English L'Abri

The entire Bible, both Old and New Testament, can be seen as one unfolding narrative of redemption told by One Author. However, the Bible can often be mystifying in its various genres and ancient context—in other words, very much not like a story when one tries to read it through! This lecture traces the speaker’s journey through seminary and learning to track with, treasure, and translate for tod...

The Western world has been shaped by two sexual revolutions. In a previous lecture, we saw how early Christianity ushered in the first revolution with a cosmic sexual code that overturned the oppressive sexual code of the ancient world. In this lecture, we'll explore how the sexual revolution of the twentieth century overturned the Christian code, resulting not in liberation but in disintegration...

To be human is to be limited. Many of the most triumphant moments of history have occurred, however, when mankind has found a way to exceed beyond these limitations and grasp that which seemed impossible. Yet in our day-to-day lives, we all experience the angst derived from expecting to live beyond our limits and many have found relief in accepting these limitations as God’s plan for humanity. Sti...

Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship. For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at  labriideaslibrary.org.  The library contains over two thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

We will explore how Polanyi’s concept of tacit knowledge offers a path forward in an era of uncertainty and ideological division. As truth becomes increasingly contested, Polanyi’s insights remind us that knowledge is not merely objective data but a lived, embodied reality shaped by tradition, trust, and personal commitment. We will examine how reclaiming tacit knowledge can help restore coherence...

Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship. For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at  labriideaslibrary.org.  The library contains over two thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

Joyce will incorporate her research on MacDonald's love for Pilgrim's Progress as well as the influence of Thomas Chalmers's sermons. Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship. For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at  labriideaslibrary.org.  The library contains over two thousand lectures and discussions that expl...

How should we think of ageing? Is it the same as getting older? Is ageing or getting older good? Is being young and youthful the same thing? Does Christianity offer insights about ageing that are different from our secular culture? Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship. For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at ...

Truth-telling through illusions and the suspension of disbelief. Mark will play around with a pan-arts approach and show that every art form is inevitably an illusion but that is necessary for their truth-telling. Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship. For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at  labriideaslibrary...

How we think of nature is vitally important for shaping our relationship with the natural world. Many Christians are functional materialists in their attitude to nature, whilst many environmentalists tend towards pantheism. This lecture aims to help us understand a biblical view of the relationship of God with his creation, one which will help us better care for and love our world. Please note tha...

Philip Yancey is one of the highest-selling evangelical authors in the modern era, with over 15 million English books in print. He has made an impressive career writing about his doubts and questions of faith. Yancey recently released a personal memoir, which his wife labelled a ‘prequel’ to all of his other books. Together, we will look at Yancey’s life story and his large body of work, and consi...

Peter presents his recent work on Christian leadership. What makes someone a "leader"? What does leadership have to do with spirituality, rhetoric and values? What is the specific nature of "Christian leadership"? And what resources does "Christian leadership" have to offer that can mitigate against the abuse of leadership? Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily re...

Whether we consider ourselves Christian or not, the Jesus movement is the most disruptive, influential and enduring revolution in history. Even critiques of Christianity turn out to be thoroughly Christian critiques. What does that mean for a culture that considers itself to have moved on from institutional Christianity? And what opportunities does the church have to proclaim Christ in a post-Chri...

After forty-plus years studying the understanding of womanhood throughout time, philosopher Prudence Allen confidently asserts that there are but ‘two fundamental principles of gender relation.’ Grasped together, they bring harmony. Grasped in isolation, there is frequently pain and injustice. This lecture will unpack the two realities of gender from the early pages of Scripture and encourage us t...

Some philosophical reflections on the problem of divine hiddenness. Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship. For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at  labriideaslibrary.org.  The library contains over two thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. Thi...

Since Peter and Miranda Harris co-founded A Rocha in 1983, it has grown into an international family of Christian conservation organisations. After Miranda’s tragic death in 2019, their daughter Jo found her mother’s diaries in which she described the beginnings of A Rocha in their home in Portugal at which there was always ‘A Place at the Table'. These stories became the inspiration for Jo’s rece...

Statistics of people reporting that they are feeling lonely is going up, and the number of people in cities living on their own is on the rise. Justin Whitmel Earley writes in his book Made for People, “The current of modern life is to become busier, wealthier people who used to have friends”. Is loneliness our future or can we move towards connection and friendship? In this lecture we will look a...

Panpsychism is the theory that consciousness (or mentality) is fundamentally present throughout the natural world. It has been gaining popularity across a variety of disciplines, from author Phillip Pullman, to neuroscientist Iain McGilchrist, to philosopher Phillip Goff. Jordan Peterson’s ideas on consciousness intersect with panpsychism and it has a following amongst ecologists who want to advoc...

Sin has “surprising collateral benefits” writes Watkin. Chesterton said sin’s results were “pathos and brotherhood, and a thunder of laughter and pity”. In this lecture we will re-explore a core L’Abri theme, Living in the Shadow of the Fall and apply this truth to some of the current dilemmas facing our society. Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the...

In this lecture, we will explore the world of economics from a different angle. Borrowing upon the language of economics, we will be looking at transactions that do not require money and what they tell us about what it means to be human, discussing how they can enlarge our understanding of social life. From this perspective, our very categories of poor and rich are challenged and put in a differen...

Although now spread all around the globe, universities first came into being in the middle ages in Western Europe and nowhere else. What was it about mediaeval Western Eruope’s culture that allowed for the rise of these particular communities of learning? This lecture will examine the roots of the university in relation to key aspects of the mediaeval Christian mind, namely its emphasis on rationa...

This December marks the 200th anniversary of George MacDonald's birth. He is regarded by many as the father of modern fantasy literature, and wrote books that have baptised many people's imaginations, including C.S. Lewis, who said that he thinks he has "never written a book in which I did not quote from him". We want to spend an evening introducing him to those of you who might not know much abou...

For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at  labriideaslibrary.org.  The library contains over two thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit englishlabri.substack.com

Marsh facilitates a discussion which seeks to examine some of the societal transitions that have taken place over the past 150 years and ask the question, “What do these transitions mean for us today?” For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at  labriideaslibrary.org.  The library contains over two thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance...

Despite the increasing secularisation of the West, Justin Brierley believes we may be seeing a renewed interest in faith, even in our post-Christian culture. Having hosted conversations between Christians and skeptics for over 18 years, Justin will be speaking on why new atheism has grown old and secular intellectuals are considering Christianity again. For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas L...