Public Forum Series | Fall 2022 — Spring 2023

Christianity’s rise surprised everyone in the ancient world. This strange sect’s claims—a crucified Messiah, a bodily resurrection, and an ethic that held out the equal dignity of every person—all swam against the norms of antiquity. In short, no one saw Christianity coming.

Fast-forward 2,000 years later in the West. The fundamental claims of Christ are not only mostly “ho-hum,” they are often cast as irrelevant to the daily experiences of life. Today people find themselves more likely to be surprised, paradoxically, by the universal experiences of life than the claims of Jesus.

For those raised in religious communities, we are surprised by debilitating doubts. In the midst of abundance and youthfulness, we are surprised when death comes knocking. In a world in which we are told we can do whatever we put our mind to, we are surprised by own failures.

The Flourishing in a Broken World forum series aims to remind us of our personal vulnerabilities and the contingencies of human life, so that we might consider afresh the surprising claims of a world-changing movement that began as a tiny sect in Jerusalem. Could it be that Jesus of Nazareth might just once again surprise us with his answers to the human situation?

Surprised by Suffering: Life After Perfect, with Dr. Kate Bowler | January 25, 2023, 7:00-8:30 PM

Surprised by Doubt, with Dr. Richard Beck | October 5, 2022, 7:00-8:30 PM

Surprised by Failure, with Matt Benson, Milo Jasso, and Jasmine Smith | March 1, 2023, 7:00-8:30 PM

We live in uncertain and difficult times. Two years of a global pandemic and social unrest have taken their toll on us, and we long to just get back to the way things were before. However, these past two years have raised questions we’d ignore at our own peril. What was wrong with the old normal? What lingering problems might we now face with new eyes? What new challenges and opportunities has the pandemic blip presented to us? The Center for Public Christianity invites you to join us as we seek to reimagine the different dimensions of our life together by asking the question: “Now What?”

Now What? Beauty in a Time of Despair

• November 11, 2021
• Speaker: Dr. Karen Swallow Prior
• Location: Vintage Church Downtown

Now What? Friendship in a Time of Loneliness

• February 24, 2022
• Speakers: New City Fellows alumni Margaret Duke, Gary Freeman, Tyler Graybeal, Melissa Thornton
• Location: Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Now What? Leadership in a Time of Distrust

• March 31, 2022
• Speakers: Rev. Dr. Crawford Loritts and Rev. Dr. John Yates II
• Location: Holy Trinity Anglican Church

The pandemic has only exacerbated our use of technology. We count our digital devices as constant companions. And at what expense? Perhaps you’ve shared a meal with your spouse or a friend in silence, while fixated on your phones. Or as a family you find yourselves hanging out in far corners of the house, each engrossed in a game, video, work or online shopping. If you are looking for a better way for yourself, your family or your teenager – or all three, listen in to hear leading author and thought leader Andy Crouch and his daughter Amy Crouch help us reimagine how to thrive in a digital age.

As followers of Christ, we embrace Jesus’ promise of abundant life. But if we’re honest, the life Jesus offers is sometimes confused with the beautifully appointed, neatly arranged images out of Better Homes & Gardens – and when it doesn’t quite measure up, we become disillusioned or disappointed. Dr. Jonathan Pennington, Biblical scholar, author and teacher, joins us to help us redefine the good life and rediscover Jesus who shows us how to live deeply meaningful and flourishing lives.

The Center hosted Dr. George Yancey for a conversation on race and his distinctive Christian approach to race relations. Following Dr. Yancey’s talk, Dr. Joshua Chatraw interviewed Dr. Yancey.

Dr. George Yancey is a professor of Sociology at the Baylor University. He has published numerous research articles on the topics of institutional racial diversity, racial identity, and anti-Christian hostility. He is also the author of many books, including Beyond Racial Gridlock.

A launch event for the Center for Public Christianity, featuring award-winning author of You Are What You LoveJames K. A. Smith.

Dr. James K. A. Smith is the award-winning author of a number of books, including Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism?, Desiring the Kingdom, and How (Not) To Be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor (2014), You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit (2016) and Awaiting the King: Reforming Public Theology (2017). His latest book is On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts (October 2019).