English L'Abri

The second of three talks from our summer day conference on the Bible. Printed materials from the event are available at this link. For further study: Jesus and the Eyewitnesses (Richard Bauckham) How We Got the Bible (Neil R. Lightfoot) The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (F. F. Bruce) The Historical Reliability of the Gospels (Craig Blomberg) This is a public episode. If you would li...

The first of three talks from our summer day conference on the Bible. Printed materials from the event are available at this link. For further study: Scripture and the Authority of God (N.T. Wright) Words of Life: Scripture as the Living and Active Word of God (Timothy Ward) Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament (Christopher J.H. Wright) Additionally, you can find the two videos from The Bible P...

Saint Augustine once wrote, 'For when we ask whether someone is a good man, we are not asking what he believes, or hopes, but what he loves.’ This lecture explores the primacy of love in the Christian life by encouraging the cultivation of a love for God which deepens our enjoyment of God’s good gifts. A lecture given by Phillip Johnston (L'Abri Worker) at English L'Abri on 4 August, 2017. For mor...

The present time is filled with an incredible amount of options in practically every aspect of life. Our job is to choose—to exercise our abilities to understand, analyse, and decide. This lecture discusses how we arrived at a time of such abundant choice and explores the consequences of this reality for our daily lives. A lecture given by Lili Reichow (L'Abri Worker) at English L'Abri on 30 July,...

The modern world is desperate to live and to die. Medicine has never been more able to prolong and protect life, yet many are equally determined to end their lives. This lecture explores the effects of psychological trauma on a person’s relationship to life and death, the place of shame in suicide and self-harm, and what can be done to help those who are suffering. A lecture given by Tom Smiley (C...

This lecture focuses on the circumstances that gave rise to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, as well as the American evangelical church’s response to both the racial climate of the USA and the Black Lives Matter movement. A lecture given by Mary McCampbell (Assosciate Professor of Humanities, Lee University, USA) at English L'Abri on 14 July, 2017. For more information, visit  labri.org/england  an...

Having previously explored the Dutch Christian philosopher Herman Dooyeweerd's context, critique of modernity, and philosophical anthropology, this lecture discusses his understanding of Western cultural development with a particular focus on his unique philosophy of history and concept of the religious ground motive. A lecture given by Josué Reichow (L'Abri Worker) at English L'Abri on 7 July, 20...

The philosopher Alvin Plantinga recently wrote, “There is superficial conflict but deep concord between science and theistic religion, but superficial concord and deep conflict between science and naturalism.” Both Christianity and Judaism rely on Biblical passages to describe the way God acts in the world. This lecture develops an approach to reading these texts that is generally in line with Pla...

Many today feel uncertain about how to respond to a changing technological landscape. Having previously outlined a few rules for what technology is and how it behaves, this lecture explores what we should do about it and proposes a response that avoids the double dangers of fear and utopianism. The first part of this series is now available. A lecture given by Andy Patton (L'Abri Worker) at Englis...

The Bible mentions a cloud in many places. Sometimes it is referred to as a cloud of fire or a cloud of darkness. This lecture explores how we can understand these various cloud events and how we can avoid some major and popular misunderstandings of them. A lecture given by Ellis Potter (Christian minister, missionary, and international lecturer) at English L'Abri on 16 June, 2017. A native Califo...

The here and now usually determines the nature of our gods. What has taken place philosophically in our view of knowledge, freedom and language to mould us into our current idols? Serving the god of our times means self-worship. This lecture points to the One who said, “Heaven and Earth shall move with the times, but My words shall not move with the times” (C.S. Lewis on Matthew 24:35). A lecture...

When the integrity of Christianity becomes eroded and compromised, reformation is an inevitability. In light of the 500-year anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, this talk explores why the history of the church follows this pattern and imagines what reformation might look like today. A lecture given by Andrew Fellows at English L'Abri on 2 June, 2017. Andrew is director of Christian Heritage...

Christians, even those who say much about ‘incarnational’ faith, can say surprisingly little about the way that God claims our bodies. This lecture explores the intensely bodily character of baptism as a pledge and seal that anticipates future resurrection, adoption, and the redemption of our bodies. A lecture given by Alastair Roberts (PhD, Durham University) at English L'Abri on 26 May, 2017. Al...

This lecture discusses the life and work of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh as seen through the lens of his deep longing—expressed in his letters and art—for a place to call home. 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