Upper House Commons Events

Join us for an exploration of the archaeological history of an ancient capital that became a historic Christian city. Sardis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known from the Bible as one of the seven cities of Revelation. But before that, it was the capital of Lydia, a legendary ancient empire where coinage was first invented. Excavations at this ancient Turkish city have revealed major changes in...

How do we really know anything — and can an AI "know" at all? In the third annual Dallas A. Willard Lecture, MIT physicist Ian Hutchinson takes on scientism, the belief that natural science is the only route to real knowledge, and asks what it means for Christian faith in an age of artificial intelligence. Drawing on three kinds of knowing (knowing that, knowing how, and knowing someone)...

If facts alone can't change minds, what can? Closing his three-part Friday Night Lecture series, Dr. Rick Lindroth shifts from diagnosis to action — offering a practical framework for restoring public trust in science across a fractured cultural landscape. Featuring Kurt Gray's "CIV" model (Connect, Invite, Validate) and the case for scaling norms rather than relationships alon...

Why do smart, good-faith people reject well-established science? In this second installment of his Friday Night Lecture series at Upper House, Dr. Rick Lindroth turns from the history of American science to the psychology behind its rejection. Drawing on the "tobacco playbook," the FLICC framework of denialist tactics, and Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory, Lindroth shows ho...

In November 1944, President Roosevelt asked one question that would reshape the 20th century: how do we turn wartime science into a national engine for peacetime progress? In this opening lecture of a three-part Friday Night Lecture series, Dr. Rick Lindroth — Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Ecology Emeritus at UW–Madison and Distinguished Research Fellow at the S.L. Brown Foundation&...

This was recorded live at our annual Baccalaureate Service on May 8, 2026.  In his role as Campus Pastor, Evan Tinkenberg reaches out to students, faculty, and staff to encourage the integration of learning and faith. He grew up 30 miles south of Chicago in northwest Indiana, where he was raised in a generously loving family and a rich community of Reformed churches. He enjoys drinking good coffee...

This was recorded live from our annual Baccalaureate Service at Upper House on May 8, 2026.  Michael Knapstad is the Pastor of College Ministry & Internships at Blackhawk Church, where he has faithfully served for nearly eight years. A graduate of Fuller Seminary, Michael previously served in ministry in San Francisco. He's known for his creative and thoughtful approach to inviting studen...

At the heart of the 5th annual Let the Art Speak conference — held at Upper House, a Christian study center near the University of Wisconsin–Madison — visual artist Tim Lowly and United Methodist minister and writer Rev. Sherrie Lowly delivered the Saturday plenary session: "Trying to Get a Sense of Scale." Their talk began not with art theory, but with a life: their daughter Temma, now...

Our culture—and our churches—are growing increasingly polarized, leaving many Christians unsure of how to function faithfully within their communities. Families, neighbors, and congregations feel divided, even paralyzed, by widening gulfs. How should Christians think and talk about this moment, and what paths toward reconciliation are possible? Join us for an inspiring and timely evening with Just...

Singleness is increasingly common in the church. At the time of this event, nearly 40% of Christians ages 30–49 identified as single, yet many described this season as marked by confusion, marginalization, or a lack of clear theological guidance. What does Scripture say about singleness—and how might it be understood not as a problem to solve, but as meaningful within the life of faith? We gathere...

Singleness is increasingly common in the church. At the time of this event, nearly 40% of Christians ages 30–49 identified as single, yet many described this season as marked by confusion, marginalization, or a lack of clear theological guidance. What does Scripture say about singleness—and how might it be understood not as a problem to solve, but as meaningful within the life of faith? We gathere...

What happens when machines begin to speak, respond, and even “care” as we do? Explore the profound questions at the heart of today’s AI revolution with theologian and computer scientist Noreen Herzfeld. Drawing from her acclaimed book, The Artifice of Intelligence, Herzfeld will examine how artificial intelligence challenges our understanding of human uniqueness, the image of God, and what it mean...

What does faithfulness look like in this moment? From sermon preparation to student engagement to administrative tasks, artificial intelligence is quietly becoming part of everyday ministry.  Todd Korpi, author of AI Goes to Church, designed it for pastors, campus ministry leaders, lay leaders, and all who care about the future of the Church. Together, we’ll explore how AI can serve ministry pract...

How should artificial intelligence shape our understanding of what it means to be human? As AI advances rapidly, questions about its ethical, cultural, and social implications are more urgent than ever. A public panel featuring UW-Madison experts in philosophy, history, communications, and ethics as they explore how AI intersects with meaning, knowledge, and human values. The University of Wiscons...

What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of shame, or at least the ability to experience it, is often deemed problematic. To be shameless is viewed as a moral deficiency in such circumstances.  Scripture onl...

What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of shame, or at least the ability to experience it, is often deemed problematic. To be shameless is viewed as a moral deficiency in such circumstances.   Scripture on...

What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of shame, or at least the ability to experience it, is often deemed problematic. To be shameless is viewed as a moral deficiency in such circumstances.  Scripture onl...

“My intention is that you too will find a hope that is weathered and wild. A hope that grows in the composted remains of suffering and produces the nourishing fruit of love.” —Jeske We gathered at Upper House on December 4, 2025, for an evening conversation leading toward hope—an often-unexpected tone when discussing racial justice, a subject that has left many in a state of despair. Together we e...

There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pundits, activists, journalists, and academic sociologists and political scientists will continue to have their say, but this lecture is historical ...

There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pundits, activists, journalists, and academic sociologists and political scientists will continue to have their say, but this lecture is historical ...

There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pundits, activists, journalists, and academic sociologists and political scientists will continue to have their say, but this lecture is historical ...

This compelling memoir shares Calvin Duncan’s journey from incarceration to becoming a self-taught legal advocate, shining a light on justice, resilience, and hope. Phil Haslanger will moderate the conversation. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from the authors, engage in meaningful discussion, and deepen your understanding of hope in the face of systemic injustice. Calvin Duncan is th...

What is charisma? Sometimes the word indicates someone who is simply charming, while other times it can imply manipulation. We often use it to describe that undefinable quality of a leader. The role of charismatic figures in American history stretches from early religious revivals to contemporary political movements. Across every era, Americans have turned to those who promise to restore order and...

The “Formed to Lead” event brought together a vibrant community to celebrate the launch of Jason Jensen’s new book, which explores the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership through the lens of Luke chapters 1–4. Jason Jensen, Vice President of Spiritual Foundations at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA, was joined in dialogue by Tiffany Malloy, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Blac...

Theologian and biblical scholar J. Richard Middleton joined us at Upper House on September 12, 2025. Middleton will explore the provocative question “Does God command immoral actions?” using the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) as a central example, inviting us to engage deeply with the moral and theological complexity of this foundational text. J. Richard Middleton is Professor Emeritus of...