pastoral function of the doctrine. These lectures were free and open to the public. The lectures will be published in book form by Eerdmans.
- Dr. Williams began on September 8, 2009 with a discussion of the issues that arise in debates about election. In subsequent days, Dr. Williams details Karl Barth’s view on the topic of election and the related topics of Christian perseverance and particular atonement, including an exposition of Romans 9-11. Dr. Williams then developed Barth’s single predestinarian view and addressed the doctrine of assurance in conversation with Barth’s own views.
- Taken together, the lectures applied fresh perspective to the views of Karl Barth on the election of grace. The series brought together pastors, professors and students from various institutions and churches around the Chicagoland area, and the Henry Center is pleased to provide media from this series to the general public in hopes that others might gain from these incisive lectures.
Series Outline
Lecture One, September 8
- | The different ways of understanding God that surface in debates about election. |
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Lecture Two, September 9 | A lecture on Barth on election integrated with Barth’s views on Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms. | Audio | Video
Lecture Three, September 10 | The question of election as a determination of destiny, specifically, the problem of perseverance. | Audio | Video
Lecture Four, September 14 | The question of election and particular atonement, working from the John Owen/McLeod Campbell debate. | Audio | Video
Lecture Five, September 14 | Election, regeneration and faith. | Audio | Video
Lecture Six, September 15 | An exposition of Romans 9-11 offering a positive proposal on election, prepared for in lectures 1-5. | Audio | Video
September 11-18, 2007 | Professor John Webster (University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland)
Series Title: Perfection and Presence: God With Us, According to the Christian Confession
- Dr. Webster presented the first Kantzer Lectures at Trinity on September 11-18, 2007. These six lectures offer a theological description of the double theme of the Christian gospel, God’s perfect life which he has in himself and God’s presence with his creatures.
- The series began with an account of the source of the Christian confession of God’s perfection and presence, which is God’s loving gift of himself as Lord and companion of creatures, on the basis of which God may be known, feared and loved above all things. This was followed by an account of God’s perfection: the fullness, majesty and glorious freedom of the life which God has from and in himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As the one who has life in himself, the perfect God also gives life to creatures, and sustains them by his presence. The nature, modes and history of this presence were explored in a Trinitarian analysis of God’s works in creating, reconciling and bringing creatures to completion. Finally, life in the fellowship of the saints was presented as the creaturely counterpart of the presence of the perfect God.
- Taken as a whole, the lectures were an exercise in positive or revealed theology, seeking to display the instruction of the gospel and commend the consolation which it offers. The series brought together pastors, professors and students from various institutions and churches around the Chicagoland area. The lectures will be published in book form by William B. Eerdmans.
Series Outline
Chapel Message, September 11 | Audio
Lecture One, September 11 | Audio
Lecture Two, September 12 | Audio
Lecture Three, September 13 | Audio
Lecture Four, September 17 (morning) | Audio
Lecture Five, September 17 (afternoon) | Audio
Lecture Six, September 18 |Audio
