The "Kantzer Lectures in Revealed Theology" take an academic approach to the contemporary issues in theology.  Led by Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer (TEDS), and patterned after Scotland's Gifford Lectures in Natural Theology, the Kantzer Lectures bring leading theologians to Trinity's campus for learned presentations that will be published in book form by William B. Eerdmans. The Kantzer Lectures provide a platform for the kind of Christian thinking that demonstrates the pastoral function of Christian doctrine by featuring prominent theologians committed to the project of faith seeking understanding, and to making this understanding practical.

September 11-18, 2007 | Professor John Webster (University of Aberdeen)

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.