Common Places

"Elitism or Egalitarianism? The Lessons of Early Modern Classical Education" - Dr. Michael Lynch by Davenant Institute

"The Liberal Arts and the Art of Service" - Dr. Gene Edward Veith by Davenant Institute

"Stewardship or Domination: Christianity and Classical Education" - Robert Snyder by Davenant Institute

"Subalternation and the Liberal Arts: Vocation and Friendship with God" - Brandon Spun by Davenant Institute

"The Love that Moves the Sun and All Other Stars" - Gregory Wilbur and Nathan Johnson by Davenant Institute

This exposition of Psalm 104 was presented by our Davenant House Director, Michael Hughes, to a group of undergraduate students at North Greenville University. Through an exploration of Psalm 104, the Psalmist brings to life the brushstrokes and beauty of divine providence as they shine forth to us through the canvas of God's creation. Far from being simply a heady doctrine worthy of mental assent...

A lecture with Q&A by Davenant Hall Teaching Fellow Patrick Stefan entitled "Resurrecting Romans: Pauling Resurrection, Baptism, and Kingdom Life." In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul says that we were baptized into the resurrection of Jesus. A powerful declaration - but what does it mean? How does it fit into his epistle to the Romans as a whole? How does it relate to the practice of baptism...

In this talk, Pastor Brian Lund first gave a historical overview of how reformers learned to transition to a distinctly Prostestant manner of conducting funerals. At first there was a cold opposition to any formality related to honoring the dead in Christ or for following a worshipful liturgy. This would come later, but as it did new insights were formed as to how churches could give comfort to th...

Dr. Brad Littlejohn's paper entitled, "The Story of the Reformation Through the Life of Peter Martyr Vermigli" shows how the life of one man in a community of like-minded pace setters can change the direction of a culture for good. Vermigli, though born in Italy, was to become one of the early reformers whose practical and academic abilities benefited Protestant groups across Europe. Brad's talk g...

The full title of this talk is "You Become Whom You Admire: How Our Heroes Shape Our Desires or What Desires Should Influence a Christian’s Choice of Heroes" by Rev. Matt Miller. Matt Miller is the Greenville, SC regional director for the C. S. Lewis Institute based in Washington D.C. In this keynote address, Matt gave basic principles for choosing our heroes wisely and in accordance with the mott...

The full title of this paper is “Biography as Theology Reconsidered: The Role of Biography in Cultivating Theological Wisdom.” Dr. Nathan Finn is Provost at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC. His paper highlighted key principles for how we can learn from the lives of our leaders in both their noble commitments as well as their foibles. Given the theme of the conference was, "The Power...

his Davenant Discussion is part 2 of 2 talks on Daniel and the book's relevance for our times. Peter VanDoodeward is pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, OPC in Taylors, SC. Pastor VanDoodeward gives practical advice for how to live in a culture that is increasingly less friendly and even in opposition to the Christian way of life and wisdom, how to remain calm in times of uncertainty and resol...

This Davenant Discussion is part 1 of 2 talks on Daniel and the book's relevance for our times. Peter VanDoodeward is pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, OPC in Taylors, SC. Pastor VanDoodeward makes comparisons between our present time and that of the prophet Daniel to show how the issues confronting Christians today are of a difficulty similar to those faced by Daniel and his friends in orde...

A lecture with Q&A by Davenant Institute Vice President, Colin Redemer entitled "Live Not by Dreher Alone: Soviet Dissidents, the Church, and Our Transhumanist Moment." Writers such as Jordan Peterson and Rod Dreher have popularized the comparison of our society to that which immediately preceded the the USSR. In place of "hard totalitarianism", we supposedly live under "soft totalitarianism". Man...

The subtitle of this talk is "Fear of the Divine in Scripture and in H.P. Lovecraft." In this talk, Shepherd gives a fascinating look at how the curious writings of Lovecraft give a window on the fear of God. This provides a contrast for how the fear of the Lord is presented in Scripture and how that attitude of heart is essential for the calming effect of Christian wisdom. "Shep," as his friends...

The subtitle to this talk is "Wisdom From Middle Earth as a Shadow Grows." In this paper, Hughes examines how Tolkein's use of story unfolds wisdom for living in ways the prove helpful even when we may not be initially aware of our need for it. Michael Hughes is Director of Davenant House, the study center for the Davenant Institute located in Landrum, South Carolina.

The subtitle to this talk by Haley Schvaneveldt is "Simple Truth in the Midst of Complexity in John Donne's sonnets." John Donne's sonnets have perplexed some scholars for how his faith in God seems conflicted though not abandoned. Haley gives important analysis and perspectives on how to read Donne's sonnets carefully in light of both spiritual development and literary devices used by the author.

This keynote address for the 2020 Davenant Institute Carolinas focuses on how C.S. Lewis used his interest in literature and writings to point others toward growing in wisdom. Dr. Williams aims to show how using literature can mature Christians in wisdom to the end that they will be better disciples of Christ.

This talk, presented by Lynette Hughes, takes a journey through several practical ways that literature for children can cultivate in them an early appreciation for the transcendent. In particular, the sense of the transcendent is evidence of good literature for children as it commends Christian virtues to them through story. Hughes refers to the work of educator Charlotte Mason as a model for this...

This talk, presented by Mark Olivero, is an examination of how we can use the world's wisdom literature as a window into the transcendent by cultivating an eye for the Greatest Good. After some introductory notes, this lecture examines 3 main points on how to reading literature in light of the Greatest Good: 1) See the world's wisdom literature as our inheritance, 2) see the ways that Deconstructi...

A lecture and Q&A session by Davenant Teaching Fellow Ryan Hurd entitled "What are the Divine Attributes?" What are the divine attributes? Theologians have always had a rough idea: their names are taken from our creaturely spiritual or intellectual perfections (goodness, wisdom etc.) Yet this insight acquired significant nuance throughout the tradition of theology, nuance woven into the use of the...

A lecture and Q&A session by Davenant Institute President Dr. Bradford Littlejohn entitled "Pride, Prejudice, and Precisianism: Richard Hooker on Why We Can't Get Along." American society today is polarized in the most intense ideological conflict for generations. The pandemic, anti-racism riots, and election of 2020 have all intensified the sense that that although we share a nation, many of us f...

A lecture and Q&A session by Davenant Teaching Fellow Joseph Minich entitled "C.S. Lewis as Sage of Modernity: The Rhetoric of Miracles." Navigating what we call "modernity" remains a challenge for Christians. Indeed, defining modernity remains contentious. Are we currently in modernity? Or late-modernity? Or postmodernity? What kind of human life is possible in any of them? If the world at large...

A lecture and Q&A session by Visiting Davenant Hall Fellow, Dr. Matthew Hoskins, entitled "Christmas and the Cross in the Ancient Church: Exploring the Mystery of the Trinity on the Feast of the Nativity." What is so special about the baby born in Bethlehem that, to celebrate his birth, we should sing songs to Him, have feasts with our families, decorate our homes, and take days off work? For anci...

This is lecture 2 of 2 by Dr. Benjamin Quinn of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The titles of this lecture series is "The Story of Wisdom in Saint Augustine." From childhood to conversion to Bishop of Hippo, Wisdom (sapientia) features prominently in Augustine’s work, and tracing it’s development in his writings offers deep insight into his thought and life. This lecture series consider...