A palimpsest is a manuscript or painting produced over a previous work. This lecture by Stephen Meredith, Professor in Pathology at the University of Chicago, examines “the modern scientist” as a palimpsest of three versions of the Faust story: The Faust Chapbook by an unknown author (1586), Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1808/1832), and the late masterpiece by Thomas Mann, Doctor Faustus (1947). While none of these Fausts is purely a scientist (someone who primarily knows or seeks knowledge), the same can be said for those we consider to be scientists today, who deal in various mixtures of science and technology. This talk focuses on three issues raised by these works: 1) the changing relationship between science and technology 2) the changing relationship between the pursuit of knowledge and technique on one hand, and religion on the other and 3) scientists’ changing view of causality – and in particular, of the final cause (telos).

It is often thought that modern science developed largely independently of, or even in opposition to, religion. Some historians, however, have suggested that religious factors played a key role in the emergence of modern science in the seventeenth century, and were important in establishing a permanent and prominent place for scientific activity at the heart of modern Western culture. This lecture explores a number of ways in which religion may have had a positive impact on the emergence and consolidation of modern science, paying particular attention to the values needed to establish its social and intellectual legitimacy.

Flannery O’Connor is one of the most celebrated American fiction writers. Yet she has often been misunderstood by the very critics who praise her. O’Connor was sometimes called a hillbilly nihilist, but she responded that she was simply “a hillbilly Thomist.” In this talk, delivered February 13, 2020, at the University Club of Chicago, Dr. Jennifer Frey (University of South Carolina) explores the action of divine grace in the short stories of O’Connor, and how her vision of grace is inspired by the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas.

A conversation with theologian Gustavo Gutierrez, from a 2015 event with students on contemplation and action.

A public lecture by Orthodox theologian, Fr. John Behr (St. Vladimir's Seminary), presented on January 16th, 2020 at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.

Father Behr drew on two of his recent books, "Becoming Human: Meditations on Christian Anthropology in Word and Image" (2013), and "John the Theologian and his Paschal Gospel" (2019), exploring how the Gospel of John alludes back to Genesis to show that Christ is the true human being, inviting us also to become human.

A symposium on Notre Dame Professor of Theology Robin M. Jensen's 2017 book "The Cross: History, Art, and Controversy" (Harvard University Press) held at the University of Chicago on May 23, 2019. Panelists included Jensen, Bernard McGinn (University of Chicago, emeritus), and Karin Krause (University of Chicago). To watch the video of the lecture, which includes the Q and A session, visit http://lumenchristi.org/event/2019/05/symposium-on-cross-history-art-controversy-robin-jensen-karin-krause-bernard-mcginn

A public lecture delivered by Andrew Prevot (Boston College) on May 9, 2019 at the University of Chicago. To watch the video of Prevot's lecture, which includes Q and A, and to view photos visit http://lumenchristi.org/event/2019/05/hope-of-exodus-in-black-womanist-theology-andrew-prevot

A panel discussion held May 2, 2019 at Skadden Arps Chicago on the life and legacy of Notre Dame's Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, on the occasion of the publication of "American Priest: The Ambitious Life and Conflicted Legacy of Notre Dame's Father Ted Hesburgh" by Fr. Wilson (Bill) D. Miscamble, CSC. Moderated by John Breen (Loyola University Chicago School of Law), the panel consisted of Fr. Miscamble (University of Notre Dame), William Cavanaugh (DePaul University), Jennifer Mason McAward (Notre Dame Law School), and Kenneth Woodward (former religion editor at Newsweek). To watch the video of the panel, which includes Q and A, and to view photos visit http://lumenchristi.org/event/2019/05/life-legacy-of-fr-ted-hesburgh-csc-william-t-cavanaugh-jennifer-mason-mcaward-fr-bill-miscamble-csc-kenneth-woodward

The second of two panel discussions held on March 21, 2019 at the University of Chicago as part of Lumen Christi's Ninth Conference on Economics and Catholic Social Thought. Panelists include Bishop Oscar Cantú (Diocese of San Jose, CA), Galina Hale (Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco), and James N. Perry, Jr. (Madison Dearborn Partners). Moderated by Joseph Kaboski (University of Notre Dame). To view the video of the panel, which includes Q and A) and see photos visit http://lumenchristi.org/event/2019/03/financial-markets-moral-inquiry

A luncheon address delivered by Michael Lee (Fordham University) on April 11, 2019 at the University Club of Chicago. To view the video and photos of the address visit lumenchristi.org/event/2019/04/life-of-saint-oscar-romero