Upcoming Theology Talk

Rowan Williams says that we have access to the self by “sifting through remembered narratives”. Many celebrities and politicians write -or commission ghost writers to draft- memoirs. The genre is tired and tiring, often self-serving, and meant to entice curiosity and flattery in readers. When a Christian writes about her or his memories the approach is radically different. One of the most well-known Christian examples of this is Augustine’s Confessions. Augustine’s aim in this work is enshrined in the three different meanings of the Latin word ‘confessio’, namely: praise God, acknowledge his sins, and proclaim his faith in God. For John Ames, the main character in Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead, writing is a form of prayer, of examining his motives and life, and of recognizing God’s presence in everything and everyone. He can be complacent and sentimental as everyone who revisits her or his memories and yet he strikes as sincerely looking for a path to authenticity not only in relation to his son and to others, but especially to God. We shall reflect on the ways our faith can guide us to greater transparency in this exercise.

The Saint Thomas Theological Education Program is at the service of those who seek a deeper understanding of faith and want to nourish their worship and their prayer. The teaching is rooted in Scripture, Christian tradition and spirituality. The lecturers are The Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia, Theologian in Residence, and internationally renowned guest speakers who are committed to making theology accessible to non-specialists. The classes are held on Sundays at 10 AM on the Fifth Floor of the Parish House and are streamed online. Additionally, recordings and handouts are made available for those who cannot attend the live sessions. For more information about our theology program and to receive links for weekly Sunday Theology Talks, please contact Fr. Gioia and register online.