The Lemsford Lent Lectures 2010

Christianity and Public Life

Sunday evenings in March at 6.30pm

The churches now find it harder to keep a place in the public arena. An Archbishop can attract the media spotlight, but how are other religious voices to be heard? Each of our speakers will explore, from different angles, how the Christian ethic – or a religious conscience – can inspire the common good, within a sometimes hostile climate.

7th March, 2010      The Revd Dr David Munchin
Vicar of St Mary Magdalene Hatfield Hyde, Welwyn Garden City

David Munchin continued his studies in philosophy and theology, after ordination, whilst serving at St Albans Cathedral, and now in the Parish of Hatfield Hyde. He is preparing a book for publication by Brill. He has a particular interest in epistemology – the study of what we claim to know and how we know it. How does religious belief stand, in a world where divisions of facts, values, opinions, and prejudices seem hopelessly confused?’

14th March, 2010      Professor Richard Carwardine
President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford

Richard Carwardine has been Rhodes Professor of American History in the University of Oxford, before taking up his present post at the start of this year. His research and teaching have centred on religion and politics in American history. His prize-winning biography of Abraham Lincoln examines the influence of Lincoln’s belief in ‘The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man’.

21st march, 2010      The Revd Dr Malcolm Brown
Director of Mission and Public Affairs, Archbishops’ Council of The Church of England

Malcolm Brown has taught and written extensively in the field of Christian Ethics, for a time working with the William Temple Foundation. He has a special expertise in social ethics and the Christian engagement with economics. He was Principal of the Eastern Region Ministry Course, before taking up his present post in Church House, London, in 2007. He argues vigorously for a bolder Christian participation in current affairs.