Megan Loumagne: The evolution of sexual difference and theologies of sin

Christian thinking about original sin and sexual difference have been entangled since the earliest attempts of Augustine of Hippo to articulate a doctrine of original sin. Despite significant efforts on the part of theologians in recent decades to integrate the doctrine of original sin with developments in evolutionary biology, there has been comparatively little effort devoted to rethinking the gendered contours of traditional expressions of the doctrine in conversation with up-to-date information about the biology of sexual difference. In this talk, I will share some of the insights from my D.Phil thesis, which has sought to fill this gap in the theological literature.

Panel: Teaching in the University as a Christian

Teaching in the University as a Christian

Wk 6 MT: 12/11/2018

Andi Wang, Georgina Prineppi, Kezia Gaitskell, and Sam Brewitt-Taylor will discuss their reflections on their teaching experiences (in a university context and beyond). Lessons learnt on teaching well, how Christianity has impacted how & what they teach, how teaching has influenced their Christian growth, and tough times as a teacher.

Jonathan Jong: The psychology of religion – Experimenting with gods

The psychology of religion: Experimenting with gods

Wk 3 MT: 22/10/2018

I’ll be speaking about how scientists study religion. I’ll give a quick history of the psychology of religion from the turn of the 20th century until the present day, and then turn my attention to the current major research programme that applies cognitive and evolutionary theories to explain religion. Then I’ll end by saying something about whether it’s possible to be religious and work on this stuff.

Will Donaldson: Living differently as a postgrad – Lessons from the Beatitudes

Living differently as a postgrad: Lessons from the Beatitudes

Wk 2 MT: 15/10/2018

How can we be entirely faithful to Christ and entirely involved in the places where God has placed us? How can we be in the world of the university, but not of it? The Beatitudes help us to navigate this tightrope and know how to live differently in order to make a difference for the sake of Christ.